Guidance Document

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HARMONISATION OF TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF PHARMACEUTICALS FOR HUMAN USE

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At Step 2 of the ICH Process, a consensus draft text or guideline, agreed by the appropriate ICH Expert Working Group, is transmitted by the ICH Steering Committee to the regulatory authorities of the three ICH regions (the European Union, Japan and the USA) for internal and external consultation, according to national or regional procedures.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 Objective

This document (Guide) is intended to provide guidance regarding good manufacturing practice (GMP) for the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) under an appropriate system for managing quality. It is also intended to ensure that all APIs meet requirements for quality and purity which they purport or are represented to possess.

In this Guide "manufacturing" is defined to include all operations of receipt of materials, production, packaging, repackaging, labelling, relabelling, quality control, release, storage and distribution of APIs and the related controls. In this Guide the term "should" indicates recommendations that are expected to apply unless shown to be inapplicable or replaced by an alternative demonstrated to provide at least an equivalent level of quality assurance. For the purposes of this Guide, the terms "current good manufacturing practices" and "good manufacturing practices" are equivalent.

The Guide as a whole does not cover safety aspects for the personnel engaged in the manufacture, nor aspects of protection of the environment. These controls are inherent responsibilities of the manufacturer and are governed by national laws.

This Guide is not intended to define registration/filing requirements or modify pharmacopeial requirements. This Guide does not affect the ability of the responsible regulatory agency to establish specific registration/filing requirements regarding APIs within the context of marketing/manufacturing authorizations or drug applications. All commitments in registration/filing documents must be met.

1.2 Regulatory Applicability

Within the world community, materials may vary as to the legal classification as an API. When a material is classified as an API in the region or country in which it is manufactured or used in a drug product, it should be produced according to this Guide.

1.3 Scope

This Guide applies to the manufacture of APIs for use in human drug (medicinal) products including sterile APIs only up to the point immediately prior to the API being rendered sterile. The sterilization and aseptic processing of sterile APIs are not covered by this guidance, but should be performed in accordance with GMP guidelines for drug (medicinal) products as defined by local authorities.

This Guide covers APIs that are manufactured by chemical synthesis, extraction, cell culture/fermentation, or by recovery from natural sources, or any combination of these processes. Specific guidance for APIs manufactured by cell culture/fermentation is described in Section 18. The intermediates and API's produced by recombinant DNA technology will be included for the purpose of this Guide provided they are proteinacious materials.

This Guide excludes all vaccines, whole cells, whole blood and plasma, and APIs derived from them (plasma fractionation). However, it does include APIs that are produced using blood or plasma as raw materials. Note that cell substrates (mammalian, plant, or microbial cells, tissue or animal sources including transgenic animals) and early process steps may be subject to GMP but are not covered by this Guide. In addition, the Guide does not apply to medical gases, bulk-packaged drug (medicinal) products, and manufacturing/control aspects specific to radiopharmaceuticals.

Section 19 contains guidance that only applies to the manufacture of APIs used in the production of drug (medicinal) products specifically for clinical trials (investigational medicinal products).

An "API Starting Material" is a material used in the production of an API which is incorporated as a significant structural fragment into the structure of the API. An API Starting Material may be an article of commerce, a material purchased from one or more suppliers under contract or commercial agreement, or it may be produced in-house. API Starting Materials normally have defined chemical properties and structure.

The company should designate and document the rationale for the point at which production of the API begins. For synthetic processes this is known as the point at which "API Starting Materials" are entered into the process. For other processes (e.g. fermentation, extraction, purification, etc), this rationale should be established on a case by case basis.

From this point on appropriate GMP as defined in this Guide should be applied to these intermediate and/or API manufacturing steps. This would include the validation of critical process steps determined to impact the quality of the API. However it should be noted that the fact that a company chooses to validate a process step does not necessarily define that step as critical.

The guidance in this document would normally be applied to the steps shown in gray in the table on the next page. The table is an example; it does not imply that all steps shown must be completed. The stringency of GMP in API manufacturing should increase as the process proceeds from early API steps to final steps, purification, and packaging. Physical processing of APIs such as granulation, coating or physical manipulation of particle size (e.g. milling, micronizing) should be conducted at least to the standards of this Guide.

This GMP Guide does not apply to steps prior to the introduction of the defined "API Starting Material".

2 Quality Management

2.1 Principles

2.10 Quality should be the responsibility of all persons involved in manufacturing.

2.11 Each manufacturer should establish, document, and implement an effective system for managing quality that involves the active participation of management and appropriate manufacturing personnel.

