Colombia Has Emergency Technical Regulation Covering Food Contact Glass and Ceramics

In July 2019, Colombia published an Emergency
Technical Regulation covering the migration of specific heavy metals from food
contact glass, ceramics and similar products.

Published by the Colombian Ministry of Health and
Social Protection (Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social) as Resolution 1893
of July 16, 2019 (Resolución Número 1893 de 2019 (16 JUL 2019)),
the emergency technical regulation covers the migration limits for lead and
cadmium. These are:

Lead

Ceramics and porcelain:

• Flatware (≤ 25 mm internal depth): ≤ 1.7 mg/dm²
• Articles that can be filled (> 25 mm internal depth):
  1. Small hollow ware (< 1.1L): ≤ 5.0 mg/L
  2. Large hollow ware (1.1L ≤ capacity < 3L): ≤ 2.5 mg/L
  3. Cups and mugs and similar articles: ≤ 5.0 mg/L
  4. Pitchers (jugs) (≥ 3L): ≤ 2.5 mg/L

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):
  1. Small concave utensils: ≤ 5.0 mg/L
  2. Large concave utensils: ≤ 2.5 mg/L

Cadmium

Ceramics and porcelain:

• Flatware (≤ 25 mm internal depth): ≤ 0.17 mg/dm²
• Articles that can be filled (> 25 mm internal depth):
  1. Small hollow ware (< 1.1L): 0.5 mg/L
  2. Large hollow ware (1.1L ≤ capacity < 3L): ≤ 0.25 mg/L
  3. Cups and mugs and similar articles: ≤ 0.5 mg/L
  4. Pitchers (jugs) (≥ 3L): ≤ 0.25 mg/L

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):
  1. Small concave utensils: ≤ 0.5 mg/L
  2. Large concave utensils: ≤ 0.25 mg/L

Other important provisions within the resolution include:

• A list of HS codes for products falling under the scope – product characteristics will also be
• Requiring product conformity certificates in relation to Scheme 1b, 4 or 5 under the NTC-IS
• 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:
  1. Norma Técnica Colombiana NTC 4634:2014 ‘Ceramicware in contact with food: Release of lead and cadmium’ (ISO 6486-1 is accepted as equivalent)
  2. 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)
  3. 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)

This regulation retains the requirements that were
established under Resolution No. 1900:2008 by the Ministry of Health and whose
validity expired on December 31, 2018

The resolution came into effect on July 16, 2019. It
will remain valid for twelve months – until July 15, 2020.

Stakeholders are advised to check their products are compliant with Colombia’s
latest requirements for food contact materials.

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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For further information contact:

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 Ext. 1419

Email: crs.media@sgs.com

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

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