Automate GxP & REACH compliance - with AI & SAP S/4HANA

Up to 80 % less effort for certificate verification & archiving in the chemical industry & life science – audit-capable, compliant and ESG-ready

The challenge: Complex certificate examinations in chemistry and life sciences

Chemical and life science companies are under high regulatory pressure: GxP specifications, REACH regulations, ISO standards or CLP/GHS require complete and correct documentation along the supply chain. Certificates such as safety data sheets, certificates of origin or ISO certificates must be checked, classified and archived for each raw material, packaging and batch. In many companies, this is still done manually. A time-consuming and error-prone process that harbours audit risks, can jeopardise approvals and makes ESG reporting more difficult.

Our solution: Automated GxP and REACH certificate checks in chemistry and life science with AI and S/4HANA

We automate the processing of regulatory documents in SAP S/4HANA by integrating AI-based classification, validation and archiving. Our solution automatically recognises content such as ISO certificates, SDS, certificates of origin or sustainability certificates, compares them with applicable compliance rules and stores them in a structured and audit-proof manner.

The AI is seamlessly integrated into QM-controlled procurement processes – including traceability, GxP-compliant documentation and a governance-compliant filing structure. The system also automatically records CO₂ data on materials and packaging and thus supports ESG and sustainability reports.

What is possible with AI...

Automated document classification & validation
Rule-based testing against REACH/GHS/ISO specifications
Auditable filing & traceability in SAP
Automatic CO₂ capture for ESG reporting capability

Efficiency gains through AI certificate processing How AI makes certificate processing faster and more reliable:

Focus on customer benefits

Up to -80 % manual testing effort

Automated processing replaces manual routine

Document classification, checking and filing are AI-supported directly in SAP – this saves time and minimises sources of error.

Audit readiness for GxP, REACH & ISO

Audit-proof filing, compliance-compliant

Automated rules and structured SAP filing reduce compliance risks and strengthen governance.

ESG reporting at the touch of a button

CO₂ data available for substances and packaging

Sustainability certificates and environmental data are systematically recorded – the basis for carbon footprinting & sustainability reports.

With AI-based certificate checking, we help chemical companies gain regulatory certainty, fulfil ESG requirements and save significant resources in the process.

Jannik Hoffmann, Senior Consultant Procure, cbs

Three scenarios

Savings potential at a glance

The scenario calculation shows how the automation of certificate checks pays off economically – depending on the annual volume of documents.

Scenario 1: 10,000 certificates

Certificates per year: 10,000
Total investment (3 years): 80,000 €
Direct savings per year: 24.000 €
Audit benefit per year: 900 €
Avoided downtime per year:10,000 €
ESG reporting benefit per year: 8,500 €
Total benefits (3 years): 130,000 €
Amortisation period: 22 Month

Benefits: Enables ESG readiness and compliance with minimal effort. Selective automation for critical risks

Scenario 2: 25,000 certificates

Certificates per year: 25,000
Total investment (3 years): 130,000 €
Direct savings per year: 60,000 €
Audit benefit per year: 1,500 €
Avoided downtime per year: 15,000 €
ESG reporting benefit per year: 8,500 €
Total benefits (3 years): 275,000 €
Amortisation period: 18 Month

Benefits: Strong RoI with full QA, procurement and ESG integration. Reduces compliance costs

Scenario 3: 100,000 certificates

Certificates per year: 100,000
Total investment (3 years): 215,000 €
Direct savings per year: 240,000 €
Audit benefit per year: 4,000 €
Avoided downtime per year: 40,000 €
ESG reporting benefit per year: 30,000 €
Total benefits (3 years): 972,000 €
Amortisation period: 8 Month

Benefits: High efficiency and ESG traceability at scale. Strategic fit for global compliance and digital operations

What makes the difference?

The higher the certificate volume, the greater the efficiency gain through AI-based classification, validation & archiving

Manual processing is largely eliminated – with a simultaneous increase in compliance & transparency

The project can pay for itself in the first year – thanks to savings in inspection effort and reduced risk of regulatory deviations

All values are based on realistic assumptions regarding the degree of automation, media distribution (PDF, email, SAP attachment), processing times and hourly rates from customer projects.

Would you like to automate GxP and REACH-compliant processes?

Talk to our experts for regulatory AI solutions in the chemical industry & Life Science.

Why cbs?

End-to-end expertise for SAP S/4HANA, QM & compliance processes

Whether GxP-compliant supply chains, REACH audits or automated quality checks – cbs combines regulatory expertise with a deep understanding of SAP processes in chemistry and life sciences.

Industry expertise in the chemical and life sciences industry

With cbs, you have a partner at your side who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence. We provide you with holistic support – from the initial definition of objectives through to sustainable anchoring in your systems and processes.

Pioneer in the integration of AI into regulated supply chain processes

Thanks to our end-to-end expertise along the entire value chain – from design to operate, we put your data in the right context, create process clarity and enable well-founded decisions at all levels. In doing so, we combine a deep understanding of processes with state-of-the-art technology – for real impact instead of mere concepts.

Contact

Your contact

Michael Hertel

Member of the Executive Board

Consulting Director

Practice Sustainable Supply Chain & Manufacturing