On August 6th, 2018, Colombia’s Labour Ministry published a decree implementing the sixth edition of the UN’s Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemicals. ‘Decree 1496’ covers the manufacture, import, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and use of chemical substances and mixtures detailing the responsibilities of each actor in the chemicals supply chain.

Dates for transitional implementation periods are yet to be set by ‘The Ministries of Labour, Agriculture, Transportation and Health’ and are expected to cover;

• Transportation of chemical goods

• Workplace chemical products

• Agricultural pesticides

• Consumer chemical products

The adoption of the GHS is the result of Columbia’s entry into the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in May. In July, the organisation installed a mandatory process for members to implement GHS.

To further increase efforts to comply with the OECD’s membership requirements, Colombia also recently published a draft decree on regulating the management of industrial-use chemicals.

For further details on how we can support you with your GHS obligations, call a member of our expert team on +44(0)1524 510278 or email info@yordasgroup.com.