The Council on Government Relations (COGR) compiled this "Cost of Doing Business Study: Compliance Initiative Inventory" to systematically document the range and prevalence of compliance-related initiatives and associated costs faced by research institutions. The inventory, based on respondent feedback from multiple institutions (tracked via color-coded responses), encompasses a broad spectrum of activities required to comply with federal, state, and institutional regulations. These activities include reporting, auditing, staff increases, administrative system enhancements, compliance training, laboratory and environmental safety protocols, ethical oversight such as Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and Conflict of Interest (COI) policies, and requirements concerning research involving human and animal subjects.
The document highlights the extensive administrative and financial burdens placed on research institutions due to escalating regulatory requirements. It illustrates that numerous institutions have responded by increasing staff, investing in new systems and training, enhancing monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and establishing new committees and offices dedicated to compliance. Areas such as HIPAA, hazardous waste management, animal care, laboratory security, and research cost compliance feature prominently among frequently reported initiatives. The inventory underscores the growing complexity and cost of maintaining compliance in the research environment, offering a detailed, itemized view to support institutional planning, benchmarking, and advocacy efforts regarding regulatory policy and funding.
