Overview of SAP® Product Compliance Applications

About SAP & Product Compliance

SAP is world leader in providing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. The topic of product compliance is an essential part of business for discrete and process manufacturers and has been supported by SAP for decades. Read about the history of SAP product compliance applications.

With the increased focus on the topic of environment, sustainability and governance (ESG), the topic of product compliance becomes increasingly important. SAP continues to invest and support their customers by providing state-of-the-art sustainability and product compliance solutions.

Product compliance refers to the adherence of a product to specific regulations, standards, and requirements set forth by relevant authorities, industry associations, or market jurisdictions. These regulations and standards are put in place to ensure the safety, quality, environmental impact, and functionality of products, as well as to protect consumers, workers, and the environment. 

Here are a few examples of the various areas of focus of product compliance:

• Product Certification: Compliance with laws and regulations specific to the product's industry and intended market. An example of this is the CE ("Conformite Europeenne") product certification that affirms the goods' conformity with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards.
• Safety Requirements: Ensuring that products are safe for consumers, professional users, and industrial users is a primary concern. Compliance with safety standards helps prevent accidents, injuries, and potential legal liabilities. For example, REACH and the included poison center notification requires manufacturers to submit detailed information about mixtures so that this information is available to poison centres in order to give advice to the citizens or medical personnel in the event of an emergency.

• Environmental Regulations: Many products must meet standards related to their environmental impact, such as restrictions on hazardous substances, energy efficiency, and proper disposal methods. An example of this is the Waste Framework Directive and the related SCIP Database where information about substances of very high concern (SVHC) in articles is available throughout the lifecycle of products and materials, including the waste stage.

• Health and Medical Regulations: Products in industries like pharmaceuticals and medical devices must adhere to stringent regulations to ensure they are safe and effective for use. For example, the European Union's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) 2017/745 introduces rigorous clinical evaluation and post-market surveillance procedures, aiming to enhance patient safety and ensure the quality of medical devices placed on the EU market

• Supplier and Supply Chain Compliance: Supply chain collaboration is vital for compliance due to the complexity of modern supply chains involving multiple parties. For example, in the textile industry, clothing manufacturers collaborate with fabric suppliers to ensure compliance with PFAS regulations.

Failure to comply with product regulations can result in legal consequences, including fines and product recalls. Therefore, manufacturers and businesses must ensure their products meet all applicable compliance requirements before bringing them to market.

At opesus, our expertise is in product compliance and [therefore] product marketability. This means adhering to product compliance regulations to ensure unhindered market access, including access to new markets which could lead to increased sales potential, broader customer reach, greater revenue opportunities, and protect brand reputation for sustained business growth.

Examples of Product Compliance Regulations

• Guide to CLP Art. 45 Poison Center Notification
• Guide to the SCIP Database
• Guide to Swiss Product Notification, Swiss ChemO