MAINTAINING REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Organisations operating in a regulated environment have an appreciation of the importance of conforming to compliance standards and requirements. So, what does it mean for a company to be compliant? It is broader than following standards set forth by regulators, it also is adherence to an organisation’s internal rules, which encompasses corporate values and principles that guide us when we make decisions. Maintaining regulatory compliance helps protect a company and allows it to maintain control over what commercial and strategic decisions are made because it is not contending with a level of scrutiny that comes with a regulator’s inquiry or investigation, or monitorship.
Simply ‘checking the box’ when it comes to maintaining regulatory compliance does not keep an organisation safe or compliant. So, how do companies maintain compliance?
Monitor regulatory changes. It is critical that a company stays abreast of emerging risks and changes in laws and regulations, and this is not an easy task. Therefore, it is important for organisations to be proactive in understanding what regulatory changes may be on the horizon that could affect their industry or operations in certain geographies. Once a regulatory change occurs, compliance professionals should promptly assess how the change will affect a company’s business and engage with internal stakeholders to evaluate what operational and process adjustments may be required. Maintaining a compliance programme that can adapt to the evolving risk landscape is imperative to effectively respond to regulatory changes. And the ability to do this successfully requires compliance professionals to understand corporate strategy to provide pertinent advice to the organisation.
Jan-Mar 2022 Issue
Patterson Companies, Inc.