Regulatory affairs is a profession that has developed to ensure the safety and efficacy of regulated products like pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetics. Regulatory affairs professionals are responsible for understanding and complying with regulations, collecting scientific data, and submitting applications to regulatory agencies to obtain approval to market products. They provide strategic guidance to companies on navigating the regulatory process from product development through marketing approval and post-market compliance. Ensuring compliance with regulations governing manufacturing, quality management systems, advertising, and other areas is important for regulatory affairs.