06-08-2025
How EHS Best Practices Provide Stability Amid Regulatory Shifts
Ted Kail is the Chief Product Officer at Cority, overseeing Product Management, Solution Marketing and Enablement.
The regulatory landscape for environmental, health and safety (EHS) standards is in a state of constant evolution. From efforts to change EPA emissions standards to new workplace safety regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), industries are navigating significant shifts in policies that affect every aspect of their operations.
Businesses that adhere to solid EHS best practices will find stability, even amid rapidly evolving and unpredictable regulatory changes.
The Costly Impact Of Regulatory Shifts On Business Operations
The nature of regulatory change can be both disruptive and costly. As industries adapt to new or modified regulations, companies often face unforeseen expenses, from compliance fines to potential lawsuits due to inadvertent violations. These changes create challenges not just for compliance teams but also for operational efficiency and safety protocols.
One of the biggest hurdles companies face is the speed at which regulations evolve. A regulation that was in place for several years can suddenly be overhauled, forcing companies to pivot quickly. For example, when occupational safety regulations or environmental reporting standards change, companies may need to update their safety equipment, retrain staff and redesign their operations to meet new criteria, all of which come with a financial cost.
According to a report by the National Association of Manufacturers, the total annual cost of regulatory compliance in the U.S. exceeds $3 trillion, with many companies facing significant financial burdens due to changing regulations.
Not to mention, frequent regulatory changes can lead to confusion among employees and stakeholders, especially when it's not clear what exactly needs to be done to stay compliant. This confusion, if not addressed properly, can result in lapses in safety and compliance, putting workers and businesses at risk.
How EHS Best Practices Serve As A Safety Net During Regulatory Change
So, how can companies stay ahead of these challenges? The key is maintaining robust EHS best practices. While regulations may change, a commitment to high safety standards and continuous improvement will always provide a solid foundation for compliance.
Focusing specifically on the S of EHS, the first step is to establish a culture of proactive safety. This involves ongoing education pertaining to safety procedures, emergency protocols and regulatory updates for all employees within an organization. Training is crucial, not just when new regulations are announced, but as part of an ongoing, everyday commitment to safety.
OSHA regularly updates its guidelines, and businesses must stay on top of these changes to protect their employees and avoid fines. Ensuring employees are trained in the latest safety measures and compliance standards will help reduce workplace incidents.
Another important best practice is regular audits and assessments of both safety systems and compliance processes. These audits can help identify potential gaps in safety protocols before they become serious problems.
For example, tools like the ISO 45001 certification can guide organizations in establishing comprehensive safety management systems, fostering a culture of safety that adapts quickly to regulatory changes.
Automation tools and software can simplify the tracking of regulatory changes, ensuring that companies are always up to date with the latest standards. Additionally, data-driven approaches can provide insights into safety performance, helping businesses identify trends and areas that may need improvement.
Best practices also involve a commitment to transparency. By maintaining open communication with regulatory bodies, employees and stakeholders, businesses can better understand new regulations and demonstrate their commitment to compliance. Transparency, coupled with sound safety practices, helps build trust with employees and the communities in which companies operate.
How To Build A Resilient EHS Framework That Adapts To Change
Resiliency means not only adapting to changes quickly but also anticipating them. Here is how companies can achieve this:
1. Create flexible safety protocols and implement a robust change management process. The foundation of a resilient business is its ability to adjust swiftly. Instead of rigid safety practices, companies should focus on creating flexible protocols that allow for quick adaptation to new regulations and having access to clear, traceable data that they can leverage to inform operational decisions that improve performance.
2. Implement scalable systems. As businesses grow, their safety and compliance needs will evolve. Scalable safety systems allow for the seamless addition of new safety measures or processes as regulations change without disrupting operations. An example of a scalable solution is implementing a cloud-based EHS management system that can scale with the growth of a business while adapting to changes in regulatory requirements.
3. Leverage EHS technology. With the right tools in place, companies can automate and streamline the compliance process. Software that tracks regulatory changes, manages reporting requirements and monitors safety performance ensures businesses are prepared for whatever comes next.
4. Engage with regulators. Staying ahead of regulatory changes often involves building relationships with industry regulators and policymakers. By engaging early in the regulatory process, businesses can influence the direction of policy and gain a better understanding of upcoming changes.
5. Foster a culture of safety. A resilient business also invests in fostering a culture of safety at every level. Ensuring that safety is part of every conversation—from the boardroom to the factory floor—ensures that everyone is aligned and ready to act when regulations change.
In an environment where regulatory changes are inevitable, the businesses that succeed are those that take proactive steps to maintain high standards and continuously adapt. EHS best practices—such as regular audits, robust training, leveraging technology and creating flexible systems—can provide the stability companies need to navigate this ever-changing landscape.
The goal for any organization should be to not just react to new regulations but to anticipate them and be ready for whatever changes may come next. By doing so, businesses can protect their employees, avoid compliance pitfalls and foster a safer, more resilient workplace for the future.
As the EHS industry faces an increasingly volatile regulatory environment, one thing is clear: Proactive adaptation and continuous improvement are essential. Now, more than ever, companies must prioritize safety and compliance, not as a reactive measure, but as a core part of their resilient business model.
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