Chicago-based ICU Medical recently recalled two batches of potassium chloride intravenous bags. These lots were supposed to have overwrap labels reading 20 mEq but were marked 10 mEq, raising the risk of overdose.  

Non-compliance incidents like these are just one of the thousands that happen yearly within the pharma and CPG industries, making compliance management a critical priority.  

Read how artificial intelligence is arming companies with the capabilities to adhere to emerging regulations and maintain compliance.  

Artwork Compliance Management – An Evolving Landscape

Artwork compliance management is a complex endeavor, yet highly critical. Non-compliance with necessary laws can lead to far-reaching consequences for brands. But what makes compliance management so challenging? Here are some factors:  

• Strict regulations: The compliance landscape is constantly evolving, with regulatory bodies like the FDA and WHO introducing new laws in response to changing market and business conditions. Staying abreast of these regulatory changes is essential for successful business operations.

• Varied regional laws: Compliance with local laws becomes very important for brands operating in different regions. However, keeping up with varying requirements in various geographies is difficult without a centralized artwork compliance management platform.  

• High risk of recalls: From the content on nutritional panels to the size and color of logos, dosage, ingredients, warnings, and allergens, packaging artwork must always have accurate information to avoid time-consuming rework and costly recalls.  

• Vague rules: Many regulatory requirements are vague, with instructions such as “preferred” or “highlighted.” Brands with many compliance needs often get confused about these unclear or ambiguous rules.  

• Language-specific directives: Many pharma and CPG companies must also adhere to language-specific directives. In regions such as the European Union, companies must provide translations for ingredients, dosage instructions, and safety warnings in each required language.  

How AI Drives Effective Packaging Artwork Compliance Management ‍

As companies navigate an intricate compliance landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) opens doors to several features and capabilities. Advanced machine learning and natural language processing capabilities make it easy for stakeholders to compare designs against regulatory standards, brand guidelines, and legal rules.  

AI tools also offer sophisticated image recognition features, verifying text placement, font size, ingredient lists, and mandatory disclaimers. By instantly and automatically identifying discrepancies, AI helps reduce error rates, speed up approval cycles, and ensure products meet the necessary legal and marketing standards.  

That said, here are some ways AI drives effective packaging artwork compliance management:  

• Automated artwork proofing: One of the most significant benefits of using AI for artwork compliance management is automated proofing. With rules and regulations constantly changing, AI ensures brands comply with requirements – with zero manual effort. By reducing human validation, brands can adapt to new requirements quickly – whether in text, styling, or logos. AI also makes it easy for companies to conduct complex industry, country, and language-specific checks and ensure adherence.  

• Localized features: AI-enabled features in an artwork management tool can be customized to suit local regulations. In addition to proofreading artwork content, these tools can check compliance with regional laws. For example, if an Indian cereal manufacturer wants to start selling products in the USA, AI will compare the artwork with the requirements and suggest a list of changes that would have to be made to ensure compliance with US regulations.  

• Real-time updates: Unlike traditional approaches where artwork changes had to be made manually, AI allows for real-time updates. It can respond to regulatory changes and provide a list of updates brands must make to maintain compliance. For example, brands can use AI tools to compare text, logo placement, and content accuracy with the latest FDA updates, flag non-compliant elements, or suggest revisions.  

• Automated version control: AI-enabled artwork compliance management simplifies version control through automation. Every time an edit is made to an artwork copy, the AI system stores all the information about the change, including who made the change and when. By automating version control, stakeholders ensure they use the accurate version of the file for the next set of edits or approvals. For instance, if pharma packaging undergoes a revision to meet a new regulation, the AI system can automatically track and record the changes, along with the exact time and date stamp.  

• Quick error detection: With an AI-enabled artwork management platform, brands can streamline error detection and resolution. Since the platform constantly verifies artwork content against relevant regulations, brands can more easily address issues and errors and maintain their compliance posture. For example, an AI-driven platform can help a company selling baby food to automatically detect missing warnings or incorrect ingredients, ensuring the label meets legal requirements before going to print.

Wrapping Up   

Investing in an artwork management platform with built-in AI features can help ensure compliance with the latest laws and regulations. For companies in the CPG and pharma industry, an AI-enabled artwork compliance management platform like ManageArtworks can compare artwork copies with regulatory requirements, automate version control, manage changes, and validate and approve content, ensuring the final artwork is error-free.  

Are you ready to up your compliance game?  

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