SG-SST minimum standards self-assessment in Colombia: current rules and how to prepare the 2027 filing
Every year, thousands of Colombian companies search for how to report minimum standards to the Ministry of Labour. Circular 0027 of 2026 set 31 July 2026 as the deadline for registering on the Occupational Risk Fund application the self-assessment corresponding to 2025 and its respective improvement plan. This guide explains what the minimum standards self-assessment is, what Resolution 0312 of 2019 requires, how to report it step by step and how to prepare the 2027 filing: as of 22 August 2026, the Ministry had not published the circular setting the 2027 filing period, so no date should be taken as certain until the official instrument is issued.
What the SG-SST minimum standards are
Resolution 0312 of 2019 defines the minimum standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Management System (SG-SST): the set of verifiable requirements every company must meet according to its size and risk class.
- 7 standards for companies with up to 10 workers in risk classes I, II or III.
- 21 standards for companies with 11 to 50 workers in risk classes I, II or III.
- 60 standards for companies with more than 50 workers or in risk classes IV and V, regardless of size.
The self-assessment is scored out of 100: below 60% is critical, from 60% to 85% moderately acceptable and above 85% acceptable. All companies must draw up an improvement plan and send their ARL a copy of the self-assessment and the plan. In addition, a critical score requires a progress report to the ARL within three months, while a moderately acceptable score requires one within six months.
Annual calendar: what Resolution 0312 sets and what the Ministry sets
Article 26 of Resolution 0312 of 2019 provides that, from 2020 onwards, the self-assessment, the improvement plan and the following year’s annual work plan must be prepared in December. Article 28 governs scoring and improvement actions, including the annual progress report to be sent to the ARL in July. Each year the Ministry of Labour sets, by circular, the period for registering the self-assessment on the Occupational Risk Fund application: in 2025 filing was open from 3 February to 28 March, and in 2026 Circular 0027 set 31 July as the deadline for the self-assessment corresponding to 2025. For 2027 it is advisable to continue internal preparation, with the self-assessment ready in December, without announcing an official filing window until the Ministry publishes the circular.
Step by step to report on the Occupational Risk Fund platform
- Apply the self-assessment using the Resolution 0312 format (the official spreadsheet or the SG-SST software module), standard by standard, with evidence for each item.
- Calculate the score and classify the result (critical, moderately acceptable, acceptable).
- Draw up the improvement plan with activities, owners, resources and dates.
- Log in to the Occupational Risk Fund application with the company’s user and register the results within the enabled period.
- Keep the registration receipt and send the ARL a copy of the self-assessment and the improvement plan; with a critical score, send the progress report within three months and, with a moderately acceptable score, within six months.
- Integrate the improvement plan into the SG-SST annual work plan, follow it up at its defined frequency and submit the corresponding progress report.
Common mistakes
- Scoring standards without documentary evidence: in a Ministry of Labour inspection the self-assessment is checked against the supporting documents.
- Confusing the number of applicable standards by risk class.
- Not updating the improvement plan after the July progress report.
- Leaving registration until the final day, which increases the operational risk of failing to complete it on time.
Penalties
Failing to complete or report the self-assessment can lead to sanctions under Law 1562 of 2012 and Decree 472 of 2015, as well as findings in the unannounced inspections under Resolution 4179 of 2025. Decree 1072 of 2015 is the general SG-SST framework that the self-assessment verifies.
How SG-SST software helps
With Sabentis, the legal self-assessment within the communication, training and compliance modules makes it possible to apply the 7, 21 or 60 standards with the evidence linked to each item, calculate the score, generate the improvement plan and link it to the annual work plan. The result is exported for registration on the Occupational Risk Fund application and is ready for the ARL and the Ministry. More context in OHS regulations in Colombia and occupational safety in Colombia.
Frequently asked questions
Which companies must report the self-assessment?
All those required to implement the SG-SST: public and private employers, those contracting staff under any modality and solidarity economy organisations, under Resolution 0312 of 2019.
What happens if I score below 60%?
The result is critical: an immediate improvement plan, submission of the self-assessment and plan to the ARL, and a progress report to the ARL within three months. The Ministry may prioritise an inspection.
Does the self-assessment replace the SG-SST audit?
No. The annual SG-SST audit required by Decree 1072 of 2015 is a separate process that verifies the system as a whole.
