From the Globe and Mail:

Michael Moffatt, whose business, NexReg Compliance, helps companies navigate overseas regulations, still takes a certain pleasure in pointing to the European Union’s Commission Regulation 2257/94 as an example of why foreign markets can be hard to navigate.

For years, the rule set out the standards for the appropriate condition and curvature of bananas, including a minimum length of 14 centimetres and grade of 27 millimetres.

Regulation 2257/94 was not to be confused with Regulation No 1677/88 – which laid down the rules for cucumbers.

Tired of having the “bendy banana” regulation used as a cudgel against them, EU members voted in 2008 to repeal the regulation. But the mentality that led to its existence is still a powerful force on the other side of the Atlantic.

“The EU is the most heavily regulated market in the world,” says Mr. Moffatt, who founded the London, Ont.-based business, and acts as its director of communications. “You’re going to want to get some assistance with it.”

Doing business overseas is fraught with challenges, and regulatory hurdles are only one of them.

Small businesses have to confront language obstacles, cultural differences, financial barriers and logistical hurdles as they try to get their products into a foreign market. Often, the knowledge to make these leaps doesn’t reside in-house.

How can they tap outside expertise and online resources to help make the leap?

Europe makes a tempting target market these days, especially as the U.S. economy continues to languish.

The United Kingdom, with its commonalities of language and culture, is a common first entry for Canadian companies expanding beyond North America; France offers similar advantages (if perhaps to a lesser extent).

And having broached the Euro zone, businesses can move into other, more challenging European markets.

But for all the commonalities that Western markets share, Europe poses its own challenges.

The full article can be found here.

For further reading click the link above.

Here are the slides from our presentation last week at the SATA Fall Meeting:

14 Regulatory Issues of Interest

We can also send a copy to you via e-mail.  E-mail Mike Moffatt at  info at nexreg dot com.

Nexreg Canada is rapidly expanding and is looking to add members to our Canadian team in London, Ontario, Canada. Our ideal candidate is an intelligent, personable, highly motivated individual that is looking to continue a lucrative career in the regulatory compliance industry.

Location: London, ON.

Salary: Negotiable, based on experience.   Please send salary expectations along with resume.

Hours: Full time – 37.5 hours a week.

Primary Duties:

• Assist regulatory consultants with authoring Canadian and/or Canadian/U.S.compliant MSDSs using Nexreg’s proprietary MSDS authoring system.
• Assist regulatory consultants with authoring Canadian compliant product labels for the industrial, consumer chemical, and cosmetics markets.

Qualifications:

• Minimum one year of experience with MSDS authoring, regulatory consulting or government registrations.
• Completion of a Bachelor degree is required. A degree in a science related field an asset.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel required.
• Second-language ability an asset, but not required.

Location: London, ON, Canada.

About Us: Nexreg Compliance Inc. is a leader in delivering high quality, chemical regulatory compliance, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) authoring and technical translations. We are committed to providing our clients with first rate services, regardless of the regulatory challenge. Our mission is to deliver exceptional chemical regulatory and translation services around the world.

Nexreg offers a highly competitive salary with the potential for significant career advancement. If interested, please e-mail cover letter, current resume and salary expectations ATTN: Jeff Burns, Canadian Regulatory Manager to info@nexreg.com.

Today, a new video has been released in our  ‘Nexreg on Compliance’ video series, which addresses hazard communication (HazCom) issues for jurisdictions such as Canada, the United States and the   European Union.  The videos can be found on Nexreg’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Nexreg.

• Does My WHMIS Label Need to be in French?

This video answers the questions: Do industrial chemical WHMIS labels always need to be in French and English in Canada? Are there any exceptions to the rule?Nexreg plans on adding a new video every Friday.  The questions answered in the video series will come from viewer requests, so please   send your questions to info@nexreg.com.

To learn more about Nexreg Compliance please visit www.nexreg.com or call our toll-free line at (866)361-3032.

Today, a new video has been released in our  ‘Nexreg on Compliance’ video series, which addresses hazard communication (HazCom) issues for jurisdictions such as Canada, the United States and the   European Union.  The videos can be found on Nexreg’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Nexreg.

• Do Green Chemicals Need To Be Disclosed on an MSDS?

If ‘Green’ chemicals are safer alternatives, then do they ever need to be disclosed on an MSDS? It turns out, they do. Being ‘Green’ does not necessarily mean that a chemical is exempt from MSDS disclosure provisions.

Nexreg plans on adding a new video every Friday.  The questions answered in the video series will come from viewer requests, so please   send your questions to info@nexreg.com.
To learn more about Nexreg Compliance please visit www.nexreg.com or call our toll-free line at (866)361-3032.

Today, a new video has been released in our  ‘Nexreg on Compliance’ video series, which addresses hazard communication (HazCom) issues for jurisdictions such as Canada, the United States and the   European Union.  The videos can be found on Nexreg’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Nexreg.

• Importance of MSDS Compliance – The Kellie Renwick Story

In 2010 Kellie Renwick was injured on the job due to the improper handling of chemicals. This video instructs workplaces on how they can avoid worker injuries, investigations and fines by following MSDS compliance and WHMIS rules.Nexreg plans on adding a new video every Friday.  The questions   answered in the video series will come from viewer requests, so please   send your questions to info@nexreg.com.
To learn more about Nexreg Compliance please visit www.nexreg.com or call our toll-free line at (866)361-3032.

Earlier this month, Nexreg launched a free video series titled   ‘Nexreg on Compliance’ which addresses hazard communication (HazCom)   issues for jurisdictions such as Canada, the United States and the   European Union.  The videos can be found on Nexreg’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Nexreg.
Today, a new video has been released:

• Can I Use My U.S. MSDS in Europe or Canada?

This video answers the question “Can I use my U.S. MSDS in Europe, Canada or other jurisdictions?” The video highlights when MSDSs can be ported over to other jurisdictions and when they cannot. As well, there is a brief discussion of GHS.

Nexreg plans on adding a new video every Friday.  The questions   answered in the video series will come from viewer requests, so please   send your questions to info@nexreg.com.
To learn more about Nexreg Compliance please visit www.nexreg.com or call our toll-free line at (866)361-3032.

Earlier this month, Nexreg launched a free video series titled ‘Nexreg on Compliance’ which addresses hazard communication (HazCom) issues for jurisdictions such as Canada, the United States and the European Union.  The videos can be found on Nexreg’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Nexreg.

Today, a new video has been released:

• The Van Halen Theory of Regulatory Compliance

The Van Halen Theory of Regulatory Compliance illustrates why it is important to get the small details right on your MSDS and consumer chemical product labels under CPSC, CCCR and EU regulations.

Nexreg plans on adding a new video every Friday.  The questions answered in the video series will come from viewer requests, so please send your questions to info@nexreg.com.

To learn more about Nexreg Compliance please visit www.nexreg.com or call our toll-free line at (866)361-3032.

Earlier this month, Nexreg launched a free video series titled ‘Nexreg on Compliance’ which addresses hazard communication (HazCom) issues for jurisdictions such as Canada, the United States and the European Union.  The videos can be found on Nexreg’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Nexreg.

Today, a new video has been released:

• What Do I Need to Do to Sell a Cosmetic Product in Canada?

This video details the steps required in order to sell a consumer cosmetic, such as a lipstick or hair gel in Canada for the first time.

Nexreg plans on adding a new video every Friday.  The questions answered in the video series will come from viewer requests, so please send your questions to info@nexreg.com.

To learn more about Nexreg Compliance please visit www.nexreg.com or call our toll-free line at (866)361-3032.