2.12 The system for managing quality should encompass the organisational structure, procedures, processes and resources, as well as activities necessary to ensure confidence that the API will meet its intended specifications for quality and purity. All quality related activities should be defined and documented.

2.13 All quality related activities should be recorded at the time they are performed.

2.14 Any deviation from established procedures should be documented and explained. Critical deviations should be investigated, and the investigation and its conclusions should be documented.

2.15 Procedures should exist for notifying responsible management in a timely manner of regulatory inspections, serious GMP deficiencies, product defects and related actions (e.g. quality related complaints, recalls, regulatory actions, etc.).

2.16 There should be a quality unit(s) which is independent of production, and which fulfills both quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) responsibilities. This may be in the form of separate QA and QC units or a single individual (or group), depending upon the size and structure of the organization.

2.17 No materials should be released or used before the satisfactory completion of evaluation by the quality unit(s) unless there are appropriate systems in place to allow for such use (e.g. release under quarantine as described in Section 10.20 or the use of raw materials or intermediates pending completion of evaluation).

2.18 The persons authorised to release intermediates and APIs should be specified.

2.2 Responsibilities of the Quality Unit(s)

2.20 The quality unit(s) should be involved in all quality-related matters.

2.21 The quality unit(s) should review and approve all appropriate quality related documents.

10.50 The main responsibilities of the independent quality unit(s) / should not be delegated. These responsibilities should be described in writing, and should include but not necessarily be limited to:

1. Releasing or rejecting all APIs;

2. Establishing a system to release or reject raw materials, intermediates, packaging and labelling materials;

3. Reviewing completed manufacturing records for critical process steps before release of the API for distribution;

4. Making sure that critical deviations are investigated and resolved;

5. Approving all specifications and master production instructions;

6. Approving all procedures potentially impacting the quality of intermediates or APIs;

7. Making sure that internal audits (self-inspections) are performed;

8. Approving intermediate and API contract manufacturers;

9. Approving changes that potentially impact intermediate or API quality;

10. Reviewing and approving validation protocols and reports;

11. Making sure that quality related complaints are investigated and resolved;

12. Making sure that effective systems are used for maintaining and calibrating critical equipment;

13. Making sure that materials are appropriately tested and the results are reported;

14. Making sure that there is stability data to support retest or expiry dates and storage conditions on intermediates and/or APIs where appropriate; and

15. Performing product quality reviews (as defined in Section 2.5)

2.3 Responsibility for production activities

The responsibility for production activities should be described in writing, and should include but not necessarily be limited to:

1. Preparing, reviewing, approving and distributing the instructions for the production of intermediates or APIs according to written procedures;

2. Producing APIs and, when appropriate, intermediates according to pre-approved instructions;

3. Reviewing all production batch records and ensuring that these are completed and signed;

4. Making sure that all production deviations are reported and evaluated and that critical deviations are investigated and the conclusions are recorded;

5. Making sure that production facilities are clean and when necessary disinfected;

6. Making sure that the necessary calibrations are performed and records kept;

7. Making sure that the premises and equipment are maintained and records kept;

8. Making sure that validation plans, protocols and reports are reviewed and approved;

9. Evaluating proposed changes in product, process or equipment; and

10. Making sure that new and, when appropriate, modified facilities and equipment are qualified.

2.4 Internal Audits (Self Inspection)

2.40 In order to verify compliance with the principles of GMP for APIs, regular internal audits should be performed in accordance with an approved schedule.

2.41 Audit findings and corrective actions should be documented and brought to the attention of responsible management of the firm. Agreed corrective actions should be completed in a timely and effective manner.

2.5 Product Quality Review

2.50 Regular quality reviews of APIs should be conducted with the objective of verifying the consistency of the process. Such reviews should normally be conducted and documented annually and should include at least:

- A review of critical in-process control and critical API test results;

- A review of all batches which failed to meet established specifications;

- A review of all critical deviations or non-conformances and related investigations;

- A review of any changes carried out to the processes or analytical methods;

- A review of results of the stability monitoring program;

- A review of all quality related returns, complaints and recalls; and

- A review of adequacy of corrective actions.

2.51 The results of this review should be evaluated and an assessment made of whether corrective action or any revalidation is necessary. The necessity for such corrective action should be documented. Agreed corrective actions should be completed in a timely and effective manner.

