.jpg)
.webp)
Building a team that is ready to tackle current and future packaging regulations can pose unique challenges and require a strategic approach. It is critical that companies build compliance-ready teams from the ground up - connecting all necessary stakeholders through key objectives and action plans. How is your team preparing to stay ahead of shifting packaging regulations? With the following 5 steps you and your team can ensure packaging regulations are met without hesitation:
1. Identify Key Stakeholders
Before roles and responsibilities can be assigned it is critical that any key stakeholders involved in regulatory compliance are identified. All departments in a company, from product design and procurement to marketing and operations, should be reviewed. In doing so companies can get a clearer understating of what is required from stakeholders to drive change forward. Without involvement and buy-in from all key stakeholders, meeting requirements will be nearly impossible. By fostering an environment of collaboration and shared responsibility companies can align teams across their organization.
2. Define Clear Roles and Responsibilities
Once key stakeholders are identified it is time to determine roles and responsibilities. This step is critical because ambiguity in roles can lead to serious confusion and consequences down the line. To adequately distribute roles to different teams companies must have a clear understanding of the regulations they are responsible for. Different regulations call for different compliance requirements, and these requirements are constantly changing. By making roles and responsibilities clear, team members will have the guidance and confidence they need to get the job done.
3. Foster Effective Communication
Assigning responsibilities is not a one-and-done event - it requires regular check-ins and communication to ensure that teams remain aligned as regulations change and evolve. Companies should establish a meeting cadence where teams can discuss their updates and align on goals. This is also a time when team members can address any challenges or confusion they may have regarding specific packaging regulations. Companies should make sure their team members are equipped with the right tools and information to contribute to overarching company goals with confidence.
Beyond open verbal communication, companies should also invest in tools that encourage cross-functional collaboration. With tools like Specright, companies can easily share and update packaging data so that regulatory reporting is simple, accurate, and completed on time.
4. Implement Regular Compliance Audits
As new regulations come to the surface and existing regulations adapt to changing environments it is critical that companies adjust in response. By implementing routine compliance audits teams can identify and address any potential issues before they pose more extreme risks.
Packaging compliance audits will likely look unique for different roles based on data and specifications that need to be reported on - making check-ins even more complex. Specific team leaders should oversee different roles to make sure that all responsibilities are fulfilled and align with shifting regulatory requirements.
It is also crucial that these audits are tracked over time. With the right tools for specification data management teams can see where compliance checks missed the mark and make adjustments accordingly. Specright enables teams to track changes and reports cross-functionally in real time - making sure that teams stay aligned regardless of the reporting complexities.
5. Stay Informed on Regulatory Changes
We’ve said it once and we will say it again - packaging regulations are increasing globally and they are here to stay. Complying with these regulations is no longer a nice-to-have it is a requirement to avoid costly fines, legal consequences, and the loss of customer loyalty.
In order to stay on top of these constant changes it is critical that designated team members monitor changes in regulations. Accessible reports should also be sent out to the broader changes related to any necessary changes. Staying up to date may involve subscribing to industry newsletters, watching relevant webinars, or checking governmental websites that share current and changing regulations.
Conclusion
When it comes to packaging regulations there is no one right way to comply - individual companies will need to adapt and work with the teams they have to find a strategy that works. This being said by following the five steps above you will be on the right track to building a compliance-ready team that not only meets regulatory demands but also supports your company's broader goals for efficiency and sustainability.
For companies looking to stay ahead of competitors the time to act is now. When it comes to packaging regulations a proactive and collaborative approach is a must to stay prepared for the next regulation and challenge. By utilizing tools like Specright companies can manage packaging data, track necessary changes, and automate packaging reporting. To learn more about the power of Specright for meeting packaging regulations check out this ebook or request a demo today.
