Colombia has made significant progress in modernizing its national chemicals regulations, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable and safe chemicals management. In 2017, the country introduced a draft framework for the Comprehensive Management of Industrial Chemicals, and by December 2020, it notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its latest draft law. These efforts led to the official publication of Decree 1630 on November 30, 2021. This Decree, entitled Gestión Integral de las Sustancias Químicas de Uso Industrial (Comprehensive Management of Industrial Chemicals), provides the legal basis for the establishment of the Colombian National Inventory and Registry of Chemical Substances (INSQUI). The decree aims to streamline the integrated management and risk assessment of industrial chemicals classified under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) hazard categories. Manufacturers and importers who handle more than 100 kg per year are required to notify by May 30, 2025, while those who handle smaller quantities can notify voluntarily. After this deadline, the National Inventory will be finalized.

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.