Enterprise Resource Planning Blogs by SAP
Get insights and updates about cloud ERP and RISE with SAP, SAP S/4HANA and SAP S/4HANA Cloud, and more enterprise management capabilities with SAP blog posts.
cancel
Turn on suggestions
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Product Compliance in SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition 2402

Chr_Vogler
Product and Topic Expert
Product and Topic Expert
‎02-07-2024 1:34 PM

Continuous delivery of embedded regulatory content in product compliance, such as for listed substances or regulatory phrases ensures that the product compliance information is always up to date, reflecting the latest regulatory changes and requirements. By continuously delivering embedded regulatory content, the organization can potentially reduce the costs associated with retroactive compliance updates and corrective actions.

With SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition 2402 release, we continue to bring our content delivery to the next level, and now we have the Continuous provisioning of regulatory graphics via the regulatory content service.

In this blog post, I will walk you through the selected key highlights for Product Compliance:

To name just a few highlights:

  • Regulatory Content Updates for Product Marketability, Dangerous Goods Management, and Safety Data Sheets,
  • Continuous Provisioning of Regulatory Graphics through the Regulatory Content Service,
  • Enabling Assignment and Printing of Labels for R&D Products,
  • Compliance Assessment of Articles using Documents as the Basis for Evaluation,
  • Receipt of Requests from the Logistics app with Direct Navigation to Dangerous Goods apps,
  • … and more.

In case you do not need all the information below and just briefly want to get an overview of the release highlights, please watch this video with the top three key innovations:

VIDEO.png

 Release video: SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition 2402 for Product Compliance: Top 3 key innovations.

Regulatory Content Updates

Business Background

Content for product compliance ensures that products adhere to the legal and regulatory requirements of the markets they are intended for, covering aspects such as safety, environmental impact, and labeling standards.

To support your business processes, SAP delivers content for the following objects used in Product Compliance:

  • Compliance Requirements
  • Graphics
  • Regulatory Phrases with Translations
  • Listed Substances
  • Listed Substance Groups
  • Listed Substance Conditions

Key Feature

With this new 2402 release, SAP delivers new and updated compliance requirements for Product Marketability, Safety Data Sheet Management, and Dangerous Goods Management, which you can use in your product compliance processes.

PICTURE_01.png

 Picture 1: Stay compliant with your product portfolio using the most recent regulatory updates.

 Regulatory Content for Product Marketability

With this release, 6 new compliance requirements are delivered:

  • World UN Minamata Convention (Sep 2022)
  • CN RoHS (May 2019)
  • World PFAS Screening List Status (Aug 2022)
  • Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) regulation for the European Union: EU RoHS (Jul 2023)
  • Material declaration: World IEC 62474 DSL (Jul 2023)
  • CH Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance Status (Sep 2023)

In total, there are 150 compliance requirements in the area of product marketability, plus 124 compliance requirements including:

  • 66 Simple Compliance Documentation,
  • 46 Substance List Checks with Substance Volume Tracking enabled.
  • 8 Compliance Disclosure / Due Diligence Acts.

Regulatory Content for Dangerous Goods

With this release, the following new compliance requirement versions are delivered:

  • ADG 2023
  • ANTT 2023
  • CFR 49 as of May 30th, 2023
  • IATA-DGR 2024
  • SANS 2022

In total, there are 15 compliance requirements available

Regulatory Content for Safety Data Sheets

In total there are 102 compliance requirements for safety data sheet management, here are the updated versions:

  • AU Safety Data Sheet (Jun 2023)
  • SG Safety Data Sheet (Feb 2023)
  • VN Safety Data Sheet (Oct 2022)

In total there are 109 compliance requirements for safety data sheet authoring, here are the new compliance requirement versions:

  • SG Components with OELs (Feb 2023)
  • SG Hazardous Ingredients (Feb 2023)
  • VN Components with OELs (Oct 2022)
  • VN Hazardous Ingredients (Oct 2022)
  • AU Components with OELs (Jun 2023)
  • AU Hazardous ingredients (Jun 2023)
  • EU GHS Classification (Mar 2023)
  • EU GHS Labeling (Mar 2023)
  • EU GHS Consumer Labeling (Mar 2023)

In total there are 91 compliance requirements for occupational exposure limits, here are the new compliance requirement versions:

