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Before any product goes to market, it’s essential that it meets compliance checks. Fail to meet these regulations and you’re likely to face hefty fines, recalls or public complaints that will damage your reputation. Compliance regulations are put in place by national and international standards authorities like the FDA, EPA and ISO. Depending on what type of product you’re launching, the standards you will need to follow will vary. Below are 5 critical compliances checks to consider that apply to the majority of products.
Safety Compliance
Regulations such as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) require many products to undergo stringent safety evaluations before they can be sold. Such evaluations include testing toys for choking risks and testing appliances for electrical faults.
It’s possible to carry out testing and obtain certification via third-party organizations like TÜV. Obtaining this certification proves that your product is compliant, which is vital for building consumer trust in your brand.
Environmental Compliance
Environmental regulations aim to reduce the carbon footprint of products in order to protect the planet. A prime example of this is The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive which prohibits the use of toxic materials in electronics.
Other standards like ISO 14001 encourage efficient use of energy and water during manufacture, while also encouraging the sustainable sourcing of materials. Some companies choose not just to meet these minimum standards, but go above and beyond in order to appeal to the growing number of eco-conscious consumers. For instance, green clothing brand Patagonia regularly releases detailed information on its supply chain to prove that all its suppliers are sustainable.
Material Compliance
Certain materials and substances are restricted around the world. Lead, mercury and phthalates are all examples of banned substances. Lab tests at the third-party premises such as BioPharmaSpec Malvern laboratory are often required to ensure that no traces of these substances are found, as well as making sure legal ingredients are used in compliant quantities.
Some of these substances and materials may also be regulated by safety and environmental compliance authorities.
Data Compliance
In the case of smart devices, it is also important to consider data compliance to protect user privacy and security. Two of the most well-known data compliance regulations include THE General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which require products sold in the EU and California to abide by regulations such as encrypting user information and asking for user consent for data sharing.
You must follow these regulations if you want your product to be sold and used in the EU and California.
Label Compliance
Finally, it is worth mentioning labelling legal standards. Organizations like The Federal Trade Commission put in place guidelines for written information packaging which includes printing ingredient lists on food products and instructions for use.
Other bodies like the National Organic Program dictate when a product can use the USDA organic seal (95% of its ingredients must be certified organic) in order to prevent false claims. This label compliance is something you must think about when designing your product’s packaging.
