News Details

Colombia’s Ministry of Transport has proposed a new decree to replace the existing provisions governing the road transport of dangerous goods. The new decree introduces updated requirements for the classification, packaging, labelling, vehicle marking, training, emergency response and transport-chain responsibilities. 

The draft decree would replace Section 8 of Chapter 7 of Title 1 of Part 2 of Book 2 of Decree 1079 of 2015 and incorporate a detailed Annex 2 establishing technical requirements for the safe handling and transportation of dangerous goods by road. The proposed framework draws on the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Orange Book) and incorporates Colombia’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) requirements for hazard communication during transport. 

The draft was published on 17 July 2026 and was open for public consultation from 21 July to 4 August 2026. 

Key Highlights 

• Transport-chain responsibilities: The proposal establishes obligations for consignors, consignees, transport companies, drivers, vehicle owners/holders and other parties involved in the transport of dangerous goods. 

• Packaging certification: Dangerous goods packaging would be subject to certification by an ISO/IEC 17065-accredited certification body, supported by testing from laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. The certified packaging requirement would apply three years after the decree enters into force. 

• GHS and SDS requirements: The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) would play a key role in transport classification, with relevant information provided in Section 14. The proposal also establishes requirements for GHS and transport labelling. 

• Vehicle identification: Transport units would be required to display specified danger labels and UN panels, including the applicable hazard identification number and UN number. 

• Annual training: Personnel involved in dangerous goods transport operations would require periodic training at least once every year. 

• Emergency preparedness: Transport companies would need to have contingency arrangements in place and vehicles would require specified spill-response and emergency equipment. 

• Insurance: The proposal establishes a minimum third-party civil liability insurance coverage of either 2,800 or 3,500 monthly legal minimum wages, depending on the transport activity. 

• Passenger transport restriction: The transport of dangerous goods in public passenger transport vehicles would generally be prohibited, subject to specified exceptions. 

Scope of the Proposed Requirements 

The draft would cover activities throughout the dangerous goods transport chain, including packaging, preparation, dispatch, loading, segregation, transshipment, transfer, temporary storage during transport, unloading and receipt. It would also address operations following accidents or incidents involving dangerous goods during transport or temporary storage. 

Classification, Labelling and SDS 

The proposed framework would establish requirements for the classification of dangerous goods, referring to the applicable UN dangerous goods classes and the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Orange Book). 

Manufacturers, importers and other relevant parties would be responsible for the transport classification of dangerous goods, which would be reflected in Section 14 of the SDS. The proposal also distinguishes between transport labels and GHS labels, setting out specific requirements for their placement on packaging and transport units. 

Packaging and Load Safety 

Packaging would need to be sufficiently robust to withstand normal handling, transport and storage conditions and prevent loss of contents caused by factors such as vibration, temperature, humidity or pressure. 

Operators would also need to ensure that loads are: 

• Compatible and properly segregated 

• Correctly marked and labelled 

• Properly distributed and secured 

• Within the vehicle’s permitted capacity 

• Free from damaged packages 

The proposal would prohibit the transport of incompatible dangerous goods in the same transport unit. 

Vehicle Marking and UN Panels 

The draft establishes detailed requirements for UN panels and vehicle identification. These panels would display the hazard identification number and four-digit UN number and would need to remain clearly visible, legible and durable under transport conditions. Specific requirements would apply depending on the type of transport unit, including containers and tank vehicles. 

Training and Driver Requirements 

Personnel involved in dangerous-goods operations would require annual training appropriate to their responsibilities. 

Training would cover areas including: 

• Classification  

• Documentation 

• Packaging 

• Loading and unloading 

• Segregation  

• Stowage and securing 

• Labelling 

• Vehicle marking 

• SDS 

• Emergency response 

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) 

Drivers and other relevant personnel would also be subject to specific safety requirements, including restrictions on smoking and operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol, psychoactive substances or medicines that may cause drowsiness. 

Emergency Response 

The proposal introduces requirements for responding to accidents, spills, leaks, breakdowns and other emergency situations. Vehicles carrying dangerous goods would need specified emergency equipment, including PPE, absorbent and containment materials, collection and cleaning equipment, fire extinguishers, a first-aid kit and a functional flashlight. 

Insurance Requirements 

The proposed decree would establish minimum third-party civil liability insurance requirements: 

Entry into Force 

The proposed decree would enter into force 12 months after its publication in the Official Gazette, replacing the specified provisions of Decree 1079 of 2015. 

Compliance Takeaway 

Businesses involved in the road transport of dangerous goods should review their existing transport compliance arrangements against the proposed requirements. Particular attention should be given to SDS transport information, dangerous goods classification, packaging certification, vehicle and package labelling, UN panels, load segregation and securing, annual training, emergency preparedness and insurance coverage. 

The proposal would introduce a more detailed compliance framework across the dangerous goods transport chain, placing specific obligations on each actor involved in the movement of dangerous goods by road.