  • Canada Occupational Exposure Limits - British Columbia (Aug 2023)
  • Cyprus Occupational Exposure Limit Values (Factories Regulations) (Jul 2023)
  • Japan Occupational Exposure Limits & Carcinogens (JSOH) (Sep 2023)
  • Poland Occupational Exposure Limits \u000B(Aug 2023)

Here are the updated versions:

  • Costa Rica Occupational Exposure Limits (Aug 2016)
  • Argentina Occupational Exposure Limits (Jul 2023)
  • Brazil Occupational Exposure Limits (Apr 2022)
  • Canada Occupational Exposure Limits - Alberta (Dec 2022)
  • Korea Occupational Exposure Limits (Jan 2020)
  • Japan Occupational Exposure Limits (ISHL) (Feb 2020)
  • USA Workplace Environmental Exposure Levels (WEEL) (Apr 2023)
  • USA ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (Jan 2023)

DEMO_01.png

 Demo 1: Ensure your product portfolio remains compliant by staying updated with the latest regulatory changes.

For more information, see SAP Content for Product Compliance.

Restrictions on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

PFAS substances are considered hazardous due to their ability to pose a risk to human health and the environment. PFAS are chemically stable, which means they do not easily break down in the environment or during waste treatment processes. This stability contributes to their persistence and potential for long-term exposure.

With the planned PFAS restriction proposal for the EU, large parts of Discrete- and Process- industries are challenged with new substance restrictions. For more information, see the ECHA PFAS restriction proposal.

DEMO_02.png

 Demo 2: Explore the system to discover the comprehensive restrictions on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

For more detailed and up-to-date information on the restrictions on PFAS in the EU, it is recommended to refer to official sources such as the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Commission (EC).

 

Continuous Provisioning of Regulatory Graphics

Business Background

All embedded regulatory content is delivered by SAP as part of the content, the update is done automatically with the new release.

However, it can, for example, be that the regulation has changed, and to sell your product to your customer, you must apply this new regulation today. So, for this, you cannot wait for the next cycle of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition release, and for this, we introduce continuous content delivery.

This process is decoupled from the  SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition release cycle, and with this new release, we will have the Continuous provisioning of regulatory graphics via the Regulatory Content Service.

Remark: We have the Continuous delivery of embedded regulatory content, since several releases for phrases, and with the last SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition 2308 release, for listed substances.

Key Features

To continue helping companies comply with changing regulations, the regulatory content service now delivers regulatory graphics in addition to regulatory phrases, listed substances, and compliance requirements. These graphics will be consumable within SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, for example:

  • In regulations for hazardous substances, such as the Globally Harmonized System, or dangerous goods regulations, graphics are used to deliver specific information.
  • The Globally Harmonized System uses pictograms to alert users of the exposure risks when handling a hazardous substance.
  • In dangerous goods regulations, graphics are used on labels and markings to, for example, provide the main information regarding the characteristics and risks associated with those dangerous goods and how to handle a package.

DEMO_PICTURE.png

 Demo 3: Simplify the process for customers to receive fast and frequent updates of regulatory graphics independent of the solution release.

 For more information, see Regulatory Content Service.

 

Display Regulatory Information in the Manage Substance Compliance app

Business Background

With the “Manage Substance Compliance” app, you can process and create requests for new substances with data from R&D in a way that is consistent with the corresponding listed substance in terms of identifiers, the substance condition, and the substance group configuration. You can create new company substances that are added to your company's inventory. For your substance, you can enter names in different languages, and add groups. In addition, you can view the existing polymer compositions and properties and create new ones. If applicable, you can categorize your substance as a polymer according to the OECD definition.

The company substance can be used in the analytical compositions that make up products and raw materials and in the polymer composition.

In the past, accessing regulatory information often required leaving the application, posing challenges for R&D specialists. With the latest release, regulatory information is seamlessly integrated, providing easy navigation for R&D specialists to access the related compliance information without leaving the application.

Key Feature

With this new release, regulatory information is added to the “Manage Substance Compliance” app. This new section will have information on compliance requirement versions and listed substance group assignments belonging to the active compliance requirement version. Additionally, you can filter for listed substances within the Conditions section with both the listed substance name and ID. 

