Peru Chemical Regulations: GHS Implementation and Future Developments

From March 18 to 20 2025, Peru actively participated in the Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 25th Conference of the Parties (PreCOP 2025) on the Basel, Stockholm, and Rotterdam Conventions, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. During this meeting, key issues related to the management of chemical products and hazardous waste were discussed, particularly the progress made in the implementation of the Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Basel Conventions, as well as the Minamata Mercury Convention.

In this context, the creation of a roadmap to improve chemical management in the region was proposed, in line with commitments made at the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly. Additionally, strategies to strengthen the Global Framework for Chemicals and the sustainable management of waste were discussed.

Peru, represented by the Ministry of the Environment (Minam), presides over the Intergovernmental Network on Chemicals and Waste for Latin America and the Caribbean. Under this responsibility, Peru has promoted the coordination of public policies and international cooperation strategies for the sustainable management of chemicals and waste.

Gari Pascual, Director General of Environmental Quality at Minam, highlighted the impact of Peru's leadership in the region, stating, "... We are currently developing the 2026-2029 Action Plan, which will be presented at the XIV Forum of Ministers of Environment in Lima this October."  He also shared that a survey had been conducted to identify the priorities of different countries for the next four years. Preliminary results highlight areas such as training to prevent the illicit trafficking of such products, the development of specialized inventories, and the generation of information on chemicals in plastics, among other relevant topics.

The COP 2025 will take place from April 28 to May 9, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. During this event, agreements will be made regarding proposed amendments, inclusions, and exemptions under international conventions, which were presented during preliminary meetings and aim to support environmental goals. For more information, the article can be found here (in Spanish).

The General Secretariat of the Andean Community has issued Resolution No. 2458, postponing the enforcement date of Resolution No. 2310, which establishes the Andean Technical Regulation on the Labeling of Cosmetic Products. The new compliance deadline is now set for December 17, 2025.

Background on Resolution 2310

Resolution 2310, originally published on December 16, 2022, set out harmonized labeling requirements for cosmetic products in the Andean Community (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru). The regulation aims to prevent misleading claims and protect consumer health and safety, ensuring that product labels contain clear and accurate information.

Key labeling requirements include:

• Product name and function
• Manufacturer or importer details
• Country of origin
• List of ingredients using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI)
• Expiry date or shelf life
• Warnings and usage instructions (where applicable)

Additionally, the regulation prohibits misleading statements regarding therapeutic properties and ensures that compliance does not create unnecessary technical barriers to trade.

Decision to Extend the Deadline

The regulation was initially set to take effect 24 months after publication, making it enforceable from December 16, 2024. However, industry stakeholders expressed concerns over the time required for compliance, particularly regarding labeling modifications and process adjustments.

In response, the Andean Committee on Quality and the Group of Government Experts on Health Legislation Harmonization reviewed the issue in meetings held on November 29 and December 3, 2024. Both bodies endorsed the one-year extension, acknowledging the industry's need for additional time to adapt to the new standards.

Implications for the Cosmetic Industry

This extension provides cosmetic manufacturers and distributors additional time to ensure compliance with the regulation. It aims to prevent potential supply chain disruptions and facilitate a smoother transition to the updated labeling requirements. Gonzalo Gutiérrez Reinel, Secretary General of the Andean Community, signed the resolution, confirming its immediate entry into force upon publication in the Official Gazette of the Cartagena Agreement, for further details you can find the Resolution here (in Spanish).