Why Chemical Compliance Matters – Insights from SAP’s Martin Hill

Start now by implementing a centralized chemical information hub to catch risks early, map kinds of substances, and align with protocols used across your product lines. This approach puts information at the center of every decision and protects leadership credibility.

What Martin Hill emphasizes is that compliance cannot be delegated to a single team; it requires cross-functional mind and governance. Align regulatory data with ECHA requirements, keep information up to date, and ensure containment strategies are documented and tested. The approach already reduces rework and bad recalls across operations.

For every product, create a bill of substances that lists each agent and potential interactions; track agent concentrations and exposure; verify containment measures in warehouses, labs, and field operations; apply a balance between speed and safety while pursuing soluții that scale across suppliers.

In the south markets and beyond, regulators push for transparent reporting; your reputation hinges on traceable records and timely updates to customers and stakeholders. Strong leadership sets the tone for how teams deal with noncompliances and supplier audits.

Adopt a continuous improvement loop: update information sources, engage with regulators, and choose soluții that integrate with your existing systems; run regular audits to close gaps in what you know about substances, protocols, and product containment. Keep the mind focused on practical trade-offs and the long-term value for customers and the company’s reputation.

Practical Compliance Framework from SAP’s Martin Hill

Run a three-layer framework that runs across policy, risk screening of substances, and daily procedures to ensure clear ownership and consistent action, already proven to accelerate deployments. This pragmatic structure mirrors SAP’s Martin Hill’s approach and helps teams move from plan to practice with confidence. Aims are mapped to concrete tasks, with owners, timelines, and simple escalation paths to avoid delays.

Centralize data on substances in a single source of truth, including properties, exposure considerations, and interactions with suppliers and customers. The database should include standardized tagging and a brandi-inspired labeling scheme to improve consistency across regions. This centralization accelerates decision-making and meets customers’ expectations.

Education stands as a core lever. Roll out ongoing education for staff and customers, covering procedures, reporting, and risk communication. Said prof Hill that education, delivered in short modules and job aids, keeps teams aligned and reduces errors in day-to-day operations.

Apply technology to automate screening and alerts, integrating SAP platforms where possible. Most checks run automatically, with clear handoffs to procurement and safety teams. This automation saves time and protects people while maintaining human oversight during critical interactions with suppliers and customers.

Define standardized procedures for onboarding new substances, supplier validation, and incident reporting. Include a simple risk-scoring method that factors hazard, exposure, and regulatory status. Running audits twice a year verifies that procedures stay aligned with evolving requirements and with brand and customer expectations away from silos.

Measure performance with transparent dashboards that track risk reduction, time-to-compliance, and training completion. Use these metrics to refine the framework and inform future planning. This strategic view supports customers and internal teams while preserving protection for people and the environment.

Identify regulatory obligations across key jurisdictions and sectors

Create a regulatory matrix that maps obligations by jurisdiction and sector, with owners assigned and timelines defined.

Frame the matrix around relevant laws: EU REACH and CLP, UK REACH, US TSCA and HazCom, Canada CEPA/WHMIS, Australia NICNAS, and GHS-adopted systems in Japan, Korea, and Singapore.

Specify sector-specific requirements: chemicals manufacturing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food-contact materials, and logistics providers that operate warehouses and transport hazardous goods.

Design an approach that links product design, packaging, labeling, and data governance to meet these obligations.

Investing in automation helps: automated data feeds from official sources (источник) keep the matrix current and reduce manual checks.

Past audits show gaps in spill response, gear readiness, and catch procedures.

Provide courses and ongoing training for staff, suppliers, and customers to raise knowledge of regulations and techniques.

Measure progress with a framework of metrics: time-to-classify, accuracy of labeling, number of non-compliances, and readiness in warehouses.

Past lessons emphasize the value of a proactive, cross-functional framework that integrates design, operations, and compliance teams.

Align investing in training and technology with customers and regulators to reduce spills and penalties.

Build a live chemical inventory and hazard classification system

Implement a live chemical inventory today by linking receiving, storage, and usage data into a single system that updates in real time as items move. This thriving setup gives your team plainly visible stock levels, locations, and hazard cues, enabling fast responses to health, safety, and environmental risks.

Choose a data model that covers items and substances, with fields for item_id, name, brandi, CAS, hazard_class, ghs_pictograms, quantity, unit, location, container, lot_number, expiration_date, status, certification, access_level, last_modified, and protocols. Tie each entry to a primary category and the rules that govern handling. This detailed record-keeping supports audit trails and cross-functional management.

