Environmental management criteria, aimed at public policymaking, for the removal and disposal of asbestos‐containing building materials in Colombia.

This article focuses on proposing evidence-based environmental management guidelines for the removal and final disposal of installed asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM) in Colombia, where asbestos has been banned since January 2021 but remains widely present in construction products. Through an integrative review of international regulations and scientific literature, combined with expert stakeholder interviews, the study outlines a four-stage management approach: (1) diagnosis and management planning of installed ACBM, (2) authorized removal by trained contractors with risk assessments and operational controls, (3) controlled transport of ACBM waste to prevent fiber release, and (4) final disposal in specially designed hazardous waste landfill cells. The article emphasizes the urgent need for Colombia to conduct a national inventory of installed ACBM, develop capacity and certification programs, update regulations classifying ACBM waste as hazardous, and engage all relevant stakeholders to implement a comprehensive asbestos management strategy that aligns with public health and environmental goals.