Fixing the Gaps in Global EHS Risk Management

When it comes to EHS compliance, most multinational headquarters operate on a simple assumption. If policies and processes are defined at the top, compliance will naturally follow at the local level.

The reality? Much more complicated.

Even the most well-intentioned global strategies can fall apart on-site. Cultural differences, inconsistent local practices, fragmented tools, and language barriers can all lead to blind spots, places where real risks go unnoticed and unchecked.

This was the starting point for our recent denxpert webinar, The Global EHS Compliance Challenge: From Blind Spots to Full Visibility. Held on July 3, the session brought together leading experts from the US, Germany, Switzerland, and Japan to explore how global companies can close these gaps and achieve real, scalable control.

What’s Going Wrong?

Most multinational companies have EHS policies, procedures, and reporting in place. But as several speakers pointed out, having documents isn’t the same as having visibility.

As Alizabeth Aramowicz Smith (Antea Group, USA) put it: “Compliance doesn’t end with setting expectations, it starts with verifying them.” In too many cases, HQs rely on outdated reports, manual tracking, or local consultants without a system in place to spot deviations or emerging risks.

Hiroshi Tachikawa from Propharm Japan added a regional perspective: in Asia, the compliance landscape can differ dramatically not only by country but also by region, industry, and interpretation. Without alignment tools, it’s easy to misread the level of control you truly have.

What Leading Companies Do Differently

The focus wasn’t only on the problems caused by compliance, but the solutions. Our speakers also shared concrete ways their clients and partners are regaining visibility, without micromanaging or creating administrative overload.

From Theresa Schmidt of HPC AG (Germany) and Jannis Faupel of Baden Consulting (Switzerland), we learned how central HQs are partnering with local experts to create standardized, audit-ready compliance structures that still allow for regional flexibility.

These strategies include:

• Creating centralized legal registers accessible across locations
• Using software to connect policies with real-time site data
• Mapping regulatory obligations based on geography and risk level
• Conducting internal audits aligned with local practices
• Prioritizing data integrity and version control

Local Challenges, Global Lessons

denxpert CEO Róbert Szűcs-Winkler shared firsthand examples that made the complexity of global EHS compliance feel very real. In one case, a multinational client believed their Qatar site was fully compliant until an on-site review revealed several undocumented practices and high-risk gaps in execution. In another, a factory in India had impeccable paperwork, but local interviews showed that daily routines didn’t match the documented procedures at all.

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These cases illustrate a common theme: even when the boxes are ticked, actual conditions may tell a different story. And that difference is where risk hides. As Róbert emphasised, “You need more than documents. You need systems that reflect reality and partners who understand it.”

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Why Inogen Alliance?

One of the key takeaways of this webinar was the value of combining local knowledge with a global view. That’s where Inogen Alliance stands out.

With over 70 countries covered by trusted associate companies, Inogen Alliance provides more than just regulatory updates; it delivers real-world experience tailored to each region. From cultural nuances to compliance workflows, their experts help you align global expectations with on-the-ground execution. You get scalable strategies, audit-ready documentation, and a network that works as one.

When the stakes are high, don’t leave EHS compliance to assumptions. Partner with Inogen Alliance for clarity, coordination, and confidence across borders.

Bonus Insight: Straight from Switzerland

As a special bonus, we’re also sharing an exclusive video insight from Switzerland. Jannis Faupel of Baden Consulting outlines the unique compliance challenges in Europe’s decentralised regulatory environment and how to approach them with smarter workflows, better documentation, and real collaboration between HQ and local teams.

You can access the bonus video directly within the on-demand recording.