SAP Compliance: Marketability Checks, Dangerous Goods Checks, and Safety Data Sheets
The main motivation for companies to use SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance is to reliably meet regulatory and company-specific product requirements with only little manual effort. Numbers as well as complexity of regulations are increasing constantly. Non-compliance can result in significant financial penalties and considerable financial and reputational damages will be the consequence. Therefore, a multitude of regulations, guidelines, national laws and rules must be taken into account when marketing products. Essential requirement is the conformity with all relevant legal requirements. Which legal requirements are relevant results from involved business partners such as producers, distributor, downstream users, etc., in combination with the respective relevant validity areas such as EU, NAFTA, Germany, USA, China etc. Where applicable, also local regulations – such as in certain US States in place – need to be considered.
With SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance, S/4HANA features embedded compliance as an enhanced functionality. SI PRO advises on company-wide integrated product compliance concepts and roadmaps based on SAP solutions. Further SI PRO possesses the knowledge of comprehensive best practices for mapping any country-specific legal requirements within the regions Europe with EMEA, North- and South-America as well as Asia-Pacific. Just as one example, SI PRO has already implemented more than 300 different country-specific product testings and trade controls in SAP systems for its clients, or also all chemical inventory and dangerous goods regulations.
We support our clients in mapping the implementation of legal requirements with the corresponding SAP solutions such as SAP S/4 HANA for Product Compliance and Integration into business processes.
The following outlines typical requirements and solutions with SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance and SI PRO best practices. Regarding the terminology: SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance is often referred to as “Product Compliance new” while the long-standing solution SAP EHS for Product Safety and Stewardship is also known as “Product Compliance classic.”
Compliance Master Data Providing
SI PRO has established best practices and Signavio reference processes to efficiently map product master data, including compositions, packaging, and legally relevant data—supplemented by SAPembedded content as well as additional content, for example via the 3E Hybrid Adapter. This enables the automated determination of dangerous goods classification, hazardous substance assessment, and hazardous substance labelling for products by leveraging the rules and functionalities of Product Compliance classic.
These compliance master data are assigned to the products for further use in subsequent processes. Examples include master data for compliance checks in product development, the creation of safety data sheets, and compliance checks in logistics or the digital supply chain, such as dangerous goods checks or the preparation of dangerous goods documents.
Integration of Supplier Data
An important requirement is the management of supplier materials, including supplier specifications, declarations, and safety data.
SI PRO provides best practices and solutions for the integration of suppliers and supplier materials, as well as for ensuring quick response times to initial supplier inquiries and updates.
Compliance Checks in Product Development
The goal of providing compliance master data is to support the entire product lifecycle, i.e., to perform compliance checks already during product development.
SI PRO offers best practices for integrating compliance checks into SAP PLM (SAP Recipe Development), SAP QM, and external PLM systems. In this process, bills of materials (BOMs) or recipes are used to check for prohibited or regulated substances, as well as any applicable limits. These checks support the entire product lifecycle from design to operate.
Safety Data Sheet Creation and Distribution
With respective compliance templates and compliance requirements, SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance provides the possibility to create safety data sheets (SDS). The required information is captured directly via Fiori apps and can then be generated as a legally compliant safety data sheet. SI PRO supports companies in analyzing and implementing this solution for SDS creation with SAP Product Compliance new.
Another way to create safety data sheets with SAP Product Compliance is through hybrid generation using the 3E ERC+ Suite via the 3E Hybrid Adapter. In this scenario, a Product Compliance classic system with the 3E ERC+ Suite acts as the SDS authoring system, while the Product Compliance new system handles the remaining processes. Relevant information is exchanged between Product Compliance new and Product Compliance classic via the Hybrid Adapter. This solution enables companies to take advantage of modern processes in SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance, while continuing to generate the safety data sheets required in some of these processes with the highly automated and proven 3E ERC+ Suite in a Product Compliance classic system.
