Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 415/2

26 July 2012

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 580/2012

Colombia : Technical Requirements for Batteries

The Colombian Government issued Resolution No. 172/2012 and Circular No. 14/2012 on 23 January 2012 and 9 April 2012 respectively to establish the technical requirements for imported or domestically manufactured zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries. Resolution No. 172/2012 sets out the requirements for marking, labeling, physical aspects and specific technical requirements such as dimension, mercury, cadmium and lead levels, etc. for zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries. Details are set out in Articles 6 and 7 of the Resolution. Both Resolution No. 172/2012 and Circular No. 14/2012 will come into force on 27 July 2012. 

2. Zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries which are subject to the technical requirements are classified under Colombian Harmonized System (HS) subheadings 8506.10.11.00, 8506.10.19.00, 8506.10.91.10, 8506.10.91.90 and 8506.10.99.00. Exemptions include rechargeable batteries, button batteries, zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries which are accessories built into the main products, marketing materials for promotion of merchandise, or personal belonging or hand luggage. 

3. Manufacturers and importers of zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries must obtain the corresponding product conformity certification in accordance with the Decree 3144 of 2008 issued in August 2008, that demonstrates compliance with the specific technical requirements. They must also be registered in the Registry of Manufacturers and Importers maintained by the Industry and Commerce Superintendency. 

4. For details, traders are advised to consult their importers in Colombia and/or the relevant Colombian Decree/Resolution/Circular (in Spanish) which are available at: 

Decree No. 3144/2008:
http://www.sic.gov.co/siyc/memoria/decreto/2008/decreto_3144_2008.html

Resolution No. 172/2012:
http://www.sic.gov.co/es/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=10e39001-e362-4d32-b273-8489bf443053&groupId=10157

Circular No. 14/2012:
http://www.sic.gov.co/recursos_user/documentos/publicaciones/Boletines/
juridico/2012/boletin%20web%20mayo%202012/vinculos%20boletin%20web%20mayo%20
2012/normativaDO%2048403%20CE%20014%209%2004%2012%20Subpartidas%20
Arancela%20RT%20PIlas.pdf.

ENQUIRIES

5. For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact Miss S Y TANG at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,

(Ms Cindy CHENG)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note ：

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.