How to choose an APVMA registration consultant for agricultural and veterinary chemical products

Hiring external consultants to undertake projects is common in business. More and more frequently, as in-house specialist resources become scarcer, regulations become more difficult and a high level of expertise is required, organizations are turning to consultants to get the job done.

The regulatory requirements allowing the sale of agricultural and veterinary chemical products in Australia have become increasingly complex. An APVMA registration consultant can help your company gain, maintain and expand registrations. Many businesses have found it is more cost effective to outsource regulatory affairs rather than tie up internal resources.

There are a number of things to look for when choosing a regulatory consultant.

Qualifications

Hands on experience together with technical competence are obvious starting points. Because of the detailed nature of many regulatory submissions, look for a regulatory consultant with qualifications in areas such as biology, science or chemistry.

Hands on Experience

Importantly your consultant will have demonstrated an ability to understand and interpret Government regulations covering registration requirements. One way to identify this is to choose a consultant that has worked directly for the APVMA for a number of years. Another way is to investigate their areas of expertise and experience.

Team

When choosing a regulatory consultant it is best to look for a person who works as part of a team. A team is usually better equipped to meet desired timelines, have input from a number of different expertises and provide backup resources. This generally will provide improved quality outcomes for you.

Advice

Finally it is very important to seek regulatory advice from an expert early in the product development phase. Obtaining advice on what data is required and reviewing the suitability of existing data is essential before embarking on the potentially time consuming and expensive generation of additional information. Choosing a consultant that has experience in product development and all levels of regulatory requirements will provide you with a valuable resource during the process of getting your product into the market.