Regulatory affairs, also called government affairs, is a profession within regulated industries, such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agrochemicals, energy, banking, telecom etc. Regulatory affairs also has a very specific meaning within the healthcare industries. Regulatory affairs is a profession developed from the desire of governments to protect public health by controlling the safety and efficacy of products in areas including pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, medical devices, pesticides, agrochemicals, cosmetics and complementary medicines, and by the companies Regulatory affairs officer: job description. Regulatory affairs officers act as a link between companies and regulatory authorities, ensuring that products are manufactured and distributed in compliance with appropriate legislation. The profession offers opportunities for travel and international employment. The role of the regulatory affairs department The regulatory affairs (RA) department of a pharmaceutical company is responsible for obtaining approval for new pharmaceutical products and ensuring that approval is maintained for as long as the company wants to keep the product on the market. The field of regulatory affairs offers career stability and plenty of room for advancement. You'll get to make a tangible difference by ensuring that the pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, foods, and nutritional products that we all use are safe and effective.