3 Personnel

3.1 Personnel Qualifications

3.10 There should be an adequate number of personnel qualified by appropriate education, training and/or experience to perform and supervise the manufacture of intermediates and APIs.

3.11 The responsibilities of all personnel engaged in the manufacture of intermediates and APIs should be specified in writing.

3.12 Training should be regularly conducted by qualified individuals and should cover at a minimum the particular operations that the employee performs and GMP as it relates to the employee's functions. Records of training should be maintained. The practical effectiveness of the training should be periodically assessed.

3.2 Personnel Hygiene

3.20 Personnel should practice good sanitation and health habits.

3.21 Personnel should wear clean clothing suitable for the manufacturing activity with which they are involved and this clothing should be changed when necessary. Additional protective apparel, such as head, face, hand, and arm coverings, should be worn when necessary, to protect intermediates and APIs from contamination.

3.22 Personnel should avoid direct contact with intermediates or APIs.

3.23 Smoking, eating, drinking, chewing and the storage of food should be restricted to certain designated areas separate from the manufacturing areas.

3.24 Personnel suffering from an infectious disease or having open lesions on the exposed surface of the body should not engage in activities, that could result in compromising the quality of APIs. Any person shown at any time (either by medical examination or supervisory observation) to have an apparent illness or open lesions that may adversely affect the safety or quality of APIs should be excluded from direct contact with APIs until the condition is corrected or qualified medical personnel determine that the person's inclusion would not jeopardize the safety or quality of the APIs.

3.3 Consultants

3.30 Consultants advising on the manufacture and control of intermediates or APIs should have sufficient education, training, and experience, or any combination thereof, to advise on the subject for which they are retained.

3.31 Records should be maintained stating the name, address, qualifications, and type of service provided by these consultants.

4 Buildings and Facilities

4.1 Design and Construction

4.10 Buildings and facilities used in the manufacture of intermediates and APIs should be located, designed, and constructed to facilitate cleaning, maintenance, and operations as appropriate to the type and stage of manufacture. Facilities should also be designed to minimize potential contamination. Where microbiological specifications have been established for the intermediate or API, facilities should also be designed to limit exposure to objectionable microbiological contaminants as appropriate.

4.11 Buildings and facilities should have adequate space for the orderly placement of equipment and materials to prevent mix-ups and contamination.

4.12 Where the equipment itself (e.g., closed or contained systems) provides adequate protection of the material, such equipment may be located outdoors.

4.13 The flow of materials and personnel through the building or facilities should be designed to prevent mix-ups or contamination.

4.14 There should be defined areas or other control systems for the following activities:

- Receipt, identification, sampling, and quarantine of incoming materials, pending release or rejection;

- Quarantine before release or rejection of intermediates and APIs;

- Sampling of intermediates and APIs;

- Holding rejected materials before further disposition (e.g., return, reprocessing or destruction);

- Storage of released materials;

- Production operations;

- Packaging and labelling operations; and

- Control and laboratory operations.

4.15 Adequate and clean washing facilities should be provided for personnel. These washing facilities should be equipped with hot and cold water as necessary, soap or detergent, air driers or single service towels. The washing and toilet facilities should be separate from, but easily accessible to, manufacturing areas. Adequate facilities for showering and/or changing clothes should be provided when appropriate.

4.16 Laboratory areas/operations should normally be separated from production areas. Some laboratory areas, in particular those used for in-process controls, may be located in production areas, provided the operations of the production process do not adversely affect the accuracy of the laboratory measurements, and the laboratory and its operations do not adversely affect the production process or intermediate or API.

4.2 Utilities

4.20 All utilities that could impact on product quality (e.g. steam, gases, and compressed air) should be qualified and appropriately monitored to ensure that specifications are met and action is taken when limits are exceeded.

4.21 Adequate ventilation and exhaust systems should be provided, where necessary. These systems should be designed and constructed to minimise risks of contamination and cross-contamination and should include equipment for control of air pressure, microorganisms (if appropriate), dust, humidity, and temperature, as appropriate to the stage of manufacture. Particular attention should be given to areas where APIs are exposed to the environment.

4.22 If air is recirculated to production areas, appropriate measures should be taken to control risks of contamination and cross-contamination.

4.23 Permanently installed pipework should be appropriately identified. This can be accomplished by identifying individual lines, documentation, computer control systems, or alternative means. Pipework should be located to avoid risks of contamination of the intermediate or API.

