On August 5, 2026, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism reported that The entry into force of the new United Nations technical regulations is postponed for an additional year. applicable to the certification and importation of cars and motorcycles in Colombia.
The measure is part of a process that began the previous year. On August 16, 2025, the national government published a draft resolution postponing the implementation of the United Nations technical regulations applicable to vehicles and trailers until August 2026. At that time, it was also stipulated that the National Road Safety Agency, along with the Ministries of Transportation and Commerce, would conduct a study to define the conditions under which the United Nations regulatory system and U.S. standards could coexist.
The practical effect of the new extension is that The current certification framework remains in effect, which recognizes the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Consequently, vehicles and auto parts of US origin (and those manufactured in other countries under the same standards) may continue to be imported and marketed in Colombia without additional certification requirements during the new transition period.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the postponement aims to allow time to complete the ongoing technical study and provide legal stability to the sector before the new regulations are definitively adopted, while also preserving trade relations with strategic partners such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, Argentina, and Brazil. The government has indicated that, even when the new regulations come into effect, a framework for coexistence will be guaranteed. regulatory that recognizes both United Nations regulations and FMVSS standards.
For importers and distributors in the automotive and auto parts sector, the extension represents a short window for import operations and existing purchase plans. However, it is a temporary measure.
It is recommended to review the text of the resolution issued by the Ministry of Transport to confirm its scope, the products covered and the exact date of the new expiration, as well as to monitor the results of the technical study and the draft regulations that are published for comments, in order to anticipate the certification and homologation adjustments that will be required when the transition period ends.
Source:
The national government guarantees regulatory stability for the automotive sector during 2025
Extraordinary Bulletin: Trade Policy and Defense Unit, August 6, 2026
