Colombian companies handling polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are racing against the clock to meet the 30 November deadline set by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. The regulatory mandate requires these companies, already listed in the national inventory, to submit comprehensive reports detailing their PCB usage throughout the 2022 calendar year.

The looming deadline stems from Resolution 222/2011, enacted in 2011, which mandates annual registration and updates of PCB inventories for companies within its purview. The resolution not only emphasizes meticulous record-keeping but also outlines specific responsibilities for the identification, analysis, and a gradual phase-out of equipment and waste containing PCBs by the year 2028.

The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has been vigilant in monitoring and enforcing compliance with these regulations to mitigate the environmental impact of PCBs, which are known for their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health.

Companies subject to the resolution are urged to expedite the submission of their 2022 reports, ensuring accurate and transparent documentation of their PCB-related activities. The ministry emphasizes that timely reporting is essential to assess the progress made in the gradual elimination of PCB-containing equipment and waste.

Failure to meet the 30 November deadline may result in penalties and legal consequences for non-compliant companies, as the government underscores its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. As the clock ticks down, Colombian businesses are working diligently to fulfill their reporting obligations and contribute to the country's collective efforts in creating a cleaner and healthier environment.

ICONTEC, the Colombian standards organization is putting forth a proposal encompassing three technical standards pertaining to the realm of cosmetics. While these ICONTEC standards begin as voluntary guidelines, they could potentially become obligatory if they are incorporated by reference into a Colombian law or regulation. These three standards are presently open for public feedback on the ICONTEC platform until November 6, 2023. It is worth noting that these standards draw their foundation from pre-existing ISO counterparts:

NTC-ISO 11930:2018 - Assessing the antimicrobial protection of a cosmetic product.

NTC-ISO-TR 17276 - Employing an analytical approach for the screening and quantification methods of heavy metals in cosmetics.

NTC-ISO-21392 - Quantifying traces of heavy metals in finished cosmetic products utilizing the ICP/MS technique.