In February 2026, an amendment to the Administrative Procedures Law (LPA) was introduced, which brings important changes in the way public institutions handle documents originating from abroad.

This update aims to streamline procedures and make them more straightforward, particularly easing processes for companies and stakeholders with international operations.

What changes in practice?

The main change is the incorporation of a new Article 4-A, which establishes that it will no longer be necessary to legalize or apostille certain foreign public documents when they are used in procedures related to commercial or customs operations, such as product registrations.

Additionally, when it is possible to verify the authenticity of a document through electronic means or institutional systems, certified or authenticated copies will also not be required.

Why is it relevant for your company?

This change has a direct impact on the daily operations of many companies, as it allows:

• Streamlining processes before public entities
• Reducing costs associated with apostilles and certifications
• Simplifying the preparation of documentation for procedures
• Accelerating import processes, registrations, and authorizations

In other words, less time spent on procedures and more focus on business operations.

Which sectors are directly impacted?

The amendment has an immediate impact on activities such as import and export operations (customs), public procurement and government contracting processes, as well as foreign investment and the establishment of new operations in the country.

How can Torres Legal help you?

At Torres Legal, we support our clients in adapting to these changes, ensuring that they can take full advantage of the facilities introduced by the amendment, without regulatory compliance risks.