FAQs: Regulatory Compliance & Advisory Services

1. What does regulatory compliance mean for my business?

Regulatory compliance refers to ensuring that your business operations meet all legal, safety, and quality standards required by Ghanaian authorities and international best practices. It covers labour laws, workplace safety, environmental requirements, and ISO certifications.

2. What laws do Ghanaian businesses need to comply with?

The most relevant laws include:

• Labor Act, 2003 (Act 651): Governs employment, working conditions, rights and duties of employers and workers
• Factories, Offices and Shops Act, 1970 (Act 328): Covers health, safety, and welfare in workplaces
• Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843): Protects personal data of employees and clients
• National Fire Safety Regulations and Environmental Acts

3. How does OSS help with regulatory compliance?

• Conducting compliance audits and gap analyses
• Drafting and reviewing HR and HSE policies
• Assisting with documentation for legal and statutory inspections
• Training employees on compliance protocols
• Guiding businesses toward ISO 45001, 9001, or 14001 readiness
• Preparing reports and registers in line with Ghanaian laws

4. What are the risks of non-compliance?

Failing to comply with laws and safety regulations may result in:

• Fines or penalties from government agencies
• Temporary or permanent closure of business
• Legal liability and lawsuits
• Damage to your company's reputation
• Increased accident and injury risk

5. Does compliance apply to small businesses and informal sectors?

Yes. Every registered business in Ghana, regardless of size or sector, must adhere to the minimum standards of employee safety, fair treatment, and workplace operations. OSS provides scalable solutions even for market operators, SMEs, and startups.

6. What international standards do OSS services align with?

Our advisory model follows:

• ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety)
• ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems)
• ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
• HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) global frameworks used by multinational companies

7. Can OSS help prepare for inspections or certifications?

Absolutely. We help you prepare for:

• Labor inspections (by Labour Department)
• Environmental and fire safety audits
• SSNIT and tax-related reviews
• Pre-qualification for ISO certification audits

8. What kind of compliance documentation do you help develop?

We support development of:

• Employment contracts and HR manuals
• HSE policies and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)
• Safety and risk assessment templates
• Registers for injuries, fire safety, and chemical use
• Company code of conduct and grievance procedures

9. How often should businesses conduct compliance reviews?

We recommend:

• Annually for general policy and legal updates
• Bi-annually for high-risk sectors like construction and logistics
• After any major incident, regulatory change, or business expansion

10. How can I engage OSS for Regulatory Compliance support?