Colombia Regulatory Landscape: INSQUI, GHS, Packaging and Imports

Working Heroes
4 days ago
2 min read

July 2026 update: INSQUI is operational. For covered parties, the update for 2025 information is due by September 30, 2026, according to current guidance from Colombia's Ministry of Environment.

Colombia combines horizontal hazard-communication rules with a chemical inventory, risk-management mechanisms, environmental reporting, packaging obligations, and product-specific import controls. Market entry requires integrated review of composition, volume, use, tariff classification, and local responsibilities.

1. GHS and hazard communication

Decree 1496/2018 adopted the GHS in Colombia. For workplaces, Resolution 773/2021 details employer actions for classification, labeling, safety data sheets, training, and chemical-information management. Composition, classification, label, SDS, and actual use should remain aligned.

2. INSQUI: National Inventory of Industrial-Use Chemical Substances

Decree 1630/2021 structured the inventory and integrated management of hazardous industrial-use chemicals. Under official guidance available in 2026, manufacturers and importers of covered substances, including substances in mixtures, should assess reporting when annual volumes exceed 100 kg, subject to exclusions and system instructions.

Consolidate chemical identity, CAS number where applicable, GHS classification, uses, and quantities.
Assess substances within mixtures and the Colombian importer's responsibilities.
Update information annually and retain supporting records.

3. Chemical risk management and future developments

Decree 1630 also provides for prioritization, assessment, and risk-reduction programs. In June and July 2026, the Ministry consulted draft criteria for identifying priority industrial chemicals. Because the proposal was not final at the close of consultation, companies should monitor the final instrument before treating the draft as a binding obligation.

4. Packaging, single-use plastics, and producer responsibility

Packaging-waste management was established under Resolution 1407/2018 and materially revised by Resolution 803/2024 in connection with Law 2232/2022. Producers of packaging and certain single-use plastic products should assess management plans, market-placement baselines, collection and recovery targets, recycled-content requirements, certification, and progress reporting.

5. Environmental registers, emissions, and hazardous waste

Resolution 839/2023 updated the Unified Environmental Register and incorporated the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register. Applicable modules depend on sector, facility, permits, emissions, and waste streams. The review should be performed at establishment level rather than only at corporate level.

6. Regulated products and imports

VUCE centralizes import registrations, licenses, and agency approvals. Products regulated by INVIMA, ICA, the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce, or other authorities may require sanitary registration, notification, license, certificate, authorization, or conformity assessment before arrival or customs clearance. Tariff classification should be reviewed together with regulatory product classification.

Colombia market-entry checklist

Define the product, composition, use, users, claims, and tariff subheading.
Identify the manufacturer, importer, registration holder, and local responsible parties.
Assess GHS, SDS, labels, volumes, and INSQUI reporting.
Map environmental registers, waste, emissions, and packaging obligations.
Confirm licenses, registrations, and VUCE approvals before shipment.
Maintain regulatory intelligence for consultations, priority lists, and sector changes.

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