Colombian GHS Came into Force in April 2023

On April 9, 2021, resolution 0773/2021, the regulation governing GHS in workplace in Colombia, was released in the country’s official journal. According to Resolution 0773/2021, classification and labeling of chemical products, and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) shall be prepared based on UN GHS Rev.6 while carcinogenicity classification is based on the requirements of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

A transitional period for this regulation to come into force is as follows:

• April 7, 2023, for pure substances and diluted solutions; and
• April 7, 2024, for mixtures

Currently, the transitional period for pure substances and diluted solutions has come to a close.

Resolution 0773/2021 requires all hazardous chemicals used in the workplace must have labels. The following elements shall be contained in the label:

• Product identification;
• Details of the supplier;
• Hazard pictograms;
• Signal words;
• Hazard statements; and
• Precautionary statements.

For non-hazardous chemicals, at least product identification, information about the supplier, and precautionary statements must be indicated. For labels of small packages (whose volume is lower than 30ml), at least the product name and hazard pictograms must be indicated. If chemicals are stored in stationary tanks, labels must be posted at any discharge sites or in any other places where workers may come into contact. Additional information may be indicated on labels, such as the nominal quantity or batch number of chemicals inside. Label sizes shall be subject to the requirements of EU Regulation 1272/2008, and label sizes must be proportional to the size and shape of containers.

Resolution 0773/2021 also sets cut-off values/concentration limits for mixtures whose ingredients are classified as carcinogens, reproductive toxicity, and specific target organ toxicity, and the concentration limits for mixture classification. Ingredients that contribute to the classification of acute toxicity, skin corrosion or eye damage, reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, specific target organ toxicity, or skin/respiratory sensitization shall be indicated on the label.

According to Article 16 of Resolution 0773/2021, employers must guarantee that manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of hazardous chemicals shall provide SDSs in the workplace where hazardous chemicals are used and stored.  A local emergency or toll-free telephone number that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week must be provided on SDSs whether it is a fixed or mobile number. The occupational exposure limits in section 8 of SDS must comply with those established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) that enters into force on the date of SDS preparation or updating. The SDSs should also provide personal protective equipment, such as protective gloves and filters. Moreover, employers must review the information on labels and SDSs at least every five years. If there are significant changes to the information, it must be promptly updated. For confidential business info (CBI), substance names, descriptions of mixture components, and CAS numbers can be omitted. CBI must be claimed in the SDS.

Furthermore, to establish a national inventory of industrial chemicals in Colombia, products identified as hazardous chemicals under GHS must be registered through the official platform (www.sical.gov.co) before May 30, 2025. Single substances, multi-component substances, and mixtures are all subject to registration. During registration, SDSs and labels are deemed important documents.

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