The “Manage Substances Compliance” app enables you, as a master data specialist for product compliance, an environmental manager for environment management, or an industrial hygienist for incident management, to easily process requests to create new company substances with compliance data. With this app, you can create new substances with all of their identifiers in a consistent way that connects each company substance to the corresponding listed substance, the substance condition, and the group configuration.

 DEMO_04.png

 Demo 4: New “Regulatory Information” section in the “Manage Substances Compliance” app.

For more information, see Manage Substances Compliance.

 

Enabling Assignment and Printing of Labels for R&D Products

Business Background

R&D products play a crucial role in driving innovation by exploring new materials, compounds, and technologies. However, these products may contain chemicals or hazardous substances, requiring careful risk management and safety measures to protect researchers, the environment, and end users. Proper handling, labeling, and management of these substances are essential for responsible R&D practices.

By providing clear and concise information about the contents, potential hazards, and safe handling procedures, labels enable researchers and personnel to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions.

Key Feature

With this release, you can assign label configurations to R&D sample products in the “Manage Label Assignments” app. The key features are:

  • Assignment of labels to unpackaged products that are flagged as research and development (R&D) samples in product compliance and are not yet linked with a product,
  • Ability to specify details for the label assignments, such as static and dynamic assignments as well as languages for markets and production countries,
  • New, dedicated functionality in the Validate and Print Labels app for determining and printing labels for R&D products.

DEMO_05.png

 Demo 5: Improve transparency and product tracking through the ability to print labels for unpackaged R&D samples that are not yet linked with products.

For more information, see Manage Label Assignments.

Remark:

  • Label data management, label determination, and process integration will be done in S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition
  • Label design and printing will be done via partner solutions like Eurosoft Plus or Loftware / NiceLabel
  • For this SAP provides an Open interface, and the customer can choose the partner solution.
  •  

Marketability Assessment of Compliance Disclosures

Business Background

To protect human rights and the environment in the supply chain, suppliers often need to comply with various due diligence acts. To meet these regulations, companies must demonstrate that they fulfill their obligations by collecting and consolidating necessary information. To assess the level of due diligence, it is crucial to compare it with a target state. As a master data specialist for product compliance, you can utilize the “Analyze Compliance Disclosures - For Suppliers” app to analyze the compliance disclosures provided by your suppliers. This app allows you to evaluate the completeness and compliance of the current state of the disclosures compared to the required state.

Key Feature

With this new release, we deliver a new “Analyze Compliance Disclosures - For Suppliers” app and you can now analyze compliance data for suppliers based on corporate-wide compliance disclosures. This app supports you in checking the difference between the target status, based on requirements, and the actual status, based on the compliance disclosures you've received from your suppliers. This comparison provides transparency on the actual current status in terms of completeness and compliance.

You can now analyze compliance data from various views such as:

  • Compliance disclosures from suppliers,
  • Display the difference between target and actual status,
  • Display a list of all compliance declarations of suppliers.

PICTURE_02.png

 Picture 2: Have transparency based on completeness and compliance of actual status.

For more information, see Analyze Compliance Disclosures - For Suppliers.

 

Categorization of Articles in Product Compliance

Business Background

The product characterization in the EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation is based on the product rather than the substance for several reasons:

Complexity of Products: Products often consist of multiple substances, mixtures, and components. Characterizing products allows for a comprehensive assessment of all relevant substances and their potential impacts, considering the complex nature of modern products.

Realistic Exposure Scenarios: By focusing on product characterization, REACH aims to capture realistic exposure scenarios where individuals and the environment come into contact with the actual products, rather than isolated substances. This approach provides a more accurate understanding of the potential risks associated with the use and disposal of products.

Downstream User Considerations: Product-based characterization aligns with the needs of downstream users, such as manufacturers, importers, and users of products, who require information on the safe handling, use, and disposal of the entire product rather than individual substances.

Supply Chain Complexity: Considering the wide variety of products and the complexity of global supply chains, a product-based approach facilitates the practical implementation of REACH requirements by providing a more manageable framework for compliance and communication of information throughout the supply chain.

Key Features

When you create a product, you can specify the product category. Until now, you had the choice between Mixture and Substance. Now, you also have the option of Article. The specified product categorization is maintained and displayed in the “Manage Basic Compliance Data - Unpackaged Products” or “Manage Basic Compliance Data - Raw Materials” app.

