Planning for a Recall in Critical Regulatory Environment

By Mike Rozembajgier

Product safety issues and recalls will always make news. In this age of global supply chains and extensive international trade, and during a time when industry critics and consumer safety advocates are attacking government agencies for their oversight of the recall process, consumer anxiety is at a peak. And rightfully so. Recalls are no less frequent, less dangerous, or less talked about now than ever before. In fact, companies need to expect increased scrutiny from regulatory agencies as regulators continue to increase their product safety efforts and crack down on recall compliance.

With regulators and lawmakers increasingly focused on product safety and recalls, companies must be prepared for the worst-case scenario – a recall that has the potential to destroy a brand. Richard Levick, CEO of Levick Strategic Communications, recently discussed the current recall environment. Citing new data from the ExpertRECALL Index, Levick said that “the data confirm that we have already entered an era in which product recalls are becoming business-as-usual. As the economy improves, there’s every reason to expect that consumer-product recalls will increase as well.”

“The data likewise confirm the need for companies to identify their fault lines and carefully monitor them. For example, where are the greatest risks posed across manufacturing and distributorship – by materials or by labor?” Levick adds.

We couldn’t agree more. Levick mentioned several potential sources of fault for unsafe products or ineffective recall management – each of which needs to be seriously examined. You should take the time to conduct regular assessments of the product safety threats that could affect your company. This includes getting copies of your suppliers’ and distributors’ recall plans and conducting full mock recall drills to ensure that everyone is prepared for the recall when it happens.

“The more conspicuous the commitment to safety now, the more trust the regulators have later, when you’ll really need it,” Levick advises. The same goes for your business partners.

Now is the time to prepare for a recall and build trust and goodwill among the companies and regulators that will matter most to you during a recall. Take proactive, public action to enhance your brand now and bulletproof it in the future. This will come in handy when the public and the media turn their attention to you to make sure that your recall is effective and compliant with recall regulations.

Stericycle ExpertRECALL™ is the industry leader in recall logistics and regulatory compliance for consumer product, pharmaceutical, medical device, juvenile product, and food and beverage recalls. ExpertRECALL’s professionals are experts in recall management who can help you streamline the entire product recall process.