Colombia Regulatory News

Colombia incorporated GHS guidelines in 2018 based on the Decreto 1.496/2018. The regulation provides guidance for ministries to implement the standard in each sector. In 2021, the Ministry of L...

Colombia incorporated GHS guidelines in 2018 based on the Decreto 1.496/2018. The regulation provides guidance for ministries to implement the standard in each sector. In 2021, the Ministry of Labor is the first sector to adopt GHS under Resolución 0773/2021. 

Colombia government’s attitude toward GHS implementation has been vague until now. This first adaptation can be seen as a confirmation of the country’s adaptation of GHS at the sector’s level.  

Almost a year after the public consultation, the Ministry of Labor had agreed on the following aspects of GHS implementation:

• GHS 6th version (2015) adoption
• Follow the European CLP for labeling size
• SDS and label mandatory in Spanish
• Organizations shall keep and personal chemical inventory updated
• Chemicals’ labels must have a 27/7 emergency toll-free contact

The adaptation period differs for substances and mixtures. Substances have 24 months transitional period, while mixtures count 36 months.

Other ministries are still waiting to countersign the guidelines including the Ministries of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Transport.

Colombia is one of the latest countries in South America to adopt the GHS standard. Despite its late adoption, Colombia is also advancing its national policy on chemical safety and management. In February 2021, Colombia has carried out a public consultation on the comprehensive management of industrial chemicals. Colombia’s chemical policy is expected to be forwarded by the recent adoption of chemical regulation in Chile, a close neighbor, and OECD member. 

Late Update: 2021-04-30

In 2020 Colombia became the third Latin American country to join the OECD. As a membership requirement, the country has to develop a chemicals management system, including chemical regulation. The che...

In 2020 Colombia became the third Latin American country to join the OECD. As a membership requirement, the country has to develop a chemicals management system, including chemical regulation. The chemical regulation draft named integral management of chemical substances for industrial use was posted in December 2020 and notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on January 4, 2021. The new proposal is open for public participation until February 26, 2021. 

This draft is now under review from industries in Colombia, and the major concern is mostly related to registry requirements and hazard-based provision. Colombia's National Association of Industries (ANDI), for example, expressed their concerns over the chemical regulation presented in July 2020, specifically for the obligation to register the industrial chemicals.

Colombia's draft proposes establishing a national inventory. The current draft proposes that all substances manufactured or imported to Colombia which present at least one GHS hazard and exceed 100 kg/year would need to require information such as: 

• manufacturer/importer information; 
• annual production or import volume of chemical; 
• chemical substance identification (if applicable, CAS number); 
• identified uses. 

The latest draft scopes those substances identified and classified by the GHS, excepted those controlled by existing regulation, mercury and composed, natural substances, polymers, substances in customs transit, non-isolated intermediaries, and samples without commercial value.

In addition to the Inventory, a registry is foreseen as complementary data for those substances identified as priorities. The criteria for priority substances will be defined on further regulations. Those Importers and manufacturers that deal with 100 Kg of substance or more will have to conduct the environmental and health risk assessment and propose risk reduction and management plans. 

Colombia adopted the GHS 6th Edition in 2018, and it might be the first comprehensive chemicals management framework adopted in Latin America, ahead of Chile and Mexico. The draft is currently published for public consultation, and this might be the last step before the bill is introduced.

Update: 2021-01-29