Colour Cosmetics in Colombia: INVIMA Notification & Retail

Colour cosmetics in Colombia use the INVIMA notification pathway (not full registration), making market entry faster than supplement registration. The notification must be filed by a Colombian representante legal (responsible importer/legal representative) — foreign brands cannot notify INVIMA directly. The notification is free and done online via INVIMA's VUCE system. Once submitted, products can typically be sold while the notification is being processed, but the representante legal bears full regulatory liability during this period. INVIMA may audit products post-market and issue sanctions for non-compliant labelling or prohibited ingredients.

Colombia's permitted colorant list is aligned with the MERCOSUR cosmetics framework (Decisión 706), which in turn largely mirrors EU Annex IV. Key rules: (1) Only permitted colorants from the MERCOSUR/INVIMA approved list may be used. (2) CI (Colour Index) numbers are required on all labels alongside INCI names. (3) US FD&C and D&C colorants are not automatically permitted in Colombia — only those on the INVIMA/MERCOSUR approved list are accepted. (4) Hair dye products containing PPD (p-phenylenediamine) must include a mandatory allergy warning on the label. (5) Colorants with different purity restrictions between markets (e.g. D&C Red 27 vs. CI 45410) must be assessed for Colombian compliance individually.

• INCI + CI numbers for all colorants
• Spanish text mandatory on all consumer-facing panels
• Net quantity in metric units
• Name and NIT of Colombian representante legal — legally required on all imported cosmetics
• Country of manufacture
• Lot/batch number
• Shelf life/PAO symbol (Period After Opening) if shelf life is relevant
• No claims about treating skin conditions or medical benefits
• PPD-containing hair dyes must display: 'Este producto puede causar reacciones alérgicas graves'

• Éxito (Grupo Éxito): Colombia's largest supermarket chain — mass-market and mid-tier colour cosmetics sold well here
• Falabella Colombia: Premium department store; carries international makeup brands in dedicated beauty sections
• MercadoLibre Colombia: Strong channel for international makeup brands; Korean and US brands particularly popular via this channel
• Jumbo (Cencosud): Supermarket format with growing beauty assortment
• TikTok Shop Colombia: Rapidly growing social commerce channel for makeup brands targeting under-30 consumers in Bogotá and Medellín