Previously, the categorization was done in the “Manage Analytical Composition” app.

DEMO_06.png

 Demo 6: Obtain SDS management and shipment support for articles.

Effects on Existing Data

The Product Categorization menu has been enhanced with the Article option. You can make this selection either during the creation of an unpackaged product in the “Manage Basic Compliance Data - Unpackaged Products” (F2641) app or raw material in the “Manage Basic Compliance Data - Raw Materials” (F3024) app or when you edit an existing unpackaged product in the “Unpackaged Product - Basic Compliance Data” app (F2647) or raw material in the “Raw Material - Basic Compliance Data (F3025)” app.

 

Receipt of Requests from the Logistics app

Business Background

If a product is sold, produced, or transported in a specific country/region, it has to be compliant with the regulations in this country/region. In Product Compliance, you can classify the product according to dangerous goods regulations applicable in a specific country/region. If a product that is marked as compliance-relevant in the product master is added to a business document within the value chain, a dangerous goods check is carried out to check if the transport of this product is allowed. If the check detects any issues, a compliance request is created, triggered by the business process in which the issues occurred. The compliance request is sent to Product Compliance and can be processed by opening the “Process Requests from Logistics” app using the Process Requests from Logistics - For Dangerous Goods tile.

Key Features

With this new release, the “Process Requests from Logistics” (F3342) app has been changed to support you in processing dangerous goods issues within this app using the flexible column layout. Depending on the type of issue addressed in the compliance request, a new column opens with details about the issue. From this new column, you can view the required steps that you have to carry out to solve the issue. For example, if applicable dangerous goods regulations for a country/region are missing, you can navigate to the “Apply Regulations - Dangerous Goods” app to specify these regulations. If not, all required dangerous goods classifications are released for a product, you can navigate to the “Classify Unpackaged Dangerous Goods” or “Classify Packaged Dangerous Goods” apps to finalize and release the missing classifications.

DEMO_07.png

 Demo 7: Navigate directly from the “Process Requests from Logistics – Dangerous Goods” app to the dangerous goods’ specific apps.

For more information, see Process Requests from Logistics.

 

Output Scenarios for Additional Transport Documents

Business Background

If you transport products that are classified as dangerous goods, data on the transported dangerous goods has to be printed on documents within the value chain, such as sales orders, delivery notes, and the ADR Dangerous Goods Notes.

The dangerous goods data that must be printed is determined by the applicable dangerous goods regulation and the type of the document. For each supported document, an output scenario is delivered that specifies which dangerous goods data is printed in which sequence on the document.

The output scenarios are not only used to specify the printed dangerous goods data but also to preview how the description of the dangerous goods is displayed and printed. Specifically, when you classify a packaged product according to the applicable dangerous goods regulations using the “Classify Packaged Dangerous Good” app, you can select an output scenario to view how the description of the dangerous goods is displayed in this app. You can also preview how the description will be printed on a specific document.

Key Feature

With this feature, you can append data for additional exemptions and special provisions to the data that is delivered with the compliance requirements that represent the dangerous goods regulation using the “Configure Compliance Requirements - Dangerous Goods” app.

The key features are:

  • Use of exemptions / special provisions, configured to replace the dangerous goods description with a phrase that the product is shipped under an exemption / special provision,
  • Empower users to replace SAP-delivered texts for existing exemptions / special provisions with customer-specific phrases.

Picture3.png

Picture 3: Save money by making use of exemptions / special provisions described in the dangerous goods regulations for packaging and transportation.

For more information about further features that support the handling of exemptions and special provisions in Dangerous Goods Management, see:

Watch the Replays of Our SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition 2402 Early Release Series!

Watch Our Live Sessions

In January 2024, we hosted a series of 19 compelling live sessions to highlight the exciting innovations shipped with the SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition 2402 release. Missed the live sessions? No problem! Take advantage of the entire series or pick and choose the sessions most relevant to you on demand.

Thanks for reading this blog post. Stay tuned!

Where to Find More Information: 

Don’t hesitate to leave a comment and check out our new community page to ask your questions and engage with the experts. Follow the PSCC_Enablement tag to stay up to date with our latest blog posts.

Follow us on @SAP and #S4HANA, and myself via @VoglerChrist and LinkedIn

Popular Blog Posts