Classify hazards using a simple scheme: for each substance, assign a hazard_level and a hazard_description aligned with GHS, and attach an SDS reference. Include known interactions with other substances and specify required controls such as ventilation, PPE, or segregation. This clear approach helps health and safety teams and equipment operators avoid mislabeling.

Data quality process: set required fields, implement validation rules, and enforce access controls so only authorized roles can modify records. Use barcodes or RFID to capture updates from receiving and usage events. Then synchronize with the management system to keep items classified and accessible securely for the whole team.

Interactions management: maintain an interactions matrix that flags compatibility or incompatibility, drives warnings on the user interface, and prompts corrective actions before mixing or storage changes. The cost of not tracking these interactions includes wasted materials, health incidents, and reputational risk to your organization.

Implementation steps and costs: choose a platform that supports live updates, API access, and role-based security. Integrate with ERP or warehouse management, set up barcoding, labeling, and training. Expected costs include software license, hardware for scanners, and initial data cleansing; another option is a managed service, which shifts maintenance costs to the provider. This setup yields lower waste, fewer penalties, and a clearer management picture, reducing the need for manual reconciliation.

Security and compliance: securely store data with access controls, audit logs, and encryption at rest. Require certification for staff handling hazardous substances and provide ongoing training. Build a simple, repeatable protocol that staff can follow for intake, labeling, storage, and disposal, ensuring health and reputation remain protected.

Operational tips: start with high-risk items and broaden coverage to all substances, then add discontinued or seasonal items. Use plain language labels and standardized codes to improve understanding across teams. Regularly review and update the hazard classifications to reflect new guidance and regulatory changes, keeping the process transparent and trusted by stakeholders.

Metrics and governance: track accuracy of inventories, time to locate items, number of hazardous interactions flagged, and audit findings. Use these data to drive certification readiness and continuous improvement for management and operations. The outcome is a system that supports thriving operations, protects health, and preserves your reputation today and tomorrow.

Develop a risk-based safety measures checklist for daily operations

Start today by implementing a risk-based safety checklist for daily operations that focuses on chemical hazards, gases, and critical process steps. According to discussions with SAP’s Martin Hill, appointing a safety lead per shift and completing a concise, one-page checklist at shift start improves risk visibility. This approach ensures compliance with required standards and protects your reputation.

Define hazard categories you monitor and assign a level of risk for each task (low, medium, high). For gases, include ventilation, detection, and response controls; for liquids, verify storage, labeling, and exposure to sunlight is properly managed. This structured approach helps you identify the most dangerous tasks before work begins.

Daily steps include confirming that operators are prepared with the right PPE, that containers are secure, and that suppliers within your network provide current safety data sheets. Verify labeling matches the inventory and that deviations are recorded and escalated. This reduces dangers and supports compliance with standards, while keeping everyone informed.

Education drives safer choices: integrate short, practical refreshers into daily huddles, provide quick quizzes after demonstrations, and track efforts to show progress. When prepared personnel can take ownership, response times improve and the process operates more smoothly, reinforcing your reputation and stakeholder trust.

For continuous improvement, capture incidents, near-misses, and environmental conditions after each shift; use that information to adjust the checklist and invest in targeted improvements. Investing in education and new means of monitoring reduces the time to detect hazards and enhances overall safety across the site.

Avoid common pitfalls: overloading the checklist, neglecting cross-team review, or failing to coordinate with suppliers; ignore sunlight exposure issues or mislabeling; treat required actions with urgency but distinguish them from nice-to-have practices. Following this approach, the risk-based routine takes hold faster and yields measurable gains in safety and reliability than before.

Design role-based safety training modules and drills

Map each role to its hazards and anchor drills within a single, scalable framework; deploy quarterly, scenario-based sessions that combine theory and hands-on practice to reinforce equipment operation standards and compliance. choose realistic scenarios that reflect daily operations and conditions; ensure training helps safeguarding and supports compliance.

1. Role mapping and module structure

   • Choose roles: warehouse operators, forklift drivers, maintenance technicians, supervisors, receiving and shipping staff, quality inspectors.
   • Link each role to the most relevant operations and hazards: chemical handling, conveyor stops, fire safety, lockout-tagout, PPE usage.
   • Design separate modules for core safety and role-specific practices; within warehouses, tailor practical drills to each position while keeping a consistent safety framework.
   • Specify clear terms for competencies and pass marks; ground criteria in observable actions (e.g., “shuts down equipment within 5 seconds”).