Labels and Label Printing
As part of the labelling requirements of sales products and their packaging, it is usually necessary for chemical products or other hazardous goods to print not only general product information but also hazardous substance and dangerous goods data on the labels. Also for labels, compliance requirements based on compliance templates are available, containing the information to be displayed on the labels.
SI PRO supports with the design and the implementation of label printing using SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance. Furthermore, SI PRO is also a partner of Loftware and provides support for setting up the Loftware Cloud for the management and printing of labels with hazardous substance and dangerous goods data, as well as other logistical information.
Companies rely on us
Integration of Product Compliance in Order and Delivery Processes
SAP S/4HANA supports the integration of compliance data from SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance within certain logistics processes, for example in safety data sheet checks, dangerous goods checks, put away checks or marketability checks based on regulatory listings. This helps companies to legally comply with requirements across a wide range of countries and regions.
SI PRO also offers comprehensive best practices for mapping legal and country-specific requirements in the EMEA, Americas and APAC regions. For example, SI PRO has implemented more than 300 different country-specific product checks and trade controls in SAP systems for customers, as well as mapping all chemical inventories and dangerous goods regulations in SAP.
Integration of Product Compliance in Procurement Processes
Compliance checks can also be performed within procurement documents. For example, the admissibility of a REACH relevant product being imported from outside the EU into the EU can be monitored. In addition, the compliance status of a supplier can be checked against various legal requirements, such as the “Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains” (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG) or against internal company requirements, such as chemical approvals.
Integration of Product Compliance into Transportation Processes
With SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance, transportation planning and execution can be supported through SAP Transportation Management. In this context, dangerous goods data can primarily be used to assess the legality of transporting dangerous goods on a specific route and/or with a specific mode of transport, as well as to apply applicable segregation and loading regulations to the transport. Furthermore, the data can be used to consider potential exemptions for a transport, such as those under ADR 1.1.3.6 ("1,000-points rule"), Limited or Excepted Quantities or exemptions based on the viscosity of a flammable product.
Information Sharing of Dangerous Goods Data
SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance supports the distribution of dangerous goods data within logistics processes, for example the inclusion of dangerous goods data in shipping documents (such as freight notes or specific dangerous goods documents like the Shipper's Declaration for air transport or the IMO Declaration for sea transport). Dangerous goods data can also be integrated into electronic data exchange, for example with freight forwarders or other transport service providers. SI PRO has extensive experience in dangerous goods handling across all modes of transport and regulations, gained from numerous projects in the EMEA, Americas, and APAC regions.
Substance Volume Tracking
With substance volume tracking, imported, manufactured and/or sold quantities can be tracked and monitored for regulated substances. Substance volume tracking can be set up in accordance with regulations such as REACH, TSCA, CEPA and others. SI PRO has many years of experience in implementing substance volume tracking for various chemical inventories.
Auditability
Master data, changes, distributed safety data sheets and substance volumes are tracked and therefore fully auditable. SI PRO supports customers during internal and external audits.
SAP Product Compliance and Sustainability
SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance also plays a role in the area of SAP sustainability solutions. Data on regulatory requirements, industry standards, product compositions and hazardous substance properties are also of central importance for sustainability requirements. SI PRO, for example, has implemented solutions for SAP Sustainability Footprint Management. In this context, data from SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance can be integrated into SAP Sustainability Footprint Management.
Customer references
Schaltbau
A leading specialist in rail and DC technology
SAP PRC Enables Automated REACH & RoHS Compliance
Ensuring Product Compliance with REACH and RoHS required an automated solution that provides regulatory certainty while efficiently supporting data exchange with suppliers, customers, and authorities.
Our solution approach:
- Implementation and customizing of SAP Product and REACH Compliance
- Optimization of the Bill of Materials (BOM) transfer for consistent compliance data
- Automated creation of compliance documents for REACH SVHC and EU RoHS
- Development of a solution for seamless communication with customers and suppliers from SAP PRC
- Integration of the ECHA SCIP database via Compliance Data Exchange (CDX)
- Enhancement of the IMDS interface for automated data exchange
Result: A fully integrated, automated compliance solution that reliably meets regulatory requirements, ensures transparency across the supply chain, and sustainably safeguards product conformity.
