In today’s global marketplace, the simple question of a product’s legality may result in an answer that is anything but simple. The many differences in local legal frameworks between countries can make the issue of legality extremely complex. Confusion abounds and the cost of noncompliance can be high, both literally and figuratively. So how should a company operating internationally best manage the issues of legality and compliance?
The answer lies in global standards. With the evolution of global markets, the establishment and implementation of global standards is now more important than ever to facilitate both corporate transparency and mitigate risk. This includes international standards that address packaging hygiene (Global Packaging Standard), quality (ISO9001), environmental emissions (ISO14001), sustainability (ISO26000), fiber sourcing (FSC and PEFC), and so on.