Key SDS Compliance Mandates in Colombia

The Republic of Colombia 🇨🇴 has fully implemented the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for chemical management in the workplace and for industrial use.1 Compliance is mandatory for all hazardous chemical substances and mixtures sold, imported, or used in the country.

The primary regulatory instrument is Resolution 0773/2021 (Ministry of Labor), which mandates GHS adoption and sets strict requirements for Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and labels.2

🇨🇴 Key SDS Compliance Mandates in Colombia

1. Format and GHS Standard

• Mandatory Format: The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must strictly adhere to the internationally recognized 16-Section GHS Format.3

• GHS Revision: Classification, labeling, and SDS preparation must be based on the UN GHS, 6th Revised Edition.4 The deadlines for compliance for both pure substances (April 2023) and mixtures (April 2024) have passed, making compliance mandatory.5

• National Standard (NTC 4435): While the GHS Resolution 0773/2021 dictates the GHS Rev.6 6 structure, the older NTC 4435 (Colombian Technical Standard) may still be referenced, but the GHS Resolution requirements take precedence.

• Review Cycle: Employers must review the SDS information at least every five years, or immediately if significant changes occur.7

2. Language Requirement

• Mandatory Language: The SDS and product labels for hazardous chemicals must be provided entirely in Spanish (Español).8

• Workplace Requirement: Employers are responsible for ensuring the SDS is available in the workplace where chemicals are used and stored, necessitating the use of the official language.9

3. Regulatory and Documentation Focus

The SDS is critical for compliance with the two major Colombian chemical frameworks:

A. Workplace Safety (Resolution 0773/2021)

• 24-Hour Local Contact: Section 1 (Identification) must include a local emergency or toll-free telephone number that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.10 This is a strict requirement for all imported chemicals.

• Exposure Limits (OELs): Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) must comply with the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) in force on the date of SDS preparation or updating.11

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Detailed information on the type of recommended PPE must be included, specifying characteristics like glove material and filter type.12

B. Colombia REACH (Decree 1630/2021)

• National Inventory & Registry (INSQUI): The SDS is the most significant material for complying with the national chemical inventory and registry requirements.

• Reporting: Manufacturers and importers of industrial chemical substances and mixture components with an annual volume of 13$\ge 100 \text{ kg}$ are required to register this information, which includes the GHS hazard classification and CAS number data directly from the SDS.14

• New Substances: Chemicals not listed on the National Inventory are considered "New Substances" and require a notification process that relies heavily on the SDS data.15