For some companies and agencies in specific industries, a visitor management system is integral to meeting regulatory compliance—like C-TPAT, OSHA and FSMA—which is the obedience to regulations, guidelines and laws relevant to the business of the company. Noncompliance can result in major penalties for your organization.
Below are three types of compliance a visitor management system can help your organization achieve:
ITAR Compliance
International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a set of export control laws aimed to prevent sensitive information from getting into the hands of foreign nationals. All manufacturers, exporters, and brokers of defense articles, defense services, and related technical data are required to be ITAR compliant or ITAR certified.
Organizations subject to ITAR compliance must register with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, follow certain import and export procedures, and screen suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors. The many responsibilities required for ITAR compliance also include keeping records of everyone who enters a facility – who therefore could be exposed to sensitive information. This is where visitor management becomes a critical compliance tool.
ITAR compliant companies must have a documented visitor management process that verifies whether visitors are, or are not, U.S. citizens. Visitors may be required to sign an ITAR Nisitor managemon-disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a technology control plan (TCP) briefing. A compliance-friendly vent system can help meet all compliance requirements.
C-TPAT Compliance
C-TPAT, or the Customs-Trade Partnerships Against Terrorism, is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that ensures the safety of all goods entering the United States. C-TPAT is like a TSA Pre-check for containers arriving in the U.S. from foreign suppliers. A voluntary program, C-PTAT holds importers responsible for implementing best practices for security across their supply chain to avoid running into any problems when products arrive at the border.
Like ITAR compliance, C-TPAT involves several processes, but its foundation is visitor management. Required best practices include taking photos of all visitors, issuing ID badges and keeping records in a visitor database – exactly what a compliance-friendly visitor management system is designed to do.
FSMA Compliance
Companies in the food industry are responsible for maintaining compliance under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), consisting of seven FDA rules that set the standard for food safety practices and procedures.
To help companies comply, the FDA compiled a database of mitigation strategies including the following visitor management requirements:
- Implementing a check in/check out procedure at security or reception areas, which includes verification of proper identification, screening equipment and relinquishment of prohibited items.
- Implementing a visitor policy which requires proper identification, use of escorts, and adherence to rules regarding restricted access.
- Implementing a policy for driver check-in and vehicle documentation review.
Here's what you need to know
If your company is subject to ITAR, C-TPAT or FSMA compliance we can guide you to Choosing the right solution to avoid penalties for noncompliance. For more information Contact Identicomm Technologies today at 800-223-4348 to talk to our ID Specialists about a visitor management system to meet your regulatory compliance needs.
