According to Colombia’s Resolution 0773/2021, chemical manufacturers exporting to Colombia need to be aware that the transition period for implementing GHS in the workplace finishes on 7 April 2023 for pure chemical substances and 7 April 2024 for mixtures. After the deadline, companies must start using the sixth revised edition of GHS for labelling and classification.  

With Decree 1496/2018, Colombia implemented the 6th revised edition of GHS for activities related to the extraction, production, importation, storage, transportation, distribution, trade and any other use of hazardous chemical products.  

Resolution 0773/2021 applies to public and private employers, dependent and independent workers, contractors, apprentices, trainees, and cooperative workers who handle chemical products at work, whether pure chemicals, diluted solutions, or mixtures of these. Chemical products should be classified according to the sixth edition of the Globally Harmonic System of Classifying and Labelling Chemicals (GHS6), as well as the use and management of labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).  

Labelling must be in Spanish and conform to the requirements listed in GHS6. Information on prevention, response, storage, and disposal should be included, unless they are already listed elsewhere. The labels may include the nominal quantity and lot number of the chemical in the container.  

The size of the label should be proportional to the container’s size and shape. Product names and hazard pictograms must not be displayed on containers smaller than 30 millilitres. 

The SDS must include occupational exposure limits determined by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) at the time of its preparation or updating. In this same section, the type of recommended personal protection elements should be specified, specifying characteristics such as glove material and type of filter, among other specifications. 

From May 31, 2022, manufacturers and importers in Colombia have three years to register chemical substances for industrial use in the new digital application.  

Colombia released a registration platform for companies to submit information on the use of chemicals in their industrial activities. The deadline is May 30, 2025.  

Decree 1630 of November 30, 2021, aims to regulate the comprehensive management, including risk management of chemical substances for industrial use that are classified as hazardous within the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) created by the United Nations.  

The Colombian Ministry of Commerce enacted Circular 018/2022 of May 31, 2022, which initiated three years to register chemical substances for industrial use as it is stated in Decree 1630. This is an obligation to register chemicals in Colombia's new National Registry of Industrial Chemical Substances. It is mandated to manufacturers and importers whose chemical substance volumes exceed 100 kg and voluntary to those below 100 kg.   

Information required:  

• annual production and import amount 

• substance identification, including CAS number 

• risk assessment and classification according to the GHS 

• identified substance uses 

Additional compliance steps include:  

• follow SDS and label standards 

• submit information to the national inventory 

• design, implement and make public risk reduction and management actions programs 

Circular 018/2022 establishes the digital application and its filing instructions to register the information requested by the National Inventory of Chemical Substances for Industrial Use, as pointed out in Decree 1630. From the date of its enactment manufacturers and importers have a three-year period to comply with the new registration duties.  

For more information please visit: https://www.mincit.gov.co/getattachment/7ad4c91f-afe6-4c7d-8366-cd2837acf081/Circular-018-del-31-de-mayo-de-2022.aspx