FACC AG
a leading global aerospace supplier
SAP EHSM manages product compliance beyond REACH & RoHS
The introduction of SAP Product Compliance was aimed at enabling seamless integration with the existing SAP EHS substance management while ensuring that regulatory requirements are continuously updated and expanded.
Our solution approach:
- Implementation of SAP Product Compliance to comply with REACH SVHC and RoHS
- Integration into the existing SAP EHS substance database
- Extension of bill of material (BOM) transfer to reuse existing substance data
- Implementation of an automated update mechanism for regulatory lists
- Setup of additional regulatory lists for the aerospace industry
- Creation of compliance documentation
- Conducting end-user training
Result: An integrated compliance solution that efficiently leverages existing EHS data, keeps regulatory requirements up to date, and enables reliable product assessments across multiple regulations.
LANXESS
a leading global specialty chemicals company
SAP GLM+ Etikettenlösung stabil betrieben in R/3 & S/4HANA
To ensure the smooth operation of the SAP EH&S GLM+ solution, LANXESS required reliable functional and technical support that extended beyond the existing R/3 system landscape into the new S/4HANA environment.
Our solution approach:
- Ensuring stable operation of SAP EH&S GLM+ in both R/3 and S/4HANA
- Comprehensive 2nd‑ and 3rd‑level support for all relevant processes and applications
- Operation, installation, and monitoring of WWI print servers handling approx. 7 million labels per year
- Continuous enhancement through change requests, new features, and maintenance of customer‑specific extensions
- Creation, maintenance, and validation of label templates as well as support for all relevant master data
- Ensuring seamless integration into logistical processes and connected systems
The result: A future‑proof EH&S labeling solution with stable processes, an integrated system landscape, and reliable label printing across system boundaries.
Alunorf
one of Europe’s leading aluminum hot rolling mills
SAP EHSM Establishes Integrated Risk Management
With the introduction of SAP EHSM Risk Management, the customer aimed to establish an integrated occupational health and safety system covering chemical management and risk assessments, while fully replacing an existing non-SAP hazardous substance database.
Our solution approach:
- Design and implementation of chemical approval, chemical management, and a hazardous substance register
- Introduction of risk assessments based on the Simple Measures Concept for Hazardous Substances (EMKG)
- Replacement of the legacy hazardous substance database including data cleansing and migration
- Provision of migration tools and execution of the data migration
- Delivery of training, user acceptance testing (UAT), and go-live support
Result: An integrated, SAP-based occupational health and safety solution that ensures transparent risk management, reliable regulatory compliance, and sustainable integration of workplace safety into business processes.
DuPont
international provider of advanced materials
Continuous Improvement with SAP Recycling Administration (REA)
By continuously enhancing SAP Recycling Administration (REA), the customer aimed to ensure ongoing compliance with European recycling regulations and to reliably implement new requirements such as the Plastic Tax in the UK and Spain.
Our solution approach:
- Functional and technical maintenance of the existing SAP REA solution
- Redesign and extension of the fraction concept in line with European regulatory requirements
- Implementation of the SAP REA Plastic Tax framework for the UK and Spain, including recycled content rules
- Concept and execution of data migration for new recycling fractions
- Operational support including 2nd- and 3rd-level support and implementation of change requests
- Preparation of REA data for extraction and reporting in SAP BW
Result: A future-proof SAP REA solution that flexibly supports regulatory changes, reliably handles Plastic Tax requirements, and provides transparent recycling data for reporting and analysis.
LANXESS
a leading global specialty chemicals company
SAP GLM+ centralizes label management in S/4HANA
With the objective of making labeling processes future-proof and efficient, a centralized label management solution based on SAP GLM+ was to be established in the SAP S/4HANA environment, harmonized, and implemented as a pilot for future global rollouts.
