## 2 Related Work
### Compliance Checks
#### 2.2.2 Industrial Process and General Compliance  
The _industrial process_ is a series of activities that create a product. The product must be worthy of human consumption. The process must follow the best practices. Often, there are industrial practices that are above the bare minimal requirement for safe production. The industrial process will involve human activities as well as autonomous equipment, thus involving a degree of uncertainty. Another key feature of an industrial process is that it will be finite, i.e., as a duration called a process cycle. The _process cycle_ would be repeated again and again to produce the same product, possibly with minor variations with time. From a regulatory point of view, the aim is to ensure that the process complies with the safety, environmental, and human resource requirements. Regulatory procedures ordinarily do not judge the quality of the product or process as long as it is above the minimum requirements.  
In the case of agriculture, the industrial process is the _crop cycle_, which takes a few months. The end product is _food_, which should be safe in terms of content and pests. If exported, it needs to meet biosecurity standards. It also involves both manual labor and IIoT devices to generate localized and continuous data. There are compliance requirements throughout the whole process, from seeding to packaging. Regardless of the length of the process, it is often irreversible. For example, if the agriculture process is corrupted, it impacts food safety and quality. Also, certain events may need to be recorded at a particular time, and failing to record them leaves unfillable gaps in the data for regulatory compliance checks.  
Compliance efforts are hindered by three key challenges: accurate regulatory interpretation [73], seamless data collaboration or transformation [74], and efficient compliance verification. Accurate interpretation of complex regulations is essential to establish clear compliance standards. Seamless data sharing and analysis across systems and organizations is vital for effective compliance monitoring.  
Traditional methods, such as third-party audits and certifications, can be costly and time-consuming, often involving on-site visits [75]. Additionally, communication barriersbetween producers and regulators [76], inconsistent regulatory application [25], and high turnover of supervisors or auditors [77] can further impede and complicate compliance. These third-party entities can provide valuable expertise and assistance, but they can also increase costs and introduce additional layers of complexity to the communication process [78]. Inconsistencies in the application of regulations by different regulators, leading to varying interpretations of rules, inconsistent enforcement actions, and increased compliance costs, can create uncertainty and unfairness for regulated parties. Changes in actual human staff within supervisory units can introduce variability in regulatory oversight. When experienced auditors leave, their knowledge and expertise can be lost, making it difficult to maintain consistent standards.  
Automated and digital solutions may help to address these challenges by streamlining processes, improving accuracy, and enhancing transparency. By leveraging digital technologies, auditors can reduce the frequency and duration of on-site visits, leading to significant cost savings. Measures such as remote monitoring, data analytics, automated document review, and virtual audits can all contribute to a more efficient and cost-effective compliance process.