Colombia: Postponement of several technical regulations for vehicles

 

Colombia has recently published several regulations postponing the entry into force of technical requirements for motor vehicles.

The Republic of Colombia has notified the following Resolutions:

• Resolution No. 20223040044585 of 2 August 2022 issuing the Technical Regulation applicable to braking systems and their components for use in motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers and introducing other provisions

• Resolution No. 20243040035945 of 1 August 2024 postponing the entry into force of Resolution No. 20223040044585 of 2022 issuing the Technical Regulation applicable to braking systems and their components for use in motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers and introducing other provisions

These Resolutions apply to braking systems and their components for use in motor vehicles with four or more wheels, trailers and semi-trailers sold in Colombia, with the aim of preventing or minimizing risks to the life and health of road users, as well as preventing practices likely to mislead consumers.

Furthermore, the Republic of Colombia notified the following resolutions:

• Resolution No. 20243040035225 of 29 July 2024 postponing the entry into force of Resolution No. 20223040044455 of 2022 issuing the Technical Regulation applicable to pneumatic tyres for motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, their installation processes, related systems, and setting forth other provisions.
• Resolution No. 20243040035215 of 29 July 2024 postponing the entry into force of Resolution No. 20223040044845 of 2022 issuing the Technical Regulation establishing the requirements applicable to retro-reflective tape for use on motor vehicles and their trailers circulating in Colombia, and Resolution No. 20223040044935 of 2022 establishing the technical regulations applicable to restraint systems for use in motor vehicles.
• Resolution No. 20243040035215 of 29 July 2024 postponing the entry into force of Resolution No. 20223040044845 of 2022 issuing the Technical Regulation establishing the requirements applicable to retro-reflective tape for use on motor vehicles and their trailers circulating in Colombia, and Resolution No. 20223040044935 of 2022 establishing the technical regulations applicable to restraint systems for use in motor vehicles.

The names of the aforementioned regulations in Spanish are:

• Resolución 20223040044585 del 2 de agosto de 2022 “Por la cual se expide el Reglamento Técnico aplicable a sistemas de frenado y sus componentes para uso en vehículos automotores, remolques y semirremolques y se dictan otras disposiciones” y Resolución 20243040035945 del 01 de agosto de 2024 “Por la cual se prorroga la entrada en vigencia de la Resolución 20223040044585 de 2022 ‘Por la cual se expide el Reglamento Técnico aplicable a sistemas de frenado y sus componentes para uso en vehículos automotores, remolques y semirremolques y se dictan otras disposiciones
• Resolución 20243040035225 del 29 de julio de 2024 “Por la cual se prorroga la entrada en vigencia de la Resolución 20223040044455 de 2022, ‘Por la cual se expide el reglamento técnico aplicable a llantas neumáticas para vehículos automotores, remolques y semirremolques, sus procesos de instalación, sistemas complementarios y se dictan otras disposiciones
• Resolución 20243040035215 del 29 de julio de 2024 “Por la cual se prorroga la entrada en vigencia de la Resolución 20223040044845 de 2022 ‘Por la cual se expide el reglamento técnico que establece los requisitos de las cintas retrorreflectivas para uso en vehículos automotores y sus remolques que circulen en Colombia’; y la Resolución 20223040044935 del 2022 ‘Por la cual se expide el reglamento técnico aplicable a sistemas de retención para uso en vehículos automotores
• Resolución 20243040035215 del 29 de julio de 2024 “Por la cual se prorroga la entrada en vigencia de la Resolución 20223040044845 de 2022 ‘Por la cual se expide el reglamento técnico que establece los requisitos de las cintas retrorreflectivas para uso en vehículos automotores y sus remolques que circulen en Colombia’; y la Resolución 20223040044935 del 2022 ‘Por la cual se expide el reglamento técnico aplicable a sistemas de retención para uso en vehículos automotores’

In this context, it must be mentioned that the Colombia has been aligning more and more with the UN ECE vehicle regulations recently, up to the point of ratifying the 1958 United Nations Agreement.

Colombia recently celebrated a significant milestone in enhancing vehicle safety with the Constitutional Court’s ratification of Law 2290 of 2023, which pertains to the adoption of the United Nations’ harmonized technical regulations for wheeled vehicles, their equipment, and associated parts. The implementation of this agreement is crucial for ensuring a safer road environment, as it will promote the circulation of vehicles and auto parts that meet appropriate safety standards. Key safety aspects, such as braking systems, seat belts and anchors, child restraint systems, tires, steering, and windows, are among the areas that can be improved in vehicles.

This ratification underscores Colombia’s commitment to the 1958 United Nations Agreement, one of the three agreements under the WP29 vehicle harmonization forum. WP29, the World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, operates within the Sustainable Transport Division of UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe). The forum continuously discusses the management of three key UN agreements related to motor vehicles: the 1958 and 1998 Agreements, which concern regulations for the certification of new vehicles, including performance requirements, and the 1997 Agreement, which addresses regulations for the periodic technical inspection of used vehicles. WP29 also creates or updates these regulations in response to market trends and conditions. For instance, six years ago, WP29 intensified its focus on autonomous vehicles by establishing a working group to address advancements in this area.

This achievement is the result of years of dedicated efforts led by the National Road Safety Agency, with support from key stakeholders, including multilateral organizations, academia, and civil society. The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in Colombia played a vital role in supporting the formulation of regulations, producing technical documents to advance the process, and facilitating high-level discussions on the issue.

With this accession, Colombia becomes the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to adopt the United Nations’ harmonized technical regulations and standards related to vehicle safety. This marks a significant milestone in the region, likely to positively impact road safety and inspire other countries to follow suit. Moving forward, PAHO/WHO Colombia, through technical cooperation with the National Road Safety Agency, will continue to support the country in the next steps, including formalizing the process, establishing authorities responsible for homologation, and setting up the technical services necessary for implementation.

[source: https://www.paho.org/es/noticias/6-6-2024-colombia-avanza-camino-hacia-seguridad-vehicular-con-ratificacion-ley-2290-2023]

To find out more about vehicle regulations and standards in Colombia, please do not hesitate to contact the Institute for Global Automotive Regulatory Research Directly.