Vikas Talwar

• Leading the India Regulatory Affairs function with a team of 08 Regulatory Professionals across three business segments- Self-care (Food & OTC), Skin Health & Beauty & Essential Health comprising a diverse portfolio of Global & Regional Brands like ORSL, ERZL, Benadryl, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Johnsons, Neutrogena, Listerine, Clean & Clear, Stayfree, Carefree, Regaine etc.
• Regulatory Strategy planning & execution with excellence in close cross functional collaboration with functions like R&D/PD, Medical Safety & Sciences, Commercial etc. to support the business growth.
• Science based policy shaping through leading Industry Associations (FICCI, CII, FIHA, AMCHAM, CII, IBHA, etc.) to establish the company as a partner of choice for science based regulatory & public policy shaping in India.
• Developing regulatory strategy to accelerate product & claim approvals, to ensure continued business growth.
• Closely working with R&D and other cross-functional and brand development teams to fast-track new product developments (NPDs) and claim innovation for growth.
• Build and maintain relationships with key regulatory & policy stakeholders, FSSAI, CDSCO, NPPA, BIS, State FDAs, and the line Ministries for strategic partnerships & collaborations including capacity building workshops etc.
• People Leadership for supporting & coaching the team for continued growth, career progression and rewards with One Team mindset.

Business Impacts & Key Achievements

• Despite the unprecedented regulatory action by FSSAI against the company's leading electrolyte drink brand ORSL, securing necessary regulatory approvals through continued engagement with the FSSAI & Regional Offices, State FDAs to bring the business back on track within 3 months through a two brand strategy for hydration category- ORSL (WHO ORS) and ERZL (Hydration Drink with Electrolytes).
• Led the innovative regulatory strategy that supported the market entry & growth of the global skin health brands Neutrogena, Aveeno in India, which brought unprecedented business growth & impact.
• Diversification & repositioning of the feminine care business in India which helped the brand gain back the share in the market.
• Supported business in innovation beyond traditional Stayfree thick sanitary napkins toward more premium and advanced products like thin napkins, foldable napkins etc. to gain competitive advantage.
• Supported the growth of innovative products like Carefree panty liners, tampons etc. in the Indian market among the premium consumers through e-Commerce and Modern Trade.
• Regulatory approvals for the reformulation & product innovation of Listerine mouthwash through the introduction of more advanced non-alcoholic variants Cavity Fighter, Sensitive etc. for the first time in India.
• Creative interpretation of Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) which helped the company to legally take a price hike for a Scheduled Drug i.e. ORSL WHO Oral Rehydration Salts against the competition.
• Scientifically defended key claims like '72 Hour Hydration' etc. before the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) for Aveeno, Johnsons which not only protected the business continuity but also established the scientific credibility of the company.
• Actively participated with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) & CDSCO through Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association (IBHA), FICCI, to proactively shape the India specific cosmetic standards for products like Sunscreen, Body Wash, Mouth wash, Face Wash etc. etc. in India to mitigate any business impacts.
• Successfully & timely secured CDSCO approvals for the Legal Entity Name Chnage without any additional inventory building & business disruptions for imports from markerts like France, Korea, Greece & Thailand.
• Supported the external manufacturers by securing regulatory approvals from the State FDA and guiding the teams in regulatory compliance, including the latest Schedule-M under the Drug Rules.
• Partnered with the State FDAs like Himachal Pradesh & CII to organize the capacity building workshops for the Drug Inspectors and Officers on Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
• Engaged with the Ministry of Textiles to secure the clarification that the products like 'Pantyliners', 'Period Panty' etc. do not require the mandatory BIS Certification under the existing Quality Control Order (QCO) for medical textiles.
• Actively worked with Feminine And Infant Hygiene Association (FIHA) and other industry associations to pursue clarification from the Hon`ble Supreme Court of India regarding the status of 'biodegradability' of sanitary napkins in India and the Supreme Court was pleased to expunge the requirement of 'oxo-biodegradability' which is not recognized under the BIS regulatory framework.
• Participated in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) discussions with NITI Aayog for Jan Vishwas Reforms which led to the introduction of concepts like 'Improvement Notice' under the provisions of Legal Metrology Act for minor labelling violations.
• Actively working on Regulatory Capacity building among the Health Authorities and Regulators in India as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and through FICCI, CII etc. towards modernization of Indian Regulatory Framework especially for Cosmetics, OTC drugs in India, based on trust, proactive compliance and Good Governance.

• Regulatory Compliance and enforcement of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Sanctions for Prosecution & Adjudication Cases on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by FSSAI.
• Interpretation of Food Safety Standards, issuance of clarifications to industry, harmonization of provisions across Regulations
• Import related issues & clearance procedures, FSSAI, DGFT compliances etc.
• Food Borne Emergency Responses including Food Recalls and coordination with National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under International Health Regulations of World Health Organization (WHO)
• INFOSAN Emergency Contact Point for India for WHO/FAO
• Coordination with the State Governments for Financial and Technical Assistance through Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with the State Departments of Food Safety/Food & Drug Administrations
• Temporary Advisor to World Health Organization for Risk Mitigation in Traditional Food Markets in Asia Pacific Region
• Worked closely with the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) in enforcement cases related to the manufacturing of Drugs and Nutraceuticals in the country, Ease of Doing Business etc.
• Providing clarifications and assisting the Ministry of Ayush in matters related to traditional medicines, Ayush Aahars, etc.
• Member, Working Group on Rice Fortification in India-Demand & Supply Chain Challenges by the Department of Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India
• Member, Task Force on Standard setting for the Indian Traditional Foods under FSSAI.
• Member, Advertisement Monitoring Committee of FSSAI to scrutinize and assess advertisements in food sector including for online and social media for ensuring compliance with FSSAI Regulations.

• Quality Control, Regulatory Inspections under the Public Distribution System across India as per the directions of FCI/Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD), Govt. of India.
• Investigations and Vigilance Cases, including Internal Audits in coordination with Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
• Litigations, Reconciliation and Court Cases including drafting of affidavits and filing of same in liaison with conduct of Advocates and Government Counsels.
• Scrutiny of Tenders and Appointment of Contractors including Open Market Operations of Government of India as per Public Distribution cum Food Policy
• Transparency and Audit Reports.
• Right to Information Act, 2006 and related matters including cases before Central Information Commission (CIC) of India
• Mentored junior team members for career advancement, while fostering a strong pipeline of future leaders within the organization.