CO · Expiry & renewal tracking
Renew your emissions permit on time so the source never runs without a valid permit
Colombia's air emissions permit is valid for at most five years, and renewal is requested by filing a new Emissions Status Report (IE-1) at least sixty days before expiry (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14 of Decreto 1076 de 2015). A late application leads to fines, and emitting after expiry means operating without a permit.
The air emissions permit is granted by the competent environmental authority, by administrative act, so that a natural or legal person may release emissions into the air within the permissible limits; it is granted only to the owner of the works, company, activity, industry or establishment that originates the emissions and creates no vested rights (Article 2.2.5.1.7.1 of Decreto 1076 de 2015). Activities needing a prior permit include discharges of smoke, gases, vapours, dust or particles through ducts or chimneys of industrial, commercial or service establishments, waste incineration, operation of boilers or incinerators, processes liable to emit toxic substances and activities generating offensive odours (Article 2.2.5.1.7.2).
The permit is valid for a maximum of five (5) years and is renewable indefinitely for equal periods. For permanent industrial and commercial activities it is granted for five (5) years; for transitory emissions from works or temporary activities lasting less than five years, for the duration of those works. To renew it, the holder files a new Emissions Status Report (form IE-1) with the environmental authority no less than sixty (60) days before the expiry date, or one third of the term if validity is under sixty days; filing the IE-1 serves as the renewal application. The authority may request further information within the following ten (10) business days and carry out a technical visit within the following fifteen (15) days; with no observations, it renews for the same term and conditions. If ninety (90) days pass after the visit or the additional information without a decision being notified, a permit whose renewal was requested in time is deemed renewed (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14).
Changes to emission standards or new rules modify the conditions of permits in force (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14). The holder must request modification of the permit when the fuels it covers change, on pain of suspension or revocation (Article 2.2.5.1.7.13). The permit may be suspended or revoked by reasoned resolution, and renewal is refused in the cases of items 1, 2 and 3 of letter B) of Article 2.2.5.1.7.12 (Articles 2.2.5.1.7.12 and 2.2.5.1.7.15). The wastewater discharge permit and the water concession are separate authorisations with their own terms.
At a glance
| Who needs it | The owner of the works, company or establishment that originates emissions from the activities of Article 2.2.5.1.7.2 (Articles 2.2.5.1.7.1 and 2.2.5.1.7.2 of Decreto 1076 de 2015) |
|---|---|
| Validity | Maximum five (5) years; five years for permanent activities, the duration of the works for transitory emissions (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14) |
| Renewal | Indefinitely, for equal periods (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14) |
| How to apply | By filing a new Emissions Status Report (IE-1), which serves as the application (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14) |
| Deadline to apply | At least sixty (60) days before expiry, or one third of the term if it lasts less than 60 days (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14) |
| Authority's silence | Ninety (90) days after the visit or the additional information with no decision, the permit is deemed renewed (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14) |
| Late application | Leads to fines, without prejudice to sanctions for lacking a valid permit (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14) |
| Fuel change | Requires a permit modification request, on pain of suspension or revocation (Article 2.2.5.1.7.13) |
The renewal under Article 2.2.5.1.7.14 applies only to emissions permits issued by environmental authorities on the basis of Decreto 1076 de 2015 (paragraph).
Who is responsible?
The permit holder, that is, the owner of the works, company, activity, industry or establishment that originates the emissions (Article 2.2.5.1.7.1 of Decreto 1076 de 2015). The holder files the IE-1 form for renewal and answers requests for further information and the authority's observations within ten (10) business days (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14). The permit may be assigned, but the assignment takes effect only once expressly communicated to the environmental authority (Article 2.2.5.1.7.10).
If the deadline passes
Late filing of the renewal application together with form IE-1 leads to fines, following the established procedure, without prejudice to other sanctions for lacking a valid permit or for related infringements (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14 of Decreto 1076 de 2015). A fixed source that keeps emitting after the permit has expired operates without a permit, which the environmental authority may sanction; in addition, a permit in force may be suspended or revoked for breach of its terms or of emission standards (Article 2.2.5.1.7.12), and renewal is refused in the cases of items 1, 2 and 3 of letter B) of that article (Article 2.2.5.1.7.15).
The IE-1 is the application
There is no separate renewal form: filing the new Emissions Status Report (IE-1) at least sixty (60) days in advance serves as the renewal application (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14 of Decreto 1076 de 2015). Gathering the measurements behind that report usually takes more than two months, so start before the first reminder.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each emissions permit as a record, with the resolution number, and enter as the expiry date the one set in the granting act or the latest renewal.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day; the 60-day reminder coincides with the minimum lead time for filing the IE-1, so measurements should be scheduled earlier.
- The environmental team can upload the renewal resolution or the IE-1 filing receipt through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account; then update the date to the new validity.
- Assign the environmental management or HSE team as responsible; if the date passes without renewal, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does the air emissions permit last?
- It is valid for a maximum of five (5) years, renewable indefinitely for equal periods; transitory emissions from temporary works lasting under five years are covered for the duration of the works (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
- How and when is it renewed?
- By filing a new Emissions Status Report (IE-1) with the environmental authority no less than sixty (60) days before the expiry date; the IE-1 serves as the renewal application (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
- What if I file the renewal late?
- Late filing leads to fines, without prejudice to other sanctions for lacking a valid permit (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
- What if the authority does not answer?
- If ninety (90) days pass after the visit or the additional information without a decision being notified, a permit whose renewal was requested in time is deemed renewed for the same term and conditions (Article 2.2.5.1.7.14 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
- Must I notify a change of fuel?
- Yes. When the fuels covered by the permit change, the holder must request its modification, on pain of suspension or revocation (Article 2.2.5.1.7.13 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 14, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for air emissions permit (Colombia)
A ready template for air emissions permit (Colombia) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each air emissions permit (Colombia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each air emissions permit (Colombia) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.