WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/N/COL/12
19 December 2001
(01-6390)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:  Spanish
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  COLOMBIA
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Economic Development
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers and E-mail and Web site
addresses, if available) of  agency or authority designated to handle comments
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [  X ], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [    ], other:
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Fittings made of other
materials (glass, cement), Respiratory protective equipment, High quality steels, Wires, Steel
wires, Steel ropes and link chains, Aldehyde s and ketones, Household cooling appliances,
Floor treatment appliances, Steel bars and rods, Flanges, joints and other tube and pipe
connections, Cables, Household heaters and heat ing appliances, Fundamental quantities and
units, Coachwork and the components thereof, Cement, plaster and mortar, Plugs, socketsand connections, Liquid fuels, Solid fuels, Connecting devices, Control devices and gauges,
Metal and plastic containers and tubes for packing, Electrical equipment, Equipment for
continuous  distribution, Body care equipment, Petroleum product and natural gas handling
equipment, Medical equipment, Miscellaneous household equipment, Protective headgear,
Fire protection equipment, Fuses and other surge suppresser devices, Generators, Electricalinstallations for outdoor use, Incandescent lamps, Motor vehicle tyres, Fire-fighting
equipment, Batteries and primary batteries, Paints and varnishes, Reinforced plastics,
Ceramic products, Paper products, Glass products, Aerosol cans, Noise and its impact on
human beings, Brake systems, Gas supply systems, Solvents, Loading and other auxiliary
equipment, Fabrics, Screws and bolts, Transmission and suspension systems, Nuts,Crockery, cutlery and table utensils and Protective clothing.
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Draft Resolution
Abolishing the Mandatory Status of Some  Mandatory Colombian Official Technical
Standards (25 pages).
6. Description of content:  Colombian Technical Standard NTC 116, Hard steel wire for
reinforcing concrete. Paragraphs: 4.3) maximum voltage stress and 4.4) cold bending; NTC
121 (second revision), Civil engineering and architecture. Portland cement. Physical and
mechanical specifications. Paragraphs: 4) specifications; NTC 159 (first revision), Iron and
steel industry. Steel wires, without coating and stress-free for pre-stressed concrete.Paragraphs: 5) chemical requirements, 6) physical requirements, 8) finish and
1.5.4) relaxation properties; NTC 189 (fourth revision), Electrical engineering. Tungsten-
filament electric light bulbs for domestic and other similar general lighting purposes.
Paragraphs: 3.1.1) socket, 3.1.3) fuse, 3.1.6) major physical defects, 3.2.1) rated voltage,G/TBT/N/COL/12
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6. Description of content:  (cont'd) 3.2.2) torsion, 3.2.4) nominal lumi nous flux and 6.2)
labelling; NTC 239 (first revision), Fittings for asbestos cement sanitary piping. Paragraphs:
4.5) internal hydraulic pressure and 7) labelling; NTC 321 (second revision), Civil
engineering and architecture. Portland cement. Chemical specifications. Paragraphs: 4)
specifications; NTC 340 (third revision), Textiles. Textile product labelling information.Paragraphs: 3) general requirements; NTC 652 (fourth revision), Metal containers. Metal
containers for dry chemical extinguishers.  Paragraphs: 4.1) maximum permissible stress,
4.2) volumetric expansion, 4.3) hydrostatic testing, 4.4) breaking test, 4.5) air test and 7)
labelling; NTC 880 (first revision), Common matches. Paragraphs: 3) general requirements
and 7.2) labelling; NTC 1000 (fourth revision), Metrology. International System of Units.
Paragraphs: all; NTC 1092, Electric storage water heaters., thermostats and overheat
protective devices. Paragraphs: 4.1) insulation resistance, 4.2) high voltage,4.5) temperature range of overheat protective devices and 4.7) hydrostatic pressure;
NTC 1099 (fourth revision), Electrical engineering. Wires and cables insulated with
thermoplastic for the transmission and distribution of electric power. Paragraphs: Part 2:
conductors, Part 3: insulation, Part 4: shielding and jackets, Part 5: assembly, fill
compounds and conductor identification and Part 7: construction of specific types;NTC 1141 (first revision), Motor vehicles. Portable fire extinguishers. Paragraphs:
4) specifications; NTC 1152 (sixth revision), Electrical engineering. Primary batteries.
Paragraphs: 2.15) average minimum life and 7.2) leaks; NTC 1258 (first revision), Packing.
