Biopolymers in Colombia: What Law 2316 of 2023 Says and How to Find a Verified Surgeon

Quick answer: in Colombia, injecting or infiltrating non-permitted modeling substances, known as biopolymers, into another person has been a crime since Law 2316 of 2023. The penalty is 32 to 120 months in prison, and 96 to 180 months if the person injecting is a healthcare professional. Only substances on the official list published by Invima may be used. If you already have biopolymers, the next step is an evaluation with a surgeon whose registration you can verify yourself.

This guide explains what the law says, how to check someone offering you an injection, how to look for a surgeon for an evaluation, and where to file a complaint. It is general information, not medical or legal advice: a doctor who examines you decides about your health, and a lawyer and the authorities decide about a specific case.

What Law 2316 of 2023 says

The law was enacted on August 17, 2023. Its Article 3 added Article 116B, "Injuries with non-permitted modeling substances", to the Penal Code:

• The crime. Anyone who "injects or infiltrates non-permitted modeling substances into another person's body" faces 32 to 120 months in prison and a fine of 150 to 250 current monthly legal minimum wages.
• If they are a healthcare professional. The penalty is 96 to 180 months in prison, a fine of 200 to 300 minimum wages, and disqualification from practicing their profession for 60 months.
• The aggravating factors. Penalties increase by one third to one half if the victim is under 18, if there was deception about the substance, or if the face is affected.

The text of the article refers to the person who injects the substance into another person's body.

What the law requires in favor of affected people

Article 5 ordered the Ministry of Health to include in the Health Benefits Plan, in both the contributory and subsidized regimes, "the diagnosis, treatments, rehabilitation and procedures for removal or management of non-permitted modeling substances", as well as mental health treatments and psychosocial support. We do not verify how each EPS applies this today, so ask yours.

Article 8 requires that informed consent for injecting a modeling substance expressly state the aftercare, the product's components, possible complications, adverse effects and risks.

Who oversees advertising and receives complaints

Article 10 assigns the National Health Superintendence, together with local authorities, Invima and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce, the task of receiving complaints and carrying out inspection, surveillance and control in this area, including misleading advertising.

What permitted modeling substances are

According to Article 2, they are injectable filler substances for body treatments for aesthetic purposes that are on the list issued by the Ministry of Health. Non-permitted ones are those not on that list and used without the proper authorization.

That is why the useful question is whether the product is on the list. Invima publishes it on its page for modeling substances. According to that page:

• The list is updated periodically. Always use the current version shown on the page.
• It includes the active ingredients and the approved sanitary registrations.
• Previous versions remain published as history, but they are no longer in force.

How to check someone offering you an injection

Before accepting a filler, do these checks. They are free.

1. Look up the person in ReTHUS. This is the Ministry of Health's registry of personnel authorized to practice a health profession. Ask for their document type and number. If they do not appear, do not proceed.
2. Ask for the product name and its sanitary registration. Compare them with the current Invima list. If they cannot tell you what the product is, do not proceed.
3. Check the place in REPS. ReTHUS checks people and REPS checks places. The site should appear as a health services provider.
4. Read the informed consent before signing. It must include what Article 8 requires.

In addition, the Decree 545 of 2024 requires anyone injecting a permitted substance to report to Invima, among other data, their habilitation code, the sanitary registration and the product batch. You do not have to report anything, but you can ask for this information and keep it.

Our tool to verify a surgeon brings together links to each official registry.

If you already have biopolymers: how to find a surgeon for an evaluation

Whether removal is possible and advisable is assessed by a surgeon, case by case, after examining you. What you can do right now is choose carefully whom you ask for the evaluation.

• Start with surgeons whose registration has been checked. At Colombia Move, a surgeon only appears after we search for their ReTHUS registration. The biopolymer removal page shows verified surgeons who say they perform this procedure. When none has indicated so yet, it shows the other verified surgeons, with a note to ask them before booking.
• Confirm the specialty in ReTHUS. Being registered as a doctor does not confirm the specialty: check that it matches the procedure.
• Check the clinic in REPS. A consulting room is fine for the evaluation, but it is not an operating room. Ask for the name and address of the clinic where you would be operated on.

You can also search by procedure or use the surgeon directory, which has filters.

Questions to bring to the evaluation

• What is your document type and number, so I can look you up in ReTHUS?
• What is your specialty, and do you perform this procedure?
• In which clinic would I be operated on, and under what name does it appear in REPS?
• Who administers the anesthesia, and what is their specialty?
• What does the written quote include, and what is paid separately?

The step-by-step for each search is in our guide to verifying a plastic surgeon in Colombia before booking.

Where to file a complaint

The closest starting point is the Health Secretariat of your city. Article 10 also names the National Health Superintendence, Invima and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce. Keep the advertisement, messages, payment receipts and the address of the place.

As it is a crime, the case can also go to criminal justice. To file a complaint or claim, speak with a lawyer: only the authorities decide whether a specific conduct fits the law.

Frequently asked questions

Are biopolymers legal in Colombia?

No. Injecting non-permitted modeling substances has been a crime since Law 2316 of 2023, which created Article 116B of the Penal Code. Only substances on the current list published by Invima may be used (reviewed in November 2026).

What is the penalty for injecting biopolymers?

32 to 120 months in prison and a fine of 150 to 250 monthly minimum wages, according to Article 116B in force in 2026. For a healthcare professional it is 96 to 180 months, a fine of 200 to 300 minimum wages and 60 months of disqualification. Aggravating factors increase the penalties by one third to one half.

Did I commit a crime if I was injected with biopolymers?

No, according to the text of Article 116B, which punishes whoever injects the substance into another person's body. Law 2316 of 2023 refers to those who received it as affected people. For your specific case, speak with a lawyer.

Does the EPS cover biopolymer removal?

Law 2316 of 2023 ordered it to be included: Article 5 requires the Health Benefits Plan to incorporate the diagnosis, treatments and procedures for removal or management of these substances. We do not verify how each EPS applies it in 2026. Ask yours and request the answer in writing.

Where do I report someone offering biopolymers?

To the Health Secretariat of your city, as a first step. Article 10 of Law 2316 of 2023, in force in 2026, also assigns the National Health Superintendence, Invima and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce to receive complaints.

What does "Verified surgeon" mean on Colombia Move?

It means we looked up the surgeon's ReTHUS registration and the specialty they declared before publishing their listing, a rule in force since November 2026. It does not rate their skill or results, and it does not cover the clinic: check the location in REPS.