Regulatory Affairs & Product Safety Manager

Position Overview

The Regulatory &Product Safety Manager is responsible for ensuring that the company's chemical ingredients and formulations comply with all applicable global, regional, and local regulations across markets including Home & Personal Care, Industrial Solutions (lubricants, coatings/paints, plastics/polymers etc.), and Pharmaceuticals.

The role leads regulatory compliance strategy, product safety evaluations, lifecycle stewardship, and supports sustainable product development. This position ensures smooth market access, minimizes regulatory risks, and partners closely with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Sales, and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Global Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with international chemical regulations (e.g., REACH/REACH-like regulations, TSCA, CEPA, K-REACH, UK-REACH, India-REACH, China MEE, NICNAS/AICIS/ TGA).
• Leads regulatory submissions, registrations, notifications, and prepares dossiers for chemical substances and blends.
• Maintain regulatory intelligence and monitor emerging regulations affecting HPC, industrial, and pharmaceutical sectors.
• Develop and implement global regulatory strategy to support new product introduction and market expansion.

2. Product Safety & Risk Assessment

• Lead preparation and review of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Product Safety Assessments, Exposure Scenarios, and Labeling (GHS, CLP, OSHA HCS).
• Develop testing strategy, which includes recommending appropriate OECD test guidelines or equivalent & conduct toxicological and environmental safety assessments accordingly (using internal data or third-party labs)
• Evaluate impurities, residuals, and compliance with relevant product safety standards (e.g., IFRA, AISE, EPA, EFSA, FDA/ICH for ingredients used in pharmaceutical or quasi-pharma applications).
• Ensure compliance with global consumer safety standards for HPC applications (EU Cosmetics Regulation, US CFR, ASEAN Cosmetics, etc.).

3. Product Stewardship

• Implement product stewardship programs and ensure responsible lifecycle management of productsfrom R&D innovation to end-of-life.
• Drive sustainability initiatives linked to safer chemicals, biodegradability, VOC reduction, and eco-label certifications.
• Provide guidance on safe handling, transport, storage, and waste management of chemical products.
• Evaluate regulatory and safety impacts during change control, raw material substitution, and process modifications.
• Ensure timely renewals, post-notification updates, and full compliance with local, regional & global regulatory frameworks.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of prohibited/restricted substances and region-specific requirements to guide product portfolio compliance.

4. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Advise R&D during concept and formulation development on regulatory feasibility and compliance risks.
• Partner with Marketing and Sales teams to provide regulatory assurances to customers and support product claims.
• Support Supply Chain and Manufacturing teams on regulatory requirements related to site compliance, chemical inventories, and dangerous goods transportation (ADR, IMDG, IATA).
• Liaise with external regulatory bodies, industry associations, consultants, and auditors.
• Lead regulatory advocacy efforts by engaging with local authorities, government agencies, and industry associations

5. Documentation, Systems & Database Management

• Maintain global regulatory databases (substance inventories, SDS libraries, compliance certificates).
• Oversee Labeling and SDS authoring systems (SAP EHS, Wercs, Sphera, Chemwatch, or similar).
• Manage documentation for product approvals, certifications, and registrations.
• Ensure timely updates of regulatory documents to meet evolving global standards.

6. Customer & Commercial Support

Provide customer-facing regulatory support and respond to requests such as:

• REACH/TSCA compliance statements
• Allergen/food contact declarations
• VOC content data
• Heavy metals/pesticides screening
• IFRA certificates
• Biocidal product compliance (BPR/EPA)
• Support customer audits and provide technical-regulatory training sessions.

7. Audits, Training, and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and deliver internal training programs on product safety, regulatory compliance, and stewardship.
• Regularly audit regulatory readiness and ensure continuous improvement in compliance systems.
• Lead or support corrective actions related to regulatory observations or customer feedback.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education:

• Doctorate or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Toxicology, Regulatory affairs, Environmental Science, or related discipline.

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in regulatory affairs, product safety, or product stewardship in the chemical ingredients, chemical manufacturing or consumer goods industry.
• Experience with regulatory compliance for HPC, industrial chemicals (lubricants, paints, plastics and polymers), or pharmaceutical ingredients.
• Proven experience working with global chemical regulations and international product registrations.
• Familiarity with toxicology, ecotoxicology, and environmental risk assessment.

Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of global chemical legislations and standards.
• Proficiency with SDS authoring tools, regulatory databases, and ERP systems.
• Knowledge of GHS, CLP, BPR, TSCA PMN/LVE, REACH dossier preparation (IUCLID), and other international regulations.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication and cross-cultural collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple global projects and timelines.
• Customer-oriented mindset and ability to translate complex regulations into practical guidance.