Organizations that adopt continuous improvement processes can realize immeasurable benefits, including increased productivity, improved quality, and lower costs, which can lead to more engaged employees and lower employee turnover as well as more competitive products and services. This webinar provides a basic understanding of how continuous improvement intersects with the product stewardship function. Using the Plan-Do-Check-Act process model, information on performing an assessment, assessing findings, determining the root cause of those findings, generating corrective actions, and finally, establishing key performance indicators to measure success will be discussed.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the concept of continuous improvement and importance to product stewardship
- Analyze the process for continuous improvement to product stewardship
- Know how to implement continuous improvement:
- Understanding the process management cycle
- Conducting a self-assessment/audit
- Addressing gaps in compliance/process management
- Identifying and prioritizing actions
- Measuring success
Presenters
Maryann Sanders, Product Stewardship Technical Director, ERM
Maryann has over 20 years of experience working with industry, trade associations, and regulatory agencies. She has technical training in toxicology, microbiology as well as occupational and environmental health that has served her in various capacities across the chemical and automotive industries, a standard writing organization, and as a consultant. Maryann’s experience with U.S. and international regulations and guidelines governing the use of chemicals and products in the global marketplace allows her to support her clients as they work to meet their regulatory obligations and business goals. Her clients entrust her to develop and implement comprehensive Product Stewardship programs and business strategies systems that specifically as well as holistically supporting a sustainable business model. She is a co-author of Professional Practices in Product Stewardship (AIHA/ Product Stewardship Society, 2018) and an adjunct professor in the Master of Science in Product Stewardship program at Indiana University, where she teaches the Regulatory Affairs in Product Stewardship.
Gavin Thompson, Ph.D., Principal Consultant, Product Safety & Stewardship, Ramboll
Gavin has more than 30 years of experience advising manufacturers, marketers, and industry associations on the assessment and management of chemical exposures to humans. His clients include companies in basic and specialty chemicals, pulp and paper, consumer and household products, and food, drug & cosmetic products. He conducts comprehensive exposure and safety assessments, provides strategic and technical advice, and provides chemical regulatory compliance services including pre-manufacturing or pre-market registrations or notifications, and post-market product support. His chemical product evaluations include drug excipients, food ingredients, food-contact substances, and antimicrobial substances, in addition to industrial chemicals in consumer products. In support of the safety of products, Gavin designs and audits product stewardship programs. He is a co-author of Professional Practices in Product Stewardship (AIHA/Product Stewardship Society, 2018).