- Confirm the registration in the STPS public registry, not just in the provider's PDF.
- Compare the authorized services with the service you are contracting for.
- Request SAT, IMSS, and Infonavit compliance status reports with visible dates.
- Schedule your next review: registration lasts three years, while compliance status reports are valid for much less time.
The Short Answer
Verify the following in order: that the provider appears in the STPS public registry; that the registration validity period and authorized services match what you are contracting for; that the contract includes what the LFT (Federal Labor Law) requires; that the provider submits proof of being up to date with IMSS, SAT, and Infonavit; and that you set dates to repeat the review.
A PDF sent by the provider is a starting point, not proof.
Why Verification Is Your Responsibility
Since the reform published in the DOF on April 23, 2021, the LFT (Federal Labor Law) prohibits subcontracting personnel but allows contracting specialized services that are not part of the recipient's corporate purpose or primary economic activity, provided the contractor is listed in the public registry (Articles 12, 13, and 15 of the LFT). In a distribution center, corporate office, or building, cleaning is typically a support service rather than the core business; if it is part of your core business, have your legal team review the situation.
Liability
Article 14 of the LFT establishes that if the contractor fails to meet its labor obligations, the party that hired it is jointly and severally liable with respect to the workers used.
Tax Implications
Article 15-D of the CFF (Federal Tax Code) makes the deductibility of these payments or the ability to claim tax credits for them conditional on the contractor holding registration and meeting income tax (ISR) and value-added tax (IVA) requirements.
What Registration Does and Does Not Cover
Registration is issued by the STPS and can be checked in the public registry. According to the platform, it lasts three years from enrollment and must be renewed during the three months before expiration, even if the registration is updated or modified.
What a Current Registry Search Does Tell You
- Application reference number
- Notice number and year
- Registration validity period
- Authorized services or work
What It Does Not Tell You on Its Own
- Whether the provider is up to date on dues and contributions today
- Whether assigned personnel are registered with IMSS at the correct salary
- Whether the contract you will sign complies with the law
- Whether your specific service (industrial buildings, work at height) falls within the authorization
Verification in Five Steps
- STEP 01
Check the Registry Yourself
At repse.stps.gob.mx, select “Search Registry” and search by legal business name, RFC, or reference number. Compare the information with the notice you received. If the provider does not appear, do not proceed until the issue is clarified.
- STEP 02
Compare Authorized Services
Read the registered activities. If the registration covers a different type of service, request written clarification. This also applies to carpet cleaning, work at height, or sanitizing.
- STEP 03
Check the Contract Against the LFT
It must be in writing and specify the scope of the services and the approximate number of workers. The scope describes services, not “personnel made available.”
- STEP 04
Request Evidence of Compliance
Request SAT, IMSS, and Infonavit compliance status reports with visible dates, along with recent ICSOE (IMSS) and SISUB (Infonavit) filing acknowledgments.
- STEP 05
Document and Schedule
Save screenshots of the registry search showing the date, reference number, and validity period. Record each deadline: renewal, compliance status reports, and reporting windows.
When to Repeat Verification
| What | When to Review | Why |
|---|---|---|
| STPS registry search | When contracting, at renewal, and at least once a year | Confirms that registration has not been canceled or expired |
| SAT, IMSS, and Infonavit compliance status reports | When contracting and at the frequency set by your purchasing policy | They provide a snapshot as of the issue date |
| ICSOE and SISUB filing acknowledgments | After each four-month reporting window | Show that the contract and personnel were reported |
| Contract and appendices | When the scope, personnel, or facilities change | The text must reflect actual operations |
Sources: SISUB, Infonavit and the IMSS bulletin on ICSOE, which operates on a four-month reporting cycle.
Common Mistakes
- 01
Accepting the PDF Without Checking the Registry
The document may have expired or the registration may have been canceled.
- 02
Confusing “Has REPSE Registration” with “Is Compliant”
Registration authorizes the provider; compliance is demonstrated through periodic evidence.
- 03
Not Comparing Services
The authorization must match the contracted service.
- 04
Checking Only at the Start
Registration lasts three years, while compliance status reports are valid for much less time.
- 05
Deciding on Price Alone
A very low rate is a reason to ask questions, not proof of noncompliance.
- 06
Leaving Everything to Purchasing
Operations knows how many people are on site; that number must match the contract.
If Something Does Not Add Up
Request Corrective Action
Set a deadline, and do not sign until you have evidence.
Move to the Next Provider on Your Shortlist
That is why it helps to get quotes from at least three providers.
Escalate to Legal
If a contract is already in effect.
REPSE Verification Checklist
Complete it when contracting and repeat it at each renewal or change in scope.
- The provider appears in the STPS registryEvidence: Screenshot with date, reference number, and validity period
- Registration remains valid for the entire contract termEvidence: Expiration date recorded
- Authorized services match the contracted serviceEvidence: Registration-to-contract comparison
- Written contract with scope and approximate number of workersEvidence: Signed contract
- SAT compliance status report with visible dateEvidence: PDF
- IMSS compliance status reportEvidence: PDF
- Infonavit compliance status reportEvidence: PDF
- ICSOE / SISUB filing acknowledgments for the latest periodEvidence: Filing acknowledgments
- People on site match the contractEvidence: Operations report
- Next review dates on the calendarEvidence: Calendar event
Print it for your next review.
Verifying REPSE registration is a brief routine that protects your operations: you confirm that the provider is listed in the registry, is authorized for the service, has up-to-date documentation, and that you know when to check again. If your purchasing process does not yet include this routine, start with the checklist for your next contract or renewal.
Sources
Use this checklist in your next quote or renewal.
To get a quote from SELIMEX, use the quote page; for more information, see the compliance section.
