Virtual Compliance Manager (VCM)

Comtest Group – Virtual Compliance Manager (VCM)

This video presents a conversation between Laura and Mary regarding Comtest Group and their Virtual Compliance Manager service.

The conversation explains how the Virtual Compliance Manager service came about and how it is helping product suppliers ensure their products are currently and continually compliant for the Australian and New Zealand markets.

A transcript of the discussion is as follows:

Laura: Hi Mary, and many thanks for doing this video with me.  I would like to ask you a few questions about the Comtest Group’s Virtual Compliance Manager program.  Can I ask what led to the development of this program and its services and what level of assistance Comtest can provide your clients?

Mary: Sure, it grew from customer requests for having our expertise to assist with their compliance and compliance folder needs, be it a large international client that wants in-country assistance or SME that don’t have the in-house knowledge to manage their compliance requirements for Australia and New Zealand.  It is about making sure our clients are compliant and that the compliance process is made as easy as possible for them.  Over many years, we have found that we have lots of clients that either don’t have a product compliance specialist in their business or require in-country assistance for their local compliance and documentation.  Equally, some clients do have an in-house compliance specialist, however, the specialist requires support and guidance to maintain a compliant status.

Laura: Can you explain what the Virtual Compliance Manger VCM program is about?

Mary: Our VCM packages start from simple gap analysis of compliance documentation through to managing the whole in-country process and maintaining documentation for the life of the products.

Laura: So, what types of clients currently utilise the Virtual Compliance Manager services and what are some of the difficulties you find when trying to promote the Virtual Compliance Manager program?

Mary: Our clients range from sole traders right through to the very largest multi-nationals.  Many of our clients have a sales office, but no in-country technical specialists, many small and some international clients don’t fully understand their legal obligations and requirements when supplying products into the Australian and New Zealand markets.  Quite regularly, clients don’t understand what the documentation requirements are.  The Virtual Compliance Manager program is a great way to have a local team that fully understand the local regulatory requirements, who can assist with navigating what can often be a minefield of information.  Test reports, as an example, need to meet the Australian requirements.  Depending on the type and risk level of the product determines what level of testing and accreditation is required.  Use of the CE mark and CE certificates do not hold any validity in Australia.  Also, depending on the risk level of the products, will determine the various registrations testing and documentation requirements.  As I said, if you don’t fully understand the requirements, it’s a bit of a minefield.

Laura: Do you think some people might perceive that your program services may effectively put in-house compliance mangers out of a job?  And, out of interest, how many compliance mangers does Comtest employ?

Mary: That is a good question, Laura, let me explain.  Yes, some managers may initially think they could lose their job because we will take over, but that is not the case.  If anything, we work closely with the compliance managers to make their job easier.  The Virtual Compliance Manager program is based around a team of experts who work together to ensure that they and our clients receive the most up-to-date information regarding compliance.  The program relies on the input from a team including the client.  Currently, the collective years of experience is well in excess of 120 years.

Laura: It sounds like this level of expertise and assistance would be quite expensive.  Also does this service apply only to electrical safety requirements or does it encompass other areas of compliance?

Mary: Not at all.  Clients who have taken on the program tell us that it is a very cost-effective way to meeting their compliance needs without having to increase their internal headcount.  We can look after all EMC, ACMA and any other compliance or regulatory requirements.

Laura: Well, that sounds like a great service to me.  How can people find out more information about Comtest Group and the Virtual Compliance Manager program?

Mary: Contact us via email or give us a call and one of our friendly staff will be happy to assist.

Laura: Thank you for explaining the benefits of the Virtual Compliance Manager (VCM) program.  For more information, you can head to www.comtestgroup.com.au.

Laura:  Thank you for listening to this video and I hope you have found it helpful.  Comtest also has other videos on their website, so I suggest heading across and taking a look at them also.