Other Voices: 2015 top five trends in enterprise labeling

Editor’s Note: The following column by Josh Roffman, vice president of product management for Loftware, is part of Modern’s Other Voices column. The series features ideas, opinions and insights from end-users, analysts, systems integrators and OEMs. Click here to learn about submitting a column for consideration.

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A variety of factors impacts supply chain strategy and labeling processes, which has become a mission-critical component in the supply chain as businesses continue to expand globally. A recent survey of more than 500 supply chain professionals from a wide range of leading global companies has identified five trends surrounding growing customer demands and evolving regulatory requirements.

1.) Standardized labeling
Standardizing enables labeling consistency, and dramatically streamlines maintenance and oversight, while offering the control to make rapid label changes throughout the supply chain. This standardized approach also helps global companies ensure business continuity in the face of disaster and empowers them to meet complex, global and high volume labeling demands.

2.) Integrated, dynamic labeling
Data-driven labeling can meet evolving customer and regulatory standards. Customers’ labeling requirements are more demanding and variable than ever. However, certified integration to the sources of truth for label data allows companies to automate labeling processes directly from enterprise applications while ensuring label data accuracy.

3.) Labeling intersects the supply chain at all levels
Labeling has become a significant consideration for supply chain activities that span from upstream production to downstream distribution and delivery of finished goods. This is especially true with evolving demands such as globalization of manufacturing, safety and quality of products, shorter lead-times, lean business environments, and changing market dynamics. By increasing supply chain collaboration and extending labeling for business partners and suppliers, businesses can become more responsive and efficient throughout their supply chains.

4.) Technology advances
Cloud-based computing offers possibilities for outsourcing applications and computing infrastructure, enabling companies to concentrate on core competencies. These new deployment models impact many aspects of business including labeling. From browser-based solutions to the Internet of Things (IoT), companies are looking for their labeling solutions to embrace these new models from an access, integration, and deployment perspective.

5.) Evolving global regulations
Labeling is a specific area where constant change is necessary to comply with evolving requirements. More often than ever, companies are looking for solutions that will assist them in achieving compliance in order to avoid fines, disruptions to their supply chains and ultimately loss of business.

Here is a selection of the regulations and standards that are shaping the future of labeling in today’s global supply chain:

GS1 – The GS1 system of standards continues to play a significant role in Food & Beverage, Healthcare and Retail industries among others. GS1 provides standards for providing accurate identification and communication of information regarding products, assets, services and locations in the global supply chain. For more information on GS1: http://www.gs1.org

GHS – The GHS, which continues to impact business in chemical and related industries internationally, is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of chemicals. From raw materials to finished goods delivery, companies are facing more complexity in chemical labeling with risk of heavy penalties for non-compliance.
For more information on GHS: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghs.html

DQSA / DSCSA – Part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) DQSA, the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), supersedes previous state level laws and addresses national track and trace of certain prescription drugs to play an important role with labeling in the pharmaceutical industry. For more information on DSCSA: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugIntegrityandSupplyChainSecurity/DrugSupplyChainSecurityAct/ucm382022.htm

UDI – Phased in over several years, UDI, which requires most medical devices distributed in the United States to carry a unique device identifier, continues to play a significant role with labeling in this industry. This mandate, which was adopted in 2014, is intended to improve patient safety and allows traceability of medical devices from production down to medical use. For more information on UDI: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/UniqueDeviceIdentification/

EU1169 – This European Commission standard, which increases the amount of mandatory information required to sell food products, represents a significant change to what and how information is displayed on food and beverage packaging. Although initiated as a European Union (EU) standard, this directive is far-reaching and impacts suppliers, food service operators, retailers and food business operators at all stages of the food supply chain within Europe and any global suppliers who import or distribute to Europe. For more information on EU1169: http://loftware.com/industries/foodandbeverage.cfm

RoHS – The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, which originated in Europe, restricts the use of six hazardous materials found in varied electrical and electronic equipment.
For more information on RoHS: http://www.rohsguide.com/

About the author
Josh Roffman is vice president of marketing and product management at Loftware, a global market leader in enterprise labeling solutions. Josh has more than 20 years of marketing and product management experience with leading enterprise software companies. Specializing in the impact of supply chain trends on enterprise labeling, Josh frequently speaks at industry events most recently addressing attendees at Oracle’s Value Chain Summit, Pharma Labeling Conference, and the ASUG Fall Focus.