Our solution approach:
- Establishment of a centralized label management system with SAP GLM+ in S/4HANA
- Harmonization and standardization of label layouts, sizes, and printing processes
- Ensuring regulatory compliance according to GHS/CLP and EHS requirements
- Implementation of a fit‑to‑standard approach as a template and pilot for NORAM
- Enhancement of printing scenarios as well as data and print logics for QM and hazardous substance labels
- Dynamic layout control with automated hide/show functionalities
- Integration into production, warehouse, shipping, and transportation processes
Result: A standardized, regulatory‑compliant labeling management solution based on S/4HANA that reduces manual effort, integrates core processes, and provides a scalable foundation for global rollouts.
Deutz
publicly listed engine manufacturer
SAP Manages Emission Compliance for Combustion Engines
To reliably meet emission regulations for combustion engines, the customer required an SAP-based solution capable of handling complex engine variants, type approvals, and labeling, while seamlessly integrating all relevant business processes.
Our solution approach:
- Mapping of all relevant emission compliance regulations within SAP
- Management of type approvals as well as complex product and variant structures
- Integration of engineering, production, sales, and logistics processes
- Implementation of online compliance checks within sales and production planning
- Development of a migration concept for existing engine variants
- Design and printing of engine nameplates directly from SAP
Result: An end-to-end emission compliance solution that ensures regulatory certainty, manages high product complexity, and efficiently embeds emission requirements into operational processes.
Düllberg Konzentra
manufacturer of high-quality fragrance and flavor ingredients
SAP Product Compliance: From SDS Authoring to S/4HANA
By replacing the existing SDS authoring solution with SAP Product Compliance, Düllberg Konzentra aimed to improve regulatory compliance for globally created safety data sheets, reliably assess highly complex product compositions, and prepare its system landscape for the future S/4HANA transformation.
Our solution approach:
- End‑to‑end project execution from process analysis and requirements gathering to go‑live and support
- Functional support for the responsible departments throughout all project phases
- Introduction of SAP Product Compliance as the central platform for SDS management
- Integration of customer‑specific functionalities via interfaces supplied with data from SAP Product Compliance
- Coordination and support of integration testing
Result: A future‑proof, integrated compliance solution that reliably maps complex product compositions, strengthens global SDS processes, and provides a robust foundation for a successful S/4HANA transformation.
Quarzwerke Gruppe
Supplier of high-quality industrial minerals and quartz
SAP EHS at Quarzwerke: Automated SDS & Compliance
By replacing the existing SDS authoring solution with SAP EHS, Quarzwerke aimed to improve compliance for safety data sheets and other safety-related documents, automate document distribution, and ensure transparent tracking of document receipt.
Our solution approach:
- Implementation of SAP EHS as a central platform for SDS and safety-related documentation
- Design and enhancement of the automated SDS distribution process including receipt tracking
- Rollout of a harmonized, company-wide solution
- End-to-end project delivery from requirements definition through ongoing support
- Continuous support of the business departments throughout all project phases
- Training of employees across the Quarzwerke Group
Result: A centralized, automated EHS solution that standardizes compliance processes, increases transparency in document distribution, and ensures the reliable provision of SDS across the entire organization.
HF Sinclair
International provider for fuels and specialty products
CLP Notifications with 3E Notify: Automated & SAP‑Integrated
To efficiently meet notification obligations in accordance with Article 45 and Annex VIII of the CLP Regulation, the reporting process needed to be automated, made audit-proof, and significantly reduced in manual effort. At the same time, notifications had to be focused on fee-based countries to lower overall costs.
Our solution approach:
- Implementation and SAP integration of 3E Notify for automated CLP notifications
- Identification of required notification combinations through analysis of relevant SAP master data
- Provision of reports to determine relevant target countries and legal entities
- Ensuring full traceability and auditability of notification history
- Training of users to effectively operate the implemented solution
Result: An SAP-integrated, automated CLP notification process that reliably meets regulatory requirements, significantly reduces manual effort, and ensures transparency and cost efficiency in regulatory reporting
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Our consultants are familiar with specific issues, business processes, the latest SAP solutions, technologies, and appropriate procedures.
We can support you throughout your project’s entire life cycle, from analyzing your requirements to project planning, implementation, and maintenance.
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