In today’s regulatory landscape, manufacturing companies face increasing pressure to comply with environmental, product, and trade laws. From EU REACH and RoHS, to TSCA, Prop 65, and Conflict Minerals, the rules are complex and constantly evolving.
Building a structured compliance program is not just about avoiding fines — it’s about protecting your brand, ensuring supply chain reliability, and creating trust with customers.
Below is a step-by-step checklist to help manufacturers design a compliance program that actually works in practice.
Define Compliance Ownership
- Appoint a Compliance Manager/Administrator or designate a responsible team.
- Clearly outline roles and responsibilities (supplier engagement, reporting, training).
- Secure executive support — leadership buy-in ensures compliance is prioritized.
Identify Regulatory Scope
- List all applicable regulations: REACH, RoHS, TSCA, Prop 65, WEEE, Conflict Minerals, SCIP, ESG disclosures.
- Map which business units, products, and markets are affected.
- Stay updated — regulations evolve (e.g., new REACH SVHCs, RoHS exemption expirations).
Establish a Supplier Management System
- Maintain a supplier database with compliance contacts, declarations, and certifications.
- Collect standardized templates (CMRT, EMRT, IPC-1752A, DoCs).
- Set reminders for expiring declarations and missing supplier responses.
Implement Internal Processes
Create documented SOPs (standard operating procedures) for:
- New product introductions (NPI) → compliance checks before launch.
- Change management → ensure compliance when switching suppliers or materials.
- Incident handling → steps to take if non-compliance is discovered.
- Integrate compliance checks into purchasing, design, and QA workflows.
Training & Awareness
- Train engineers, procurement, and quality teams on key regulations.
- Provide refreshers when major regulatory changes occur.
- Share practical dos and don’ts (supplier document requirements, labeling rules).
Audit & Verification
- Conduct regular audits of supplier documentation and testing data.
- Use third-party labs for targeted RoHS/REACH testing when risk is high.
- Keep a Technical File and Declaration of Conformity (DoC) ready for audits.
Reporting & Communication
-
Create compliance dashboards for management visibility.
- Submit required reports:
- SCIP notifications for SVHCs
- TSCA inventory updates (U.S.)
- Prop 65 warnings (California)
- SEC filings for conflict minerals
- Communicate results internally (progress, gaps, deadlines).
Continuous Improvement
- Track regulatory updates (ECHA, EPA, OEHHA, RMI).
- Review and update compliance processes annually.
- Benchmark against peers and industry standards.
Key Takeaway
A working compliance program is not a one-time setup — it’s a living system that evolves with your supply chain and regulations.
By following this checklist, manufacturing companies can build a compliance program that is structured, proactive, and audit-ready — reducing risks and ensuring smooth market access.
