In Colombia, the authority responsible for regulating fertilisers, soil conditioners and agricultural bio-inputs is the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA). ICA acts as the competent authority overseeing the registration, import, commercialisation and quality control of fertilisers and biofertilisers (“bioinsumos”) used in agriculture. The institute evaluates product dossiers, issues product sale registrations and maintains public lists of authorised fertilisers and bio-inputs available on the Colombian market.

The main legal framework governing fertilisers and soil conditioners is established by Resolución 00150 de 2003, which sets out the technical regulation for fertilisers and soil conditioners in Colombia. This regulation establishes the requirements for product registration, including quality standards for nutrient composition and tolerances, as well as labelling rules, analytical testing methods and procedures for quality control and compliance. Through this regulation, ICA ensures that fertilisers marketed in Colombia meet defined standards for composition, safety and product information.

Colombian legislation does not currently provide a distinct statutory category specifically dedicated to plant biostimulants. Instead, products marketed as biostimulants are generally regulated under existing frameworks depending on their characteristics and claims. However, agricultural bio-inputs (bioinsumos), which include microbial agents, inoculants and certain plant-derived extracts used to promote plant nutrition or soil health, are regulated under a separate framework administered by ICA.

One of the main relevant instruments is Resolución 068370 de 2020, together with additional circulars and guidance documents addressing quality control and registration procedures for biological inputs. Products that are primarily presented as nutrient sources or soil-improvement products are usually regulated as fertilisers, whereas products containing microorganisms or biologically active substances may fall under the bioinsumo regime.

In practice, any fertiliser intended for commercial sale in Colombia must obtain a sale registration (registro de venta) from ICA before it can be placed on the market. This requirement applies to chemical fertilisers, organic fertilisers, soil conditioners and similar products designed to provide nutrients or improve soil properties.

Bio-inputs that contain beneficial microorganisms, botanical extracts or other biological substances are typically registered either as fertilisers or as bioinsumos depending on the product composition and intended function.

To obtain a fertiliser sale registration under Resolución 00150 de 2003, the applicant must submit a formal application to ICA, usually through Form 3-896, together with supporting documentation.

The dossier generally includes a certificate of analysis issued by an ICA-registered laboratory or by the manufacturer, a contract with a laboratory registered with ICA for quality control purposes, a technical data sheet describing the product, a safety data sheet prepared in accordance with Colombian standards, and documentation supporting the product’s recommended uses. Applicants must also submit a proposed product label that complies with Colombian labelling requirements and provide the analytical methods used to verify product quality. Payment of the applicable registration fee is required as part of the application process.

In addition to product registration, companies that manufacture, import or distribute fertilisers must also be registered with ICA in the registry of producers, importers and distributors. This registration requires the submission of basic company documentation, information about storage or quality control arrangements and payment of the relevant administrative fee.

Once a complete dossier has been submitted, ICA reviews the application and evaluates the documentation. The review period typically takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the completeness of the application and the extent of the technical assessment required. Applicants must also cover the costs associated with laboratory analysis and administrative registration fees established under ICA tariff regulations.

When granted, fertiliser sale registrations generally have indefinite validity, provided that the product continues to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements and quality standards. ICA maintains post-market oversight through inspection activities, product sampling and laboratory testing to verify compliance with guaranteed nutrient content and labelling rules.

Products that fail to meet regulatory requirements may be subject to enforcement measures, including product recalls, suspension of authorisations or other corrective actions.

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