If you manufacture, distribute or work with chemicals, then you probably know a thing or two about regulations and standards. But do you know all of them, and for every state and country? In this ever-expanding global economy, staying up-to-date on current trends around the world is important, not just for you, but for your consumers as well.

In fact, consumers have been a driving force in the industry’s latest trends. They want to know about the ingredients and chemicals used in their products and what their impact is on human and environmental health. Consumers’ requests for additional knowledge have been so persistent that they’ve led to increased government transparency, oversight and management of chemical regulation, especially as it pertains to labeling. The public has a right to know what’s in each product, how it’s made and what it does, and if a company violates this disclosure agreement, they run the risk of breaching contracts and losing public trust.

For many countries, recent years have brought more stringent regulations. In the United States, chemicals, including pesticides, are governed by several federal acts, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act. However, individual states are stepping up to gain more control and push for better, healthier standards. For example, Massachusetts set forth the Toxics Use Reduction Act, which requires certain manufacturers to report the chemicals they’re using and, in some cases, pay fees.

Similar trends can be applied to other countries, as well. Places like Canada and Europe are moving forward with human health and environmental protection at the forefront. Even places like South and Central America, who had not previously held dedicated chemical laws, are coming up to speed in order to do business with countries that do have stricter regulations in place.

The Impact of Globalization

As the world becomes increasingly connected in both social and business channels, more now than ever, it’s critical to be aware of global regulations and trends. Thanks to social media and the Web, anyone can log on and learn information about a certain product, which goes hand-in-hand with the public’s growing desire for transparency.

Not only is the spread of information important to chemical regulation, but so is the distribution of the products themselves. For example, manufacturers in the U.S. might make a product that adheres to the country’s standards, but does it meet European and Asian standards? Every state and country is different, and these variations in regulation can affect where you’ll be able to sell certain chemicals around the world. If you do try to distribute a chemical that falls short of, say, Canada’s requirements, you could face serious consequences and possibly even a lawsuit.

Know Your Regulations

You can get an in-depth look at all the current chemical regulations around the world with our state-of-the-art regulatory engine. With our help, you can stay knowledgeable about today’s trends and ensure your company complies with the applicable regulations for a successful future.

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