Your Guide to Safety and Regulatory Compliance in Manufacturing
Compliance is the cornerstone of the manufacturing industry. It's key to maintaining trust between businesses, employees and customers. However, the industry faces unique risks. It's a critical component in the global economy since it produces (and delivers) endless goods, so there must be established and enforced regulations for everyone's protection.
What Is Manufacturing Compliance?
It's a system that adheres to the knowledge of (and adherence to) laws, regulations, guidelines, specifications and standards relevant to a specific manufacturing industry.
Companies hire professionals who monitor its many diverse laws and rules. It's crucial that the relevant team members, from the HR department to the safety and cybersecurity teams, know their obligations and how to maintain them.
Common Manufacturing Compliance Considerations
There are many compliance considerations, and we’ll explore some of the most common ones in this section.
Regulatory
Manufacturers must comply with all government regulations specific to their industry. These regulations include safety, environmental impact, food labeling, safe food handling and product specifications.Corporate
Corporate compliance involves federal and state regulations and internal rules — it even ensures that everyone follows internally established policies and guidelines.HR, Hiring and Employee-Related Compliance
All businesses must comply with employment laws, especially those that conduct background checks.Quality Standards
These measurements include guidelines, specifications or requirements that ensure a business produces a finished project that meets the following criteria before distribution:- Results that align with its intended plans and expectations.
- The quality of the item properly fits its eventual purpose.
- The product will meet the needs of its users.
Some specific standards include those from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which manages and maintains global standards for consistent quality assurance.
Health and Safety Standards
Ensuring the safety and well-being of your employees, clients and guests on a worksite is critical for any business. Safety standards help identify and remove workplace hazards, reducing the chance of potential workplace accidents and injuries — while preventing product recalls and liability issues.Environmental Standards
Most manufacturing businesses are subject to at least one or two environmental criteria since manufacturing produces emissions and waste. Local, state and federal agencies can levy more mandates against some manufacturing areas.
Compliance for Specific Manufacturing Areas
Supply Chain and Logistics
It's critical to ensure the smooth operation of any business. This includes requirements for transportation and safety regulations, workplace drug and alcohol testing, hazardous materials, motor vehicle safety standards and more. In addition, the safe use of powered industrial trucks (like forklifts, cranes and motorized warehouse dock equipment) is a must.Food Production
These types of industries have specific regulations for two main reasons: worker safety and to reduce the risk of illnesses caused by eating foods from unsafe environments, such as:- Food safety regulations for establishing label and packaging protocols.
- Established and assigned values for health and safety.
- Requirements for both local and state licenses and permits.
Factories and Assembly Lines
They're often components for companies working in production areas, including automotive, aviation, 3D printing and additive manufacturing. Think textiles, metal and paper goods.
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