Pressurized metal containers (aerosols) with a maximum capacity of 1,400 cm
3. Paragraphs:
4.1) maximum filling volume, 4.2) maximum pressure, 4.3) discharge protection,4.4) special product requirements, 4.5) container integrity, 4.6) flame propagation and
7) labelling; NTC 1275 (third revision), Tyres. Pneumatic tyres, class 2. Characteristics and
requirements. Paragraphs: 3) general requirements, wheel rims, load capacity, loads and
pressure, 4) specifications, 5) sampling and acceptance or rejection criteria and 7) labelling;
NTC 1283 (second revision), Paint. Air-dry synthetic enamel. Paragraphs: 4.3.9) methanol,benzol and chlorine compound content; NTC 1303 (second revision), Tyres. Pneumatic
tyres, class 3. Characteristics and requirements. Paragraphs: 3) general requirements,
4) specifications, 5) sampling and acceptance or rejection criteria and 7) labelling;
NTC 1333 (first revision), Paint. Anti- corrosive alkyd and minimum vehicle primers. Paragraphs:
7.2.8) instructions for use and toxicity, 4.1) methanol, benzol and chlorine compound
content; NTC 1348 (first revision), Double-edge d razor blades. Paragraphs: 4.2) finish,
4.3) cutting edge and 4.6) Vickers hardness; NTC 1362 White Portland cement. Paragraphs:4) specifications and 4.1) physical, mechanical and chemical requirements; NTC 1380 (third
revision), Petroleum and petroleum products. Petrol for internal combustion engines.
Paragraphs 4) specifications and 7.2) labelling; NTC 1390 (first revision), Motor vehicles.
Spark plugs for internal combustion engines. Paragraphs: 4) operation, table 2: point
function, (4) leak-tightness, (5) thermal resistance, (6) thermal shock resistance and(13) dielectric voltage; NTC 1392, Brake chambers for motor vehicles. Paragraphs: all;
NTC 1402 (second revision), Porcelain tableware. Paragraphs: 4.1) thermal shock
resistance, 4.6) release of lead and cadmium and 7) labelling; NTC 1408, Bolts for motor
vehicle steering systems. Paragraphs: all; NTC 1410 (first revision), Rubber. Butyl pneumatic
tyres in wheel rims. Characteristics and requirements. Paragraphs: 3) general requirements,4.1) physical properties, 5) sampling and acceptance or rejection criteria and 7) labelling
and packaging; NTC 1442, Automatic electric storage water heaters. Paragraphs: 3.2) heat
insulation, 4.5) temperature control and 4.3) hydrostatic pressure; NTC 1446 (fourth
revision), Fire protection, fire-fighting equipment, dry chemical extinguishers. Paragraphs:
5) statement of type, rating and requirements, 6) performance in test fire, 7) duration ofdischarge, 8) computation and caking resistance, 9) water repellence, 10) resistance to low
temperature extremes, 11) electric insulation value and 13) marking and packaging;
NTC 1498, Safety matches. Paragraphs: 3) general requirements; NTC 1526, Motor
vehicles. Brake system performance requirements. Paragraphs: all; NTC 1570G/TBT/N/COL/12
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6. Description of content:  (cont'd) (second revision),Transport equipment. Motor vehicles.
Adult car safety belts and restraint systems. Paragraphs: all; NTC 1585 (first revision),
Tyres. Pneumatic tyres, class 4. Characteristics and requirements. Paragraphs:
4) specifications and 7) labelling; NTC 1650 (third revision), Electricity. Plugs and sockets
for general household use. Paragraphs: 3) general requirements, 4) specifications,6.2) dimensions, 6.3) overheating, 6.4) contact resistance, 6.5) operation, 6.6) insulation
resistance, 6.7) applied voltage, 6.8) heat resistance, 6.12) tests for waterproof elements and
7) packaging and labelling; NTC 1671 (first revision), Health and safety. Cylinders for gas
for medical use. Marking to identify contents. Paragraphs: all; NTC 1693 (first revision),
Paint. Anti-corrosive vinyl vehicle primers. Paragraphs: 4.1) methanol, benzol and chlorine
compound content and 7.2.9) precautions or toxicity; NTC 1711, Motor vehicles.
Telescopic hydraulic dampers. Paragraphs: 4.2) flow loss, 4.3) tensile strength of weldedends and 4.4) impact strength of welded ends, sampling; NTC 1783, Motor vehicles. Brake
discs. Paragraphs: all; NTC 1815, Motor vehicles. Electric horns. Paragraphs: 4.1) dielectric
strength, 4.2) current used, 4.3) frequency, 4.4) volume intensity, 4.5) operation voltage,
4.6) stability at high temperatures, 4.7) continuous operation, 4.8) durability and
4.9) corrosion; NTC 1825, Health and safety. Personal eye protectors. Paragraphs:2.2.2) types of eyepiece, 3) general requirements, 4) specifications and 7) packaging and
labelling; NTC 1834, Health and safety. Personal eye protectors. Infra-red filters.
