The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development announced on March 25 that it has published a draft resolution to modify the regulations on maximum permissible emission limits for land mobile sources. The proposal is open for public comment until March 31, 2026.
The initiative is significant as it seeks to update technical standards for emissions from new road and off-road land mobile sources, aiming to address environmental concerns related to air pollution from vehicles. The proposed regulation will apply specifically to new vehicles in these categories.
According to the draft, certain types of vehicles are exempt from compliance with the updated rules. These include off-road vehicles used exclusively for agricultural work, those operating with fuels other than diesel, and any vehicle—regardless of fuel or function—with a nominal power below 19 kW or above 560 kW that does not have refrigeration or air conditioning systems using controlled substances. Additionally, seized or abandoned land mobile sources under government control at the time the resolution takes effect may be allocated for economic and social development in municipalities classified as categories 4, 5, and 6 under Law 617 of 2000 or in areas designated as special investment zones aimed at poverty reduction.
Manufacturers, assemblers, or importers bringing these vehicles into Colombia must obtain a Dynamic Test Emissions Certificate and approval under the Montreal Protocol. The cycles and procedures used for dynamic emissions testing will follow regulations established by either the United States or European Union authorities depending on vehicle type.
The Ministry has invited stakeholders affected by these changes to submit their comments before March 31. The final regulation could impact both industry practices and environmental policy moving forward.
