Colombia Postpones Effective Date of Technical Regulation on Labeling of Zinc-Carbon and Alkaline Batteries

On January 16, 2019, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development published Resolution № 16/2019. According to the document, the Resolution № 0721 of 2018 will become effective from July 19, 2019.

The Resolution № 0721 sets out requirements for the labeling of zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries as well as the requirements for the maximum permitted levels of heavy metals including new minimum information requirements.

This Regulation applies to all zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries, which are manufactured domestically or imported into Colombia except rechargeable batteries, button cell batteries, and batteries entered as non-commercial samples.

All the batteries should comply with certain specific provisions regarding physical defects, dimensions, rated voltage, minimum average life expectancy, and designation. Batteries should undergo conformity evaluation and a certificate of conformity will be required from July 19,  2019.