Paragraphs: all;  NTC 1835, Health and safety. Personal eye protectors. Ultra-violet filters.
Paragraphs: all; NTC 1836, Health and safety. Personal eye protectors for welding.
Recommended use and transmittance requirements. Paragraphs: all; NTC 1855 (thirdrevision), Packing. Metal screw caps for threaded-mouth glass containers. Paragraphs: 3.2)
non-toxic coating and 4.3) leak-tightness; NTC 1888, Motor vehicles. Chambers for air
brake systems. Paragraphs: all; NTC 1920 (first revision), Iron and steel industry. Structural
carbon steel. Paragraphs: 4.2) mechanical properties; NTC 1950 (first revision), High-
strength, low-alloy structural steel. Paragra phs: 6) mechanical properties; NTC 1955, Motor
vehicles. Battery cables. Paragraphs: 4) specifications and 7) packaging and labelling;
NTC 1971, Metallurgy. High-strength, low-allo y structural manganese-vanadium steel.
Paragraphs: 4.2) mechanical properties; NTC 1985 (second revision), Iron and steel
industry. High-strength, low-alloy columbiu m (niobium)-vanadium steels of structural
quality. Paragraphs: 6) mechanical requirements; NTC 2012 (first revision), High-strength,
low-alloy structural steel with a yield strength of 345 MPa and up to 100 mm thick.
Paragraphs: 5.2) chemical composition, 6) mechanical properties; NTC 2060 (first revision),Combustible household briquettes. Paragraphs: 3.3) non-toxic binding substance,
3.4) primer, 4.2.3) smoke and soot emissions, 4.2.4) ease of ignition, 7.2) labelling and
8.2) gas limit values; NTC 2098 (first revision), Fasteners. Mechanical properties of bolts,
screws and studs. Paragraphs: 4) materials, 5) mechanical properties, 7) maximum tensile
loads and test loads, 9) markings, 9.1) symbols, 9.2) identification, 9.2.1) hexagonal bolts andscrews, 9.2.2) socket (Allen) head cap screws, 9.3) marking for left-handed threads,
9.4) alternative marking and 9.5) trademarks (identification); NTC 2111 (first revision),
Cleaning products. Floor wax. Paragraphs: 3.2) non-toxic fumes, skin irritants, 4.6) flash
point and 7.2) labelling; NTC 2112 first revision, Household articles. Polish. Paragraphs:
3.3) non-toxic fumes, skin irritants and 4.7) flash point of volatile material; NTC 2166,Electricity. Surge arrestors (lightening conductors). Paragraphs: 54) arrestor classification,
56) power frequency voltage tests, 57) humidity tests, 58) casing contamination test,
60) power frequency voltage spark-over test, 61) spark-over voltage test, 62) residual
voltage test and 63) current impulse withstand test; NTC 2206, Electrical engineering.
Connecting devices and earthing. Measurement, construction, sundry appliances, testing andmarking. Paragraphs: all; NTC 2252 (first revision), Safety of household appliances and
similar electrical appliances. part 2: specific requirements for refrigerators and food
freezers. Paragraphs: all; NTC 2272, Health and safety. Hearing protectors. Paragraphs:
4) specifications, 5) sampling and 7) labelling; NTC 2289 (third revision) Iron and steelG/TBT/N/COL/12
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6. Description of content:  (cont'd) industry. Corrugated bars and rolls of low alloy and/or
heat treated steel for reinforcing concrete. Paragraphs: all; NTC 2350 (first revision), Motor
vehicles. Spherical joints. Suspension ball-and-socket joints and steering terminals.