2. Curriculum design principles

   • Focus on operations and workflows; within warehouses, layout and throughput shape risk controls.
   • Ensure content is thorough and actionable, featuring checklists, equipment-specific procedures, and step-by-step controls.
   • Choose delivery formats that fit the role: hands-on drills for operators, microlearning for managers; mix simulations, videos, and quick-reference guides.
   • Include safeguarding basics and chemical safety with clear steps to comply with company terms and regulatory requirements.
   • Address fire-resistant PPE and equipment handling where relevant; demonstrate selection, inspection, and proper use.

3. Drills and realism

   • Develop scenario-based drills that mirror real conditions: high noise environments, spill containment, forklift navigation in congested aisles, and fire alarms with partial power loss.
   • Keep drills separate from routine inspections; run 2–3 drills per quarter with varied focus areas to address nuanced risks.
   • Record performance against role-specific checklists to verify readiness; provide immediate feedback and corrective actions.
   • Incorporate PPE checks and fire-resistant gear usage during drills to reinforce correct behavior under stress.
   • Link drills to equipment handling steps and lockout-tagout procedures; ensure operators can comply within the required time window.

4. Delivery formats and compliance tracking

   • Always track completion, competency, and time-to-competency using a centralized platform; store evidence within safety records.
   • Choose a mix of microlearning, on-the-job coaching, and practical simulations that fit each role’s pace and conditions; include quick-reference aids.
   • Use equipment-specific checklists and training tokens to demonstrate compliance with terms and regulatory requirements.
   • Provide near-real-time feedback and guidance to help operators reinforce correct actions at the point of work.
   • Make content accessible near workstations and on mobile devices to support just-in-time learning and safeguarding of operations.

5. Evaluation and improvement

   • Gather nuanced feedback after each session to refine modules and address evolving conditions and equipment upgrades.
   • Review near-miss reports and incident data to adjust drills; update content within 30 days of a process change.
   • Measure outcomes such as reduced incident duration, faster shutdown times, and improved audit scores; use results to strengthen the organization’s reputation as a safety partner.
   • Iterate programs based on feedback from frontline teams to keep training aligned with operations and real-world challenges.
   • Link improvements to safeguarding of people and assets, ensuring training becomes a proactive driver of safer warehouses and distribution networks.

Establish incident reporting, investigations, and corrective action workflows

Recommendation: Implement a standardized incident reporting workflow that triggers immediate notification, investigation, and corrective action within 24 hours of any incident.

Define the scope to cover accidents, near-misses, leaks, and issues with storing chemicals, and map the hazards that could cause harm. Assign clear roles to managers and frontline teams so the work flows are kept aligned across the company.

Establish accessible reporting channels for busy staff: a mobile app, a simple email alias, and a dedicated hotline. Require that every report includes what happened, when, where, and the potential hazard, and ensure evidence is preserved to support the chain of investigation.

Containment and safety actions must be triggered immediately: isolate release points, activate automatic safety systems when appropriate, and check sprinklers to ensure they operate as designed. Quick containment reduces the costs and limits further exposure to human and environmental risk.

Investigation framework: assemble a cross-functional team that includes management, line managers, and an external consultancy when needed, to deal with complex root causes. Use root-cause methods to identify what was caused and how the incident becomes a repeating problem, documenting the chain of events and contributing factors.

Corrective actions and verification: assign owners, set realistic deadlines, and verify closure with evidence review. Tie actions to prevention controls, update procedures for handling chemicals, and train staff. Remember that guarantees are not possible, but robust controls dramatically reduce recurrence and the overall costs of incidents.

Metrics and governance: track time to report, time to complete investigations, and the rate of verified corrective actions. The effectiveness of controls depends on data quality and how quickly you respond; the impact depends on culture and discipline. Monitor the likelihood of recurrence and publish lessons learned across the company. According to policy, report findings to management and align with the broader compliance program.

Leadership and learning: provide targeted training for managers and operators, focusing on human factors, hazard recognition, and safe storage of chemicals. Use concise checklists and short templates to speed reporting and keep the process practical in a busy work environment. Such discipline benefits risk management and helps protect people and assets.