The current environmentally conscious market has driven greater regulatory pressure and demand for transparency. For years, product stewardship was the sole obligation of environmental health and safety (EHS) teams, but a shift is underway.
Leading organizations now view stewardship as a strategic asset rather than just a liability. By seeking advice from dedicated product stewardship consulting firms, brands can improve customer trust, mitigate risks and create a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Core Service Offerings in Product Stewardship
A product stewardship consultant provides guidance across a product’s life cycle. The core services concentrate on navigating complex regulatory compliance, risk assessment and product defense. The nature of this work ensures that products remain safe, compliant and marketable from the initial design phase to disposal.
The most common services include:
- Global regulatory strategy for securing and maintaining market approval
- Product safety and risk assessment
- Life cycle management, including product sustainability and future business risks
- Litigation support and expert scientific testimony regarding the product
The Best Product Stewardship Consulting Firms
When it comes to product safety and compliance, businesses do not want to risk anything. The following product stewardship consulting firms provide strategic planning and recommendations to help companies meet their product objectives.
1. TRC
TRC offers wide-ranging product stewardship services centered on regulatory compliance and sustainable practices. Among its core services, expert consultants assist clients in managing state, federal and international regulations, especially regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other chemicals of concern.
Its team develops strategies for manufacturers, retailers and importers to evaluate and manage risks within their products, packaging and supply chain. The firm’s risk-based framework, deep regulatory knowledge, and strong engineering and EHS background set it apart from others.
Key Features
- Establishes strategies to reduce or eliminate PFAS in products and supply chains
- Helps retailers and manufacturers meet stringent product regulations and transparency
- Leverages expertise in chemistry, product safety and EHS to generate robust stewardship programs
2. Environmental Resources Management
Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is a well-known consulting firm with a broad suite of product stewardship services. Professionals help clients market safe, sustainable and compliant products that meet global regulations. Likewise, its focus on future-proofing strategies and digital transformation is a driver of business growth.
As part of its offerings, ERM prepares and submits global regulatory filings, manages safety data sheets, conducts risk assessments and performs life cycle assessments. It also helps clients redesign products to be more sustainable.
Key Features
- Features an experienced global team that navigates complex regulations for chemicals, biocides and medical devices
- Utilizes cutting-edge digital tools and platforms to streamline product safety data, compliance tracking and risk management
- Prioritizes sustainability during early product life cycle planning using specialized tools and life cycle assessments
3. Exponent
Exponent delivers a multidisciplinary team of product stewardship specialists with a deep understanding of product science and global compliance standards. These include the European Union REACH chemical registration program and the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.
The firm has expertise in over 90 disciplines, allowing it to tackle the highest-stakes problems with tailored, science-first solutions. Its specialists do not just advise on compliance — they deploy teams of scientists and engineers to address the most technical challenges within product safety.
Key Features
- Maintains multidisciplinary expertise spanning over 90 disciplines
- Addresses challenges throughout every product stage
- Navigates the most complex global regulations and delivers science-backed assessments, solutions and litigation support
4. Ramboll
Ramboll provides scientific and technical product stewardship consulting services to help companies navigate complex global markets. Specialists secure and maintain chemical registrations from the primary international regulatory agencies in the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Korea and other countries.
Its team performs human health and ecological risk assessments for biocides, pesticides and food contact materials, offering guidance for achieving sustainability and a circular economy. Ramboll’s in-house team of scientists and toxicologists positions it as a top scientific partner in managing large chemical portfolios.
Key Features
- Delivers expertise in international chemical regulations for multijurisdictional compliance
- Features in-house scientists who perform data-driven human health and ecological risk assessments
- Registers complex and highly-regulated products, including biocides, pesticides and food contact materials
Evaluation Framework for the Top Product Stewardship Consultants
Firms in this list were evaluated based on a comprehensive analysis of their expertise, including global regulatory submissions, environmental safety science and product litigation support. Additionally, it was also important to ensure there was an in-house multidisciplinary team of toxicology and regulatory law experts. Lastly, a review of available case studies demonstrated each firm’s strategic capabilities and its ability to manage risk from design to disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people have about product stewardship consultants.
What does a product stewardship consultant do?
A product stewardship consultant oversees a product’s entire life cycle, from design to disposal, to ensure it remains safe and compliant with stringent regulations. These professionals are strategic partners adept at navigating regulatory bodies, streamlining approvals and securing market access.
They deliver an in-depth assessment of in-use products’ occupational, consumer and environmental risks, and help identify business vulnerabilities. In many cases, consultants can offer litigation support and back up a product’s integrity with scientific evidence and expert testimony.
How do companies choose a product stewardship consulting firm?
Businesses must look beyond single-service providers and choose a product stewardship consultant that is a strong partner throughout the entire product life cycle. Top-rated professionals are experts in toxicology, environmental science and regulatory law, capable of supporting a brand from the research and development stage to possible litigation.
Consultants should have a positive track record of working with global agencies and offer case studies of successful product defense. Ideally, partners should be proactive and strategic to ensure companies meet compliance requirements and anticipate future risks.
What deliverables should businesses expect from a product stewardship program consultant?
Deliverables span the entire product life cycle, from strategic blueprints to scientific defense. Throughout research and development, a product stewardship consultant customizes study protocols and compiles safety assessments for submission to global regulatory agencies.
On the product market side, they conduct business risk assessments, environmental risk reports and ingredient defense strategies. If someone were to file a lawsuit against the company or its product, they would be expert witnesses, furnishing scientific arguments and providing critical support for brand protection.
From Obligation to Opportunity
Product stewardship consulting firms make navigating the evolving landscape of product responsibility less daunting. Partnering with highly qualified specialists helps organizations unlock business growth and overcome challenges through a sound strategy.