New Technical Regulation for Electrical Installations and Products – RETIE, Resolution 40117 of 2024
Background and Objectives
The Technical Regulation of Electrical Installations (RETIE) aims to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of electrical installations in Colombia. The proposed updates in the new regulation incorporate technological advancements and international standards to enhance the effectiveness of the regulation. The extensive consultation period reflects the comprehensive feedback and considerations from various industry stakeholders.
Public Consultation Process
The public consultation process, initiated in October 2011, allowed for extensive feedback and suggestions from various stakeholders, including industry professionals, academics, and regulatory bodies. This iterative process ensured that the final draft of the RETIE update is robust and well-informed.
Analysis of the New Regulation
After several years, the Technical Regulation of Electrical Installations (RETIE) was modified, coming into effect on April 2, 2024, replacing the General Annex of Resolution 90708 of 2013.
Some important considerations include:
- Immediate Validity with Transition Period: Although the regulation is effective immediately, there is a 15-month transition period for renewing product conformity certificates under the previous resolution. Similarly, equivalency concepts will remain valid for the next 15 months.
- New Products Included: The scope of the new technical regulation now includes:
- Electric wind turbines.
- Direct starters.
- Batteries or electric charge accumulators for use in generation, transmission, and distribution processes, uninterruptible power systems (UPS), photovoltaic, wind, or storage systems to inject into the general use electrical grid.
- Packaged or prefabricated substation rooms.
- DC to AC inverters for photovoltaic, wind, and other generation systems.
- Electrical products used in installations classified as hazardous, including mines, tunnels, and caverns.
- Voltage regulators or controllers for batteries used in photovoltaic or wind systems.
- Position selectors.
These new products can demonstrate conformity through the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity, which will be valid until six months after a second conformity assessment body is accredited.
- Scope and Specific Requirements:
- Book 2: Lists the products subject to the regulation, including new tables 2.1.2.1.a and 2.1.2.1.b with product listings and marginal notes. It clarifies whether a product requires conformity demonstration, is excluded, or needs an exception.
- Book 3: Covers electrical installations, their scope of application, and general installation requirements for products.
- Book 4: Details the conformity assessment procedure, product certification, control entities, and the sanctioning regime. The regulation now specifies that first-party declarations will be subject to verification in the import process and the national market by control and surveillance entities. DIAN (National Directorate of Taxes and Customs) must verify these declarations.
Conclusion
Resolution 40117 of 2024 represents a significant advancement in updating Colombia’s Technical Regulation of Electrical Installations (RETIE). The extensive consultation process and alignment with international standards ensure that the regulation is both comprehensive and effective. Stakeholders in the electrical installations sector must prepare to comply with the new requirements and benefit from the highest safety and operational standards.