4.24 Drains should be of adequate size and should be provided with an air break or a suitable device to prevent back-siphonage, when appropriate.

4.3 Water

4.30 Water used in the manufacture of APIs should be demonstrated to be suitable for its intended use.

4.31 Unless otherwise justified, process water should, at a minimum, meet national standards for potable water that have been documented as at least equivalent to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In the absence of national standards, WHO guidelines should be used.

4.32 If potable water standards are insufficient to assure API quality and tighter chemical and microbiological water quality specifications are necessary, appropriate specifications for physical/chemical attributes, total microbial counts, objectionable organisms and/or endotoxins should be established.

4.33 Where water used in the process is treated by the manufacturer to achieve defined quality, the treatment process should be validated and monitored with appropriate action limits.

4.34 Where the manufacturer of a non-sterile API either intends or claims that it is suitable to be used in further processing to produce a sterile drug (medicinal) product, then water used in the final isolation and purification steps should be monitored and controlled for total microbial counts, objectionable organisms, and endotoxins.

4.4 Containment

4.40 Dedicated production areas, which may include such facilities as air handling equipment and/or process equipment, should be employed in the production of each type of highly sensitizing material (e.g., penicillins or cephalosporins).

4.41 Dedicated production areas should also be considered when material of an infectious nature or high pharmacological activity or toxicity is involved (e.g., certain steroids or cytotoxic anti-cancer agents) unless validated inactivation and/or cleaning procedures are established and maintained.

4.42 Appropriate measures should be established and implemented to prevent cross-contamination from personnel, materials, etc. moving from one dedicated area to another.

4.43 Any production activities (including weighing, milling, or packaging) of highly toxic non-pharmaceutical materials such as herbicides and pesticides should not be conducted using the buildings and/or equipment being used for the production of APIs. Handling and storage of these highly toxic non-pharmaceutical materials should be separate from APIs.

4.5 Lighting

4.50 Adequate lighting should be provided in all areas to facilitate cleaning, maintenance, and proper operations.

4.6 Sewage and Refuse

4.60 Sewage, refuse, and other waste (e.g., solids, liquids, or gaseous by-products from manufacturing) in and from buildings and the immediate surrounding area should be disposed of in a safe, timely, and sanitary manner. Containers and/or pipes for waste material should be clearly identified.

4.7 Sanitation and Maintenance

4.70 Buildings used in the manufacture of intermediates and APIs should be properly maintained and repaired and kept in a clean condition.

4.71 Written procedures should be established assigning responsibility for sanitation and describing the cleaning schedules, methods, equipment, and materials to be used in cleaning buildings and facilities.

4.72 When necessary, written procedures should also be established for the use of suitable rodenticides, insecticides, fungicides, fumigating agents, and cleaning and sanitizing agents to prevent the contamination of equipment, raw materials, packaging/labelling materials, intermediates, and APIs.

5 Process Equipment

5.1 Design and Construction

5.10 Equipment used in the manufacture of intermediates and APIs should be of appropriate design and adequate size, and suitably located for its intended use, cleaning, sanitization (where appropriate), and maintenance.

5.11 Equipment should be constructed so that surfaces that contact raw materials, intermediates, or APIs do not alter the quality of the intermediates and APIs beyond the official or other established specifications.

5.12 Production equipment should only be used within its qualified operating range.

5.13 Major equipment (e.g., reactors, storage containers) and permanently installed processing lines used during the production of an intermediate or API should be appropriately identified.

5.14 Any substances necessary for the operation of equipment, such as lubricants, heating fluids or coolants, should not contact intermediates or APIs so as to alter their quality beyond the official or other established specifications. Any deviations from this should be evaluated to ensure that there are no detrimental effects upon the fitness for purpose of the material. Wherever possible food grade lubricants and oils should be used.

5.15 Closed or contained equipment should be used whenever appropriate. Where open equipment is used, or equipment is opened, appropriate precautions should be taken to minimize contamination.

5.16 A set of current drawings should be maintained for equipment and critical installations (e.g., instrumentation and utility systems).

5.2 Equipment Maintenance and Cleaning

5.20 Schedules and procedures (including assignment of responsibility) should be established for the preventative maintenance of equipment.

