Therefore, the most basic role of regulatory affairs is to ensure that a company's products and promotional activities comply with the relevant technical regulations or codes of practice. In addition, the regulatory professional will work proactively on forthcoming regulations to ensure a regulatory climate that is based on sound scientific principles, and is reasonable and responsible, without stifling product innovation. A more accurate job description might therefore be 'regulatory management'. This role varies enormously depending on the business category. With this broad range of contacts, a regulatory manager is in an excellent position to see the 'big picture'.
Regulatory affairs requires both technical skills and the ability to think strategically.
Excellent oral and written communication skills are needed because the regulatory professional is frequently interacting with other departments in the company and externally. The ability to interpret data is also critical, whether it is data to support a particular product claim or the results of product analysis. Strategic thinking is also important. Thinking through the best strategy could have a major impact on launch timings or marketing claims, which could affect the overall success of the product. Responsibilities vary depending on both product category and geography.