For stakeholders in the production chain of flowers and cut foliage in Colombia, compliance with phytosanitary regulations is not just a legal requirement, but the foundation of their commercial stability. The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), in its role as the national phytosanitary protection authority, issued an alert on January 26, 2026, regarding the use of irregular documentation in the sector.

In this article, we explain the importance of validating the authenticity of your registries to avoid consequences that could seriously compromise your investment and the country’s reputation in international markets.

What does the ICA alert of January 26, 2026, establish? The authority has identified that the provision, use, or validation of false, altered, or nonexistent registries represents a serious violation of current regulations. These practices not only affect plant health but also jeopardize product traceability and compliance with Colombia’s international sanitary agreements.

Legal and Administrative Consequences for Irregular Registries The use of inaccurate information related to production sites, exporters, or importers can lead to severe actions:

• Administrative sanctions: ICA may initiate proceedings resulting in the suspension or cancellation of registries, financial fines, and disqualification from operating.
• Criminal reports: Behaviors constituting forgery of public or private documents, or procedural fraud, will be reported to the Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía General de la Nación).
• International impact: Authorities of importing countries will be notified, which could lead to shipment rejections, market suspensions, and an increase in control measures.

The Risk of Joint and Several Liability It is essential for companies to understand that establishing commercial ties with suppliers who use irregular information carries direct risks. This includes the retention or destruction of shipments and the assumption of joint and several liability in administrative investigations.

To ensure due diligence and prevent fraud, ICA urges all interested parties to use official digital tools:

• Identify the verification code: This is found at the end of every issued phytosanitary registry.
• Use the SimplifICA application: Go to the official link https://simplifica.ica.gov.co.
• Verification module: Select the “Registry Verification” (Verificación de registros) option to validate the document’s authenticity in real-time.

The integrity of phytosanitary documents is a flower exporter’s most valuable asset. Given the detection of false registries, proactive verification on the SimplifICA platform is the most effective control measure to protect your operation from administrative sanctions and criminal proceedings that could permanently close the doors to international markets.

For stakeholders in the production chain of flowers and cut foliage in Colombia, compliance with phytosanitary regulations is not just a legal requirement, but the foundation of their commercial stability. The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), in its role as the national phytosanitary protection authority, issued an alert on January 26, 2026, regarding the use of irregular documentation in the sector.

In this article, we explain the importance of validating the authenticity of your registries to avoid consequences that could seriously compromise your investment and the country’s reputation in international markets.

What does the ICA alert of January 26, 2026, establish? The authority has identified that the provision, use, or validation of false, altered, or nonexistent registries represents a serious violation of current regulations. These practices not only affect plant health but also jeopardize product traceability and compliance with Colombia’s international sanitary agreements.

Legal and Administrative Consequences for Irregular Registries The use of inaccurate information related to production sites, exporters, or importers can lead to severe actions:

• Administrative sanctions: ICA may initiate proceedings resulting in the suspension or cancellation of registries, financial fines, and disqualification from operating.
• Criminal reports: Behaviors constituting forgery of public or private documents, or procedural fraud, will be reported to the Attorney General’s Office.
• International impact: Authorities of importing countries will be notified, which could lead to shipment rejections, market suspensions, and an increase in control measures.

The Risk of Joint and Several Liability It is essential for companies to understand that establishing commercial ties with suppliers who use irregular information carries direct risks. This includes the retention or destruction of shipments and the assumption of joint and several liability in administrative investigations.

How to Verify the Validity of a Phytosanitary Registry? To ensure due diligence and prevent fraud, ICA urges all interested parties to use official digital tools:

• Identify the verification code: This is found at the end of every issued phytosanitary registry.
• Use the SimplifICA application: Go to the official link https://simplifica.ica.gov.co.
• Verification module: Select the “Registry Verification” option to validate the document’s authenticity in real-time.

Protect Your Operation with Proactive Verification The integrity of phytosanitary documents is a flower exporter’s most valuable asset. Given the detection of false registries, proactive verification on the SimplifICA platform is the most effective control measure to protect your operation from administrative sanctions and criminal proceedings that could permanently close the doors to international markets.

At Siacomex, we support our clients in complying with all phytosanitary and customs requirements, ensuring safe operations in accordance with current regulations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the SimplifICA application and what is it for? It is the official ICA platform where exporters and importers can verify the validity and authenticity of their phytosanitary registries using a unique verification code.

What happens if I present an altered registry to the authorities? You are exposed to administrative sanctioning processes that include the cancellation of your registry to operate, in addition to possible criminal complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office for document forgery.

Am I responsible if my supplier provides me with false information? Yes, ICA warns that those who establish commercial ties with suppliers using irregular information assume legal and commercial risks, including joint and several liability and the possible loss of merchandise.