Request a DemoOn August 6, 2018, Colombia released the Decree 1496 of 2018 By which the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemical Products is adopted and other provisions on chemical safety are dictated, which adopts the sixth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classifying and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS Rev. 6) and assigns responsibilities for Ministries of Health and Social Security, Labour, Agriculture, Transport and Industry for GHS implementation.
1. GHS Implementation Date
The Colombia GHS came into force with the promulgation of Resolution No. 0773/2021 Which defines the actions that employers must develop for the application of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemical Products in the workplace and dictates other provisions on chemical safety. Chemical products should be classified in accordance with the GHS Rev.6.
As per the Resolution, the transitional period for GHS implementation is set as follows:
April 7, 2023 for pure chemical substances and diluted solutions
April 7, 2024 for mixtures
2. Labeling
2.1 Labeling Elements
The label shall be in Spanish and shall contain at least the following information:
Product identification: for mixtures or alloys, indicate all hazardous ingredients that contribute to acute toxicity, skin corrosion or serious eye damage, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, skin or respiratory sensitization, or specific target organ toxicity.
Identification of suppliers: name, address and telephone numbers
Hazard pictograms
Signal word: danger or warning
Hazard statements
Precautionary statements
Additional information: nominal quantity and batch number (unless specified elsewhere in the container)
For small containers of less than 20 ml, the label shall contain as a minimum, the name of the product contained and the hazard pictograms.
2.2 Labeling Size
The labeling size shall follow Regulation 1272 of 2008 of the European Union, (CLP on classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures) and will be proportional to the size and shape of the container, as indicated in the following table:
| Container size | Label dimensions (in mm) | Pictogram dimensions (in mm) |
≤3L | If possible, at least 52 x 74 | Not less than 10 x 10. If possible, at least 16 x16 |
| >3L and ≤50L | at least 74 x 105 | at least 23 x 23 |
>50L and ≤500L | at least 105 x 148 | at least 32 x 32 |
>500L | at least 148 x 210 | at least 46 x 46 |
3. Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Employers must ensure that manufacturers, importers and/or suppliers of hazardous chemical products provide SDS, which states the elements in accordance with Annex 4 of UN GHS Rev.6.
The SDS shall be prepared in Spanish and must register the 24-hour local emergency line.
Regarding section 8: Exposure Controls and Personal Protection, the occupational exposure limit values will correspond to the TLVs defined by the La American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) in force at the date of preparation or update of the SDS. In this same section, the type of recommended personal protection elements must be indicated, specifying characteristics such as, for example, glove material, type of filter, among other specifications.
4. Confidential Business Information (CBI)
For chemical products that are considered CBI, the names of the substances, the description of their composition in mixtures and the CAS numbers may be omitted. The employer shall guarantee that the use of said product does not compromise the health and safety of workers.