Regulatory horizon scanning for the food industry

Empower your team with insights on regulatory changes that will impact your business, via expert-led regulatory horizon scanning services.

Anticipating regulatory changes that will affect specific products, ingredients, categories, and geographies is crucial in the food and beverage sector. It enables challenges and opportunities to be identified and acted upon in a timely manner to protect business interests.

A robust horizon scanning process informs business planning and boosts resilience in dynamic regulatory environments. It also reduces the risk of non-compliance and the financial and reputational damage that can result from product recalls, incorrect labelling, or accidental use of non-permitted claims or wording.

Tailored horizon scanning services from Leatherhead Food Research focus on the regulatory areas that matter most to your business. Our expert team will help you navigate the complexities of regulatory horizon scanning, recommending how to comply with or influence emerging and evolving requirements.

Join our webinar

Horizon Scanning: Discover Key Shifts Ahead for Global Food Regulations

January 29, 2025 - 15:00 GMT, 10:00 EST

Are you looking to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of food regulations? If you're not yet a member of Leatherhead Food Research, join us for this webinar to get a preview of the regulatory updates our members receive. Discover some of the key trends and regulatory developments that will shape your business strategies in 2025 and beyond.

Register now by emailing us at [email protected]. Or, follow the link for further details about the webinar.

Talk to our team about how we can support your business with horizon scanning

An expert-led horizon scanning service

New scientific findings, cultural and consumer attitudes, technological needs, and governmental policies all contribute to regulatory developments. Our horizon scanning experts are tuned into these matters, and they are also fluent in the local languages of the global markets they represent. This gives them deep insight and nuanced understanding of regulatory developments set to impact the food and beverage industry.

Leatherhead’s horizon scanning service is genuinely bespoke and fully flexible to accommodate your specific and evolving needs. We have visibility of the long- and short-term horizon, offering scans for either or both. The experience and knowledge of our regulatory experts means we can differentiate between the important and the irrelevant, resulting in an optimum ‘signal to noise’ ratio.

From horizon scanning to regulatory guidance and advocacy services

As part of our horizon scanning service, we offer guidance on the most appropriate responses for your business. We cover practical measures which aid compliance, and we can also support advocacy strategies. If you’re looking to engage with policymakers directly or contribute to consultation processes, we can:

  • Spot policy trends to facilitate advocacy strategy planning
  • Establish meaningful links between multinational policy discussions
  • Monitor, compile, and assess relevant background information
  • Support and substantiate your arguments with up-to-date scientific evidence
  • Identify, evaluate and recommend advocacy partners such as trade associations

Have more questions about our horizon scanning services?

Horizon scanning monitors emerging and evolving regulations at a local and international level. Information gathered during the process facilitates better understanding and management of upcoming changes and any associated risks or opportunities. It also supports informed decision making, enabling a well-planned strategic response rather than regulatory firefighting.

Regulatory horizon scanning enables you to:

  • Manage risk by keeping ahead of emerging food and beverage regulations
  • Give stakeholders visibility of forthcoming regulatory requirements
  • Use insights to develop advocacy strategies and engage with policymakers
  • Identify opportunities for compliant by design product development aligned with commercial goals

When you sign up to Leatherhead’s regulatory horizon scanning service, our experts monitor and track signals of upcoming changes in global markets of interest. We consider the relevancy of these changes to your products and your business so you can prepare accordingly.

Depending on the project scope, topic, and target markets, horizon scanning can take between one week and two months. Timelines are dictated by your objectives and the depth and breadth of knowledge required.

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