Colombia
Decree 1496 of 2018

How is GHS implemented
in Colombia?

Colombia implements the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) through Decree 1496 of 2018, which establishes the elements of hazard communication, labels and SDS, and Resolution 773 of 2021, which defines the actions that employers must take in the workplace to implement the GHS.

What is Decree 1496 of 2018?

Colombia formally adopted the sixth edition of the GHS through Decree 1496 of 2018 on the adoption of the GHS in the national territory and implemented it in the workplace through Resolution 773 of 2021.

Decree 1496 of 2018 entered into force on August 6, 2018 and Resolution 773 of 2021, on April 7, 2021. It is mandatory for substances from 7 April 2023 and for mixtures from 7 April 2024.

The competent Colombian authority responsible for the adaptation of the GHS is the Ministry of Labour and Health.

Decree 1496 of 2018 applies to hazardous chemical products in general, although the following categories are excluded: pharmaceutical products, food additives, cosmetics, hazardous waste and pesticide residues in food.

What are the most important points of Resolution 773 of 2021?

• Both the SDS and the label must be written in Spanish language. They should be reviewed and updated, if necessary, every 5 years.
• The SDS must follow the directives of Annex 4 of the GHS Revision 6th and Articles 16 to 19 of Resolution 773 of 2021.
  • It should follow the 16-section format.
  • It must be available in electronic or physical format.
  • Section 1.4 must display a local or toll-free emergency phone number that is available 24/7.
  • The workplace environmental limit values in Section 8 shall correspond to the values established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).
• The labeling guidelines are set out in Articles 7 to 15 of Resolution 773 of 2021. The minimum labeling requirements include: product and supplier identification, pictograms, warning words, H and P phrases, nominal quantity of the product and the batch number where applicable.
  • Relevantly, those substances that contribute to the classification of the final product by contributing acute toxicity, ocular damage or skin corrosion, reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, STOT or skin or respiratory sensitization, must be indicated on the label.
  • The size of the label is established by Regulation 1272 of 2008 of the European Union (CLP) and must be proportional to the packaging as established in Table 4 of Resolution 773 of 2021.
  • The pictogram must be as indicated by GHS, however, if the chemical is not intended to leave the workplace, the black border can be used on the pictogram.
  • Containers smaller than 30 ml must have at least the registration of the product name and pictograms.

What other chemical regulatory requirements apply in Colombia?

• Decree 1609 of 2002, in force since July 31, 2002, establishes the regulations on the handling and land transport of dangerous goods by road. It is also advisable to comply with the Colombian Technical Standard NTC 1692 on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Classification and Labelling, of a voluntary nature.
• · Decree 1630 of 2021 published by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, follows the European REACH model and establishes the legal framework for creating the National Inventory of Chemical Substances for Industrial Use (INSQUI) in order to create an official database in Colombia. All dangerous substances manufactured/imported in quantities exceeding 100 kg per year must be registered. Notification for smaller amounts is voluntary. Today the inventory has more than 4400 registered substances. Substances not listed in the INSQUI are considered new and must undergo an environmental or health risk assessment. If they also meet the prioritization criteria, they must perform an additional risk assessment.
• Foreign manufacturers can register their products through a local importer.
• It is possible to apply to the confidential business information (CBI) so the name and CAS number of the substances approved as CBI, may be omitted from the SDS. This information may also be omitted from the labelling. To obtain the CBI approval, it must be justified that the omitted information does not compromise the safety and health of workers.
• Colombia belongs to the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), and its guidelines are used to regulate and manage the following products:
  • Pesticides are regulated under Decision 804 on the Andean Standard for the Registration and Control of Chemical Pesticides for Agricultural Use. Its regulatory entity in the country is the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, through the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA). The general bases for the use and management of pesticides in Colombia are dictated in Decree 1843 of 1991 and its subsequent updates.
  • Cosmetics are regulated under Decision 944 in force since June 24, 2025. The national authority in charge of enforcement is the National Institute for Drug and Food Surveillance (INVIMA). Decree 219 of 1998 in force since February 5, 1998 regulates the sanitary regimes of quality control and surveillance of cosmetic products in Colombia.
  • Detergents are included in Decision 908 on the Harmonization of legislation on household hygiene products and absorbent personal hygiene products of December 29, 2022. The national responsible for domestic use is INVIMA and for industrial use the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA). In addition, Decree 1545 of 1998 establishes the Regulation of Sanitary Regimes, Quality Control and Surveillance of toilet, hygiene and cleaning products for domestic use in the country.

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