The Colombian Ministry of Health and
Social Protection has extended the period of validity of its emergency
technical regulation relating to the migration of lead and cadmium from food
contact glass, ceramics, and similar products.
This emergency technical regulation was
originally issued in July 2019 and was to remain valid for twelve months –
until July 16, 2020. The Colombian Ministry has now issued Resolution 1163 of
July 15, 2020, to extend the period of validity for a further six months –
until January 16, 2021.
Under Colombia’s emergency technical regulation, the migration
limits for lead and cadmium are:
Lead
Ceramics and porcelain:
- Flatware (≤ 25
mm internal depth): ≤ 1.7 mg/dm² - Articles that
can be filled (> 25 mm internal depth):- Small hollow
ware (< 1.1L): ≤ 5.0 mg/L - Large hollow
ware (1.1L ≤ capacity < 3L): ≤ 2.5 mg/L - Cups and mugs
and similar articles: ≤ 5.0 mg/L - Pitchers
(jugs) (≥ 3L): ≤ 2.5 mg/L
- Small hollow
Ceramics – Cooking utensils: ≤ 5.0 mg/L
Glass and glass-ceramics:
- Flatware (≤ 25
mm internal depth): ≤ 1.7 mg/dm² - Articles that
can be filled (> 25 mm internal depth):- Small concave
utensils: ≤ 5.0 mg/L - Large concave utensils: ≤ 2.5 mg/L
- Small concave
Cadmium
Ceramics and porcelain:
- Flatware (≤ 25
mm internal depth): ≤ 0.17 mg/dm² - Articles that
can be filled (> 25 mm internal depth):- Small hollow
ware (< 1.1L): 0.5 mg/L - Large hollow
ware (1.1L ≤ capacity < 3L): ≤ 0.25 mg/L - Cups and mugs
and similar articles: ≤ 0.5 mg/L - Pitchers
(jugs) (≥ 3L): ≤ 0.25 mg/L
- Small hollow
Ceramics – Cooking utensils: ≤ 0.5 mg/L
Glass and glass-ceramics:
- Flatware (≤ 25
mm internal depth): ≤ 0.17 mg/dm² - Articles that
can be filled (> 25 mm internal depth):- Small concave
utensils: ≤ 0.5 mg/L - Large concave utensils: ≤
0.25 mg/L
- Small concave
Other important provisions within the resolution include:
- A
list of HS codes for products falling under the scope – product
characteristics will also be taken into consideration - Requiring
product conformity certificates in relation to Scheme 1b, 4 or 5 under the
NTC-ISO/IEC 17067 standard - Requiring
conformity assessments to be carried out by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC
17025 by the National Accreditation Agency of Colombia (Organismo Nacional
de Acreditación de Colombia, ONAC) or a laboratory accredited by an
Accreditation Body belonging to the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) of
the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and which
ONAC is a signatory and using the following standards:
o Norma Técnica Colombiana NTC 4634:2014 ‘Ceramicware in contact with
food: Release of lead and cadmium’ (ISO 6486-1 is accepted as equivalent)
o Norma Técnica Colombiana NTC 3537:1993 ‘Ceramics cookware for cooking in
contact with food. Release of lead and cadmium. Permissible limits and method
of test’ (ISO 8391 Parts 1 and 2 are accepted as equivalent)
o Norma Técnica Colombiana NTC 3536:1993 ‘Glassware and glass ceramicware
in contact with food. Release of lead and cadmium. Permissible limits and
method of test’ (ISO 7086 parts 1 and 2 are accepted as equivalent)
- Requiring
a certificate of conformity (CoC) issued by a Certification Body
accredited by ONAC or an accreditation body belonging to the Multilateral
Recognition Agreements (MLA) where ONAC is a signatory (ISO/IEC 17065)
SGS Food Contact Material 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. Learn more
about SGS’s Food
Contact Material Services.
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Camilo E.
Ramírez R
Certification Director –
SGS COLOMBIA S.A.S
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