Paragraphs: Specifications: only with regard to tables 1 to 11; NTC 2356 (first revision),
Electrical engineering. Flexible cords and cables for domestic installations. Paragraphs:4) materials and installation, 5) earthing lead, 6) table of indices, 7) metal, 8) calibre,
10) wiring, 13) joints, 14) material and application, 15) insulation thickness, 28) insulating
and jacketing compounds, 38) mechanical strengt h, 41) elevator cables, 46) jacketed heater
wires, 66) marking, polarity. Identification of earthing lead polarity, 67) separation of earth
or earthing leads in wires, 68) Identification of earthing lead polarity and 84) current
capacity; NTC 2359 (first revision), Fasteners. Mechanical properties of nuts with specified
test load values. Part 2. Paragraphs: 4) materials, 5) mechanical properties, 6) test loadvalues, 9) marking, 9.1) symbols, 9.2) identificati on, 9.3) marking for left-handed threads,
9.4) alternative marks and 9.5) trademarks (identification); NTC 2361 (second revision),
Pressurized stored water fire extinguishers with a 9.5-litre capacity. Paragraphs:
1.4) operating requirements during testing (NTC 1916), 3.4) a polymer or another non-metal
part, other than the “O” ring or packaging, s hould be evaluated on the basis of the following:
1) mechanical strength, including impact stre ngth, see paragraphs 27, 28 and 47; 2) moisture
absorption, see paragraphs 39.11, 39.12, 40 and 44; 3) inflammability; 4) resistance to
deterioration as a result of ageing, see paragraphs 39 and 44; 5) exposure to light, see
paragraphs 39.11 and 39.12; 6) exposure to the ex tinguishing agent, see paragraphs 39.7 and
39.10., 9) capacities, 11.3) one valve must be hermetic when closed, see paragraph 42;15.1) an extinguisher should have a pressure gauge to record internal pressure, 15.5) the dial
should indicate approximately double the delivery pressure at 21.1°C (70°F), 15.7) the face
of the pressure gauge should be marked with the warning: “for use on Class A fires only
(ordinary combustibles)”, 21.1) pressurized stored water fire extinguishers should fulfil therequirements of NTC 1916, Paragraphs; 22) safety pin tests, 23) operating test, 27) vibrationtest, 28) rough handling test, 29) calibration test - pressure gauges (manometers),
36) hydrostatic pressure test, 39) ageing test - polymeric materials, 40) salt spray corrosion
testing, 42) discharge valve pressure test, 47) labelling abrasion test, 52) labelling, general
and 56) registration label; NTC 2362 (second revision), Carbon dioxide extinguishers.
Paragraphs: 5) discharge valves, 6) non-return valve, 7) pressure relief and 8) safety
mechanisms and seals; NTC 2384 (first revision), Plastics. Flexible plastic cartons for short-
life fluid milk. Paragraphs: 3) general requirements, 4.1) non-toxicity of the polyethylenefilm and printing inks and 4.2) microbiological requirements; NTC 2396, Health and safety.
Leather safety footwear. Paragraphs: 2.2) classification, 3.1.11) anatomical shoe type,
3.1.12) shoe waist material, 3.2) design, 4.1) leather, 4.2) sole, 4.3) insole, 4.4) metal
toecaps and shanks and 7) packaging and labelling; NTC 2505 (first revision), Gas
pipelines. gas supply facilities in residential and commercial buildings. Paragraphs:3) general requirements, 4) specifications, 6) entry into service, Annex 1: technical
specifications for gas regulators in resident ial and commercial buildings, 2) constructional
requirements, 3) change in outlet pressure, 4) labelling, Annex 2: technical specifications
for gas meters in residential and commercial buildings, 2) constructional requirements and
3) requirements; NTC 2561, Health and safety . Disposable respiratory masks protecting
against solid particles suspended in the air. Paragraphs: all; NTC 2576 (first revision),
Mechanical appliances. Manually operated thermoplastic cut-off valves and mechanisms for
gas distribution systems. Paragraphs: 2) construction; NTC 2589, Mechanical elements.
Galvanized bolts for use in electricity pylons. Paragraphs: 4.2) thermal treatment, 4.4.3) hot-
dip galvanizing, 4.4.4) galvanizing by mechanical deposition, 4.4.6) galvanized weight,4.4.7) threads, 5) chemical composition, 6) mechanical properties, 7) dimensions and
14) product marking; NTC 2778, Mechanical elements. Wheel nuts. Paragraphs:
4) requirements, 4.1) dimensions, 4.2) mechanical requirements and 7.1) labelling;
NTC 2805 (first revision), Electrical rotary machines. part 1: ratings and performance.G/TBT/N/COL/12
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6. Description of content:  (cont'd) Paragraphs:11.5) characteristics of the gas used as a
coolant in machines refrigerated by hydrogen, 12) electrical conditions (applicable to the
normalized frequency in Colombia of 60 Hz) 14) conditions during temperature rise test,
15) determination of temperature rise, 16) total temperature rise limits, 17) dielectric tests,
18) momentary excess engine torque, 20) minimum torque when starting up and 30) earthterminals; NTC 2882 (second revision), Absorbent sanitary protection products. Disposable
nappies. Paragraphs: 3.1) general requirements, 3.2.2) performance requirements and
6) packaging and labelling; NTC 3229, Electrical engineering. Electrical output box and
fittings used in areas classified as high risk. Paragraphs: all; NTC 3492, Health and safety.
