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Navigating the red tape of regulatory compliance for overseas business expansion

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For any company planning to expand its business overseas, perhaps the most daunting consideration is the dreaded red tape. As cross-border trade grows, so do the number and complexity of regulatory compliance obligations for international businesses. Complying with a whole new set of environmental, health & safety (EHS) regulatory standards can be a tricky affair when expanding internationally, but with the help of a company like ESC, the process can be made relatively simple.

Adapting to a foreign set of regulatory compliance and a different culture

The first step towards making your business regulatory compliant in a new country is knowing which parts of the legal code apply to your business operations and interpreting their practical implications. Only then can you begin to make the necessary adjustments to your business model for the country in question.

 

What’s more, every country will have certain “unwritten rules” to consider, i.e., the cultural nuances regarding EHS procedures which your company needs to heed to avoid friction with its new workforce. Gaining the local knowledge required to thrive in a new jurisdiction can be a long and arduous process in which mistakes may prove costly. That’s why many companies pursuing business expansion overseas enlist the services of EHS consultancy firms such as ESC to alleviate some of the potential teething problems. Going down this road has myriad potential benefits.

 

For example, ESC employs consultants throughout Asia, each of whom has intimate knowledge of local EHS regulations as well as the cultural quirks of their respective countries. Contracting a local EHS consultant to facilitate a transition overseas can save your company the time and energy that would otherwise be spent poring over and interpreting endless pages of legal jargon, as well as reduce the risk of costly errors and oversights.

Keeping regulatory compliance consistent

Adapting your company’s procedures to achieve compliance in another jurisdiction shouldn’t mean forfeiting the efficiency of a company-wide EHS approach. By developing systems and processes to manage EHS compliance and keeping the flexibility to adapt to local requirements, your company can make sure it is compliant in multiple jurisdictions without any loss of productivity.

 

For example, having an up-to-date legal register that includes your company’s regulations in each jurisdiction allows management to monitor legal requirements and compliance status across every branch of the business on one platform.

Choosing the right EHS partner for your business expansion

Having decided to seek the assistance of an EHS consultant to facilitate your regulatory compliance for international business, you set to work in finding the right partner. A quick Google search will reveal no shortage of potential candidates, but how do you know which one will be the best match for your company?

 

Since 2003, ESC has built a reputation as a rock-steady and reliable partner to governments, multilateral finance agencies and multinational corporations across Asia. Furthermore, the company offers a wide range of solutions to support businesses, from country-specific regulatory planning & assessment to EHS & risk management, to helping organisations evaluate and navigate corporate transactions.  

 

With the cumulative local knowledge of its EHS consultants spread across Asia and its global network and governmental connections, ESC can offer your company a single point of contact to solve issues relating to EHS regulatory compliance. Having such a dependable partner to call upon at any moment can help to soften your company’s landing as it expands into new regions.

 

Discover how ESC can assist your organisation to stay ahead of regulations and better manage multi-jurisdiction EHS regulatory compliance across your portfolio.

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