How to Choose a Third-Party Compliance Provider: 4 Things to Look for

Navigating the complicated web of compliance is tough to handle alone. That’s why many manufacturers, importers, and retailers of stuffed articles lean on a third-party provider to handle compliance on their behalf.

But how do you choose the right compliance provider for your products and your business?

In this four-step guide, we will show you what to look for when choosing a partner like Global Registration Services (GRS) that can get your stuffed articles compliant the right way — and keep them compliant for all the years to come.

#1: Beyond Transactions: Building Relationships

In general, there are two types of companies that offer compliance support for stuffed articles: transactional companies that provide a particular service, and companies that offer partnerships for truly comprehensive support.

Transactional

Transactional compliance providers complete the task at hand and don’t worry about the bigger picture. They process licenses, print law labels, and move onto the next customer.

While this approach is very straightforward, it can have major repercussions for your business. Since they don’t ask questions about your business, products, or market position, transactional compliance providers don’t understand how every element contributes to the bigger picture of your complete, ongoing compliance.

Transactional compliance can expose your products to consequences like fines, violations, and off-sales down the road.

Partnership

Comprehensive compliance partners like GRS focus on the bigger picture. We take the time to understand your business, your products, and your goals to become a partner rather than just a service provider.

As your full-service compliance partner, we offer tailored solutions that align with your business strategies. We understand how every part of compliance affects your business at large so you can avoid costly mistakes at every step.

If you want ultimate peace of mind for your stuffed articles, don’t look for a transactional provider — look for a partner like GRS.

#2: Comprehensive Compliance Services

Compliance is complex and made of several moving parts. Between license applications, law label design and printing, and ongoing compliance concerns like renewals, there’s a lot to juggle.

There are some compliance providers that offer some of these services, but not all of them. One might help you apply for licensing, but doesn’t help with law labels. Likewise the company that designs your law label might refer you to a separate printing partner.

The issue with this approach is that it’s easy for things to get lost in the shuffle between your various compliance providers. When you partner with GRS, we handle every element of compliance in-house so nothing is left to chance.

Two Companies, One Comprehensive Approach

Our comprehensive approach to compliance is thanks to our unique business model. GRS handles licensing and ongoing compliance, while our sister company American Law Label handles label design and printing. 

GRS and ALL’s offices are located in the same building, so every step of the process is handled seamlessly under one roof. You can rest easy knowing that you have one unified team of licensing and labeling experts dedicated to getting your stuffed articles compliant and keeping them compliant.

#3: Deep Industry Knowledge

Stuffed article compliance is an ever-evolving field, and staying in the know is an absolute necessity for your business’s success.

A transactional provider might be able to fill your immediate needs, but they might not understand the broader context of the stuffed articles industry. That lack of insight can lead to mistakes, delays, and compliance issues down the road.

Trust the Experts

The GRS team is made up of licensing and labeling experts with 20+ years of extensive industry knowledge. We are personally familiar with the specific regulations and standards that apply to your stuffed articles and your business. 

We understand how licensing and labeling fit into the bigger compliance and quality assurance picture. This expertise ensures that our solutions are not only accurate but also aligned with industry best practices.

With our extensive, long-lasting relationships with various regulatory agencies, GRS is often among the first to know about upcoming compliance laws and updates that affect your business.

Industry Associations

As the saying goes, it’s one thing to talk the talk — walking the walk is another matter altogether. GRS is actively involved with many of the leading organizations in stuffed article compliance in various capacities.

• American Home Furnishing Alliance (AHFA) — speaking, sponsoring, members
• International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) — speaking, sponsoring, members
• International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) — sponsoring, members
• Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) — speaking, members

Our active relationships with these organizations make the GRS team some of the most knowledgeable compliance professionals in the industry. We bring that deep, timely knowledge to the table for our clients every day.

#4: Solutions + Training = Compliance Success

Providing a service is one matter — helping your team grow their expertise is another. A third-party compliance partner should do more than just help you cross off your compliance checklist. They should actively contribute to the growth of your team’s compliance knowledge, too.

In addition to our comprehensive licensing and labeling services, GRS offers consulting and training programs for our partners. Whether you are a manufacturer, importer, or retailer, we can help your team understand the intricacies of compliance so you can grow your in-house capabilities.

Stay on the Cutting Edge of Compliance

When it comes to compliance practices, tried-and-true does not always cut it. Compliance regulations are always changing, and what was best practice in spring might no longer be compliant in autumn.

That’s why it’s so important to choose a compliance partner that is on the cutting edge of the industry. GRS is actively involved in the leading professional organizations in the industry, which keeps us up to date with the latest trends and regulations that affect your business.

IABFLO Members Since 1991

One organization of note is the International Association of Bedding and Furniture Law Officials (IABFLO), the governing body that approves law labels for stuffed articles. IABFLO is the biggest provider of guidance and leadership in the compliance industry.

GRS and ALL have been proud and active members of IABFLO for 30+ years, from delivering keynote speeches to curating the quarterly IABFLO newsletter. Our close relationship with IABFLO allows us to provide uniquely informed guidance and support for our partners.

Choose GRS for a Comprehensive Compliance Partnership

Don’t risk your products’ compliance with a transactional provider. Get complete peace of mind by partnering with the compliance experts at Global Registration Services.

Our mission is simple: to help your business avoid unnecessary costs, increase efficiency and save time while navigating the complex world of compliance. No matter where you are on your compliance journey, we can help you take a confident step forward.