Colombia has published a resolution to establish a technical regulation covering tableware and articles of glass, ceramic and glass-ceramic that are intended to come into contact with food. It also covers ceramic cookware.

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection published Resolution No. 1440/2021 in September 2021. It has several provisions, including:

• List of HS codes for products that are within scope are provided, with clarification that the characteristics of a product will also be considered for determining whether it falls within scope
• Exemptions defined, including personal belongings as established by the National Tax and Customs Directorate and articles for decorative purposes, but such articles are obliged to have a label, sticker, marking or permanent marking indicating ‘Producto decorative, no apto para contacto con alimentos’ (Decorative products, not suitable for food contact’)
• Standards and migration requirements for lead and cadmium defined:
o NTC ISO 6486 Parts 1 and 2
o NTC ISO 7086 Parts 1 and 2
o NTC ISO 8391 Parts 1 and 2
• Parts 1 and 2 to ISO 6486, ISO 7086 and ISO 8391 accepted as equivalent to the corresponding NTC standards in the point above
• Labeling requirements must be in Spanish (without prejudice to other languages) for product labels (Article 6)
• Sampling must be carried out in accordance with ISO 2859-1 at the inspection level that is determined by the Certification Body (CB)
• Product certificate of conformity (CoC) must be issued under Scheme 1b (batch), 4 or 5
• Testing to be carried out by laboratories that are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited by the National Accreditation Body of Colombia (ONAC), or by a laboratory accredited by an Accreditation Body belonging to the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
• Products must have a CoC that is issued by a CB accredited by ONAC, or an Accreditation Body belonging to the Multilateral Recognition Agreements (MRA) of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), of which the ONAC is a signatory
• Declaration of conformity (DoC) accepted in accordance with ISO/IEC 17050 Parts 1 and 2 for domestic manufacturers and importers until at least one CB has been accredited by ONAC:
o DoC will only be valid for 30 days from the date of the accreditation of the first CB
• Clarifies that products manufactured and imported under Resolution 1893/2019, extended by Resolution 1163/2020, are obliged to demonstrate compliance with the new Resolution

To see the ‘permissible release limits of lead and cadmium in ceramic, glass-ceramic and glass dinnerware in contact with food’ with testing according to NTC ISO 6486, NTC ISO 7086 and NTC ISO 8391, see SGS’s original SafeGuard 143/21.

The new resolution will come into effect on March 20, 2022.

SGS Food Contact Materials Services
SGS’s technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles in contact with food. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Food Contact Materials Services. [http://www.sgs.com/fcm]

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Colombia Issues Resolution for Food Contact Glass and Ceramics SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2021/10/safeguards-14321-colombia-issues-resolution-for-food-contact-glass-and-ceramics]

Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Camilo E. Ramírez R
Certification Director - SGS COLOMBIA S.A.S
Tel: +57 1 606 92 92

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 93,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.