Protective spats to safeguard against burns from molten metal.  Paragraphs: 4.2) resistance
to molten metal; NTC 3510, Plastics. Underground petroleum product storage tanks made
from polyester resin and reinforced with fibreglass. Paragraphs: 6.4) external loadrequirements, 6.5) internal pressure, 6.6) connection charge value, 6.7) connection torque
value, 6.10) lifting tackle, 6.11) negative pressure, 6.12) properties of materials and
6.13) chemical resistance; NTC 3521, Acoustics.  Description and measurement of ambient
noise. Implementation of noise limits. Paragraphs: all; NTC 3526, Civil engineering and
architecture. Compression joints for earthenware piping and fittings. Paragraphs: 7) testingrequirements for joints; NTC 3527 (first revision), Definitions and common rules applicable
to the testing of combustible gas-fired appliances for household and commercial use.
Paragraphs: 3.2) testing of the gas flow rate in the calibrated burners and orifices and the
effectiveness of the regulation units and 3.3) combustion testing; NTC 3536, Glass and
glass-ceramic utensils in contact with food. Lead and cadmium release. Paragraphs:5) Permissible limits; NTC 3537, Ceramic cooking utensils in contact with food. Lead and
cadmium release. Permissible limits and testing method. Paragraphs: 5) Permissible limits;
NTC 3668, Non-electric razors. Razors with  disposable cartridges. Paragraphs:
4.1) protective cartridge, 4.2) material for razor blades, 4.3) loose parts, 4.5) cutting edge of
razor blades, 4.6) razor blades must not have a defective edge, 4.7) treatment, 4.8) coating,4.9) adjustment and 6) packaging and labelling; NTC 3702, Disposable razors with double-
blade cartridge. Paragraphs: 4.2.3) razor blade finish, 4.5) hardness and 4.6) cutting edges;
NTC 3834, Chemicals. Cyclohexanone. Paragraphs: 6.1) labelling; NTC 3873, LPG (liquid
petroleum gas) pressure regulators. Paragraphs: 4) assembly, 5) materials, 6) bodies and
coverings, 7) vents in coverings, 8) coverings, 9) springs, 10) diaphragms, 11) diaphragm-
activated internal mechanism, 12) regulator pr essure adjustment mechanism, 13) regulator
pressure release or flow cut-off, 18) flow te st, 19) pressure release testing, 20) testing of
cut-off mechanism, 21) pressure release valve flow capacity testing, 22) durability tests,
23) testing of synthetic rubber elements and 25) general; NTC 4028, Fasteners. High-
tension steel bolts, classes 10.9 and 10.9.3, for structural steel joints (metric system).
Paragraphs: 5) materials and manufacture, 6) chemical composition, 7) mechanical
requirements, 8) dimensions, 15) responsibility and 16) product marking; NTC 4029,
Fasteners. High-tension bolts for use in structural steel joints (metric system). Paragraphs:
3.1.6) type of bolt, 4) materials and manufacture, 5) chemical composition, 6) mechanical
properties, 7) dimensions, 15) responsibility, 16.2) marking of type 1, type 2 and type 3 bolts,
16.4) location of marks and 16.5) manufacturer's marks; and NTC 4035, Fasteners.
Specifications of carbon and alloy steel nuts for bolts intended for use at high temperaturesand pressure. Paragraphs: 5.5) nuts grades 2H, 2HM, 3, 4, 6, 6F, 7 and 7M, 6) chemical
composition, 7) mechanical requirements, 9) dimensions and 14) pr oduct marking; Control
and supervision:  Supervisory Authority for Industry and Trade.
7. Objective and rationale, including the na ture of urgent problems where applicable:
8. Relevant documents:   Law 155 of 1959, Law 170 of 1994 and Decree 2360 of
6 November 2001.G/TBT/N/COL/12
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9. Proposed date of adoption:  Upon publication
Proposed date of entry into force:  11 March 2002
10. Final date for comments:   11 March 2002
11. Texts available in:  Spanish
National enquiry point:  
Ministry of Economic Development
Department of Trade and Promotion of Competition
Carrera 13, No. 28 - 01, Piso 7°
Bogotá, D.C., ColombiaTel.:  (571) 350-5500, ext. 1700
Fax:  (571) 350-9564
E-mail:  normalizacion01@mindesa.gov.co
              COLOMBIA@mindesa.gov.co
or address, telephone and fax numbers of another body:
Supervisory Authority for Industry and Trade
Carrera 13, No. 27 - 00, Piso 10°
Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
Tel.: (571) 382-0840
Fax: (571) 382-2692