Regulatory affairs professionals are responsible for the correct, legal, and safe operation of businesses that handle sensitive materials or potentially dangerous substances and products. Regulatory affairs professionals are frequently employed in the medical, banking, and manufacturing industries. Regulatory affairs officers’ responsibilities vary depending on the company or organization they work for, and can include everything from negotiating with outside agencies to safety testing to product placement and management.
Regulatory affairs jobs are most common in the medical and technology industries. A regulatory affairs specialist who works with medical devices and products ensures that equipment complies with company and government policies and laws. A regulatory affairs specialist might work in the pharmaceutical industry, inspecting drug packaging and ensuring proper handling. This type of expert is responsible for developing and enforcing safety procedures.
Regulatory law professionals, such as regulatory affairs lawyers and paralegals, represent clients who have regulatory issues or concerns. A lawyer in this field might defend a client company in any necessary litigation, as well as draft and negotiate contracts between individuals and businesses. A regulatory affairs paralegal will most likely have specialized knowledge of the field and will work to support and assist regulatory affairs lawyers.
Other types of regulatory affairs jobs deal with specific products, such as beauty products and health applications, which are used on humans and animals. In the product manufacturing industry, a regulatory affairs worker double-checks safety specifications and ensures that marketing and product packaging follow and adhere to specific policies, practices, and laws. This type of regulatory affairs worker also oversees product testing and devises strategies for avoiding and dealing with hazardous situations. She frequently collaborates with both internal and external departments to ensure that a product is designed, built, and packaged according to industry standards.
Regulatory specialists can work in a variety of roles in the banking industry. Regulatory affairs jobs in this industry can include bank officers or officials from outside agencies who perform audits on bank practices, as governments often have oversight of banking and potentially sensitive money situations. Bank officers who specialize in regulatory affairs plan and implement bank policies and procedures to ensure that they are followed. Outside agencies, such as third-party accountants, must examine bank documentation and practices to determine whether or not regulations are being followed.