Comprehensive Chemical Management Promulgated in Colombia

After four years of drafting the framework, Colombia finally promulgated a robust chemical management regulation. Decree 1630, published on November 30, 2021, sets the ground for implementing a national chemical inventory. 

Decree 1630/2021 targets hazardous substances for industrial use identified by the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification and labelling. The production, import, use, marketing, distribution, and transportation activities are requested to comply with the provisions.  However, substances already addressed by existing regulations, unknown/variable composition, complex reaction products/of biological materials (UVCB), impurities, articles, polymers and monomers, intermediaries, and in customs transit are exempted. 

Consequently, manufacturers or importers of chemical substances over 100 kg per annum are required to submit information to the authorities. This information include: 

• Manufacturer or importer information 

• Substance amounts manufactured or imported 
• Substance identification, including CAS number 
• Substance hazard classification in accordance with the GHS 
• Identified substance uses 

The aforementioned information will be consolidated into the national inventory of chemical substances present in Colombia. This database will be used, among other things, to identify priority substances and chemicals requiring a risk assessment.   

Overall, the new framework for industrial chemical substances is a cooperation between the Ministries of Environment, Health, Labor, and Commerce. These Ministries will work together to implement and make the national inventory operational with a 6-month deadline, additionally providing further instructions on data submission. The submission of information to the national inventory becomes mandatory within three years from the publication of such guidelines. 

See Decree 1630 (in Spanish) 

Last update: 2021-12-17