5.21 Written procedures should be established for cleaning of equipment and its subsequent release for use in the manufacture of intermediates and APIs. Cleaning procedures should contain sufficient details to enable operators to clean each type of equipment in a reproducible and effective manner. These procedures should include, but should not be limited to:

- Assignment of responsibility for cleaning of equipment;

- Cleaning schedules, including, where appropriate, sanitizing schedules;

- A complete description of the methods and materials, including dilution of cleaning agents used to clean equipment;

- When appropriate, instructions for disassembling and reassembling each article of equipment to ensure proper cleaning;

- Instructions for the removal or obliteration of previous batch identification;

- Instructions for the protection of clean equipment from contamination prior to use;

- Inspection of equipment for cleanliness immediately before use, if practical; and

- Establishing the maximum time that may elapse between the completion of processing and equipment cleaning, when appropriate.

5.22 Equipment and utensils should be cleaned, stored, and, where necessary, sanitized or sterilized to prevent contamination or carry-over of a material that would alter the quality of the intermediate or API beyond the official or other established specifications.

5.23 Where equipment is assigned to continuous production or campaign production of successive batches of the same intermediate or API, equipment should be cleaned at appropriate intervals to prevent build-up and carry-over of contaminants (e.g. degradants) or objectionable levels of micro-organisms.

5.24 Non-dedicated equipment should be cleaned between production of different materials to prevent cross-contamination.

5.25 Acceptance criteria for residues and the choice of cleaning procedures and cleaning agents should be defined and justified.

5.26 Equipment should be identified as to its contents and its cleanliness status by appropriate means.

5.3 Calibration

5.30 Control, weighing, measuring, monitoring and test equipment that is critical for assuring the quality of intermediates or APIs should be calibrated according to written procedures and an established schedule.

5.31 Equipment calibrations should be performed using standards traceable to certified standards, if existing.

5.32 Records of these calibrations should be maintained.

5.33 The current calibration status of critical equipment should be known and verifiable.

5.34 Instruments that do not meet calibration criteria should not be used.

5.35 Deviations from approved standards of calibration on critical instruments should be investigated to determine if these could have had an impact on the quality of the intermediate(s) or API(s) manufactured using this equipment since the last successful calibration.

5.4 Computerized Systems

5.40 GMP related computerized systems should be validated. The depth and scope of validation depends on the diversity, complexity and criticality of the computerized application.

5.41 Appropriate installation qualification and operational qualification should demonstrate the suitability of computer hardware and software to perform assigned tasks.

5.42 Commercially available software that has been qualified does not require the same level of testing. If an existing system was not validated at time of installation, a retrospective validation may be conducted if appropriate documentation is available.

5.43 Computerized systems should have sufficient controls to prevent unauthorized access or changes to data. There should be controls to prevent omissions in data (e.g. system turned off and data not captured). There should be a record of any data change made, the previous entry, who made the change, and when the change was made.

5.44 Written procedures should be available for the operation and maintenance of computerized systems.

5.45 Where critical data are being entered manually, there should be an additional check on the accuracy of the entry. This may be done by a second operator or by the system itself.

5.46 Incidents related to computerized systems that could affect the quality of intermediates or APIs or the reliability of records or test results should be recorded and investigated.

5.47 All changes to the computerized system should be made according to a change procedure and should be formally authorized, documented and tested. Records should be kept of all changes including modifications and enhancements made to the hardware, software and any other critical component of the system to demonstrate that the final system is maintained in a validated state.

5.48 If system breakdowns or failures would result in the permanent loss of records then a back-up system should be provided. A means of ensuring data protection should be established for all computerized systems.

5.49 Recording data by a second means in addition to the computer system is acceptable to provide a backup data source.

6 Documentation and Records

6.1 Documentation System and Specifications

6.10 All documents related to the manufacture of intermediates or APIs should be prepared, reviewed, approved and distributed according to written procedures. Such documents may be in paper or electronic form.

6.11 The issuance, revision, superseding and withdrawal of all documents should be controlled with maintenance of revision histories.

6.12 A procedure should be established for retaining all appropriate documents (e.g., development history reports, scale-up reports, technical transfer reports, process validation reports, training records, production records, control records, and distribution records). The retention periods for these documents should be specified.

6.13 All production, control, and distribution records should be retained for at least one year after the expiry date of the batch. For APIs with retest dates, records should be retained for at least three years after the batch is completely distributed.

6.14 When entries need to be made in records, these should be made indelibly in spaces provided for such entries, directly after performing the activities (in the order performed), and should identify the person making the entry. Corrections to entries should be dated and signed and leave the original entry still readable.

6.15 All records or copies of such records, should be readily available during the retention period at the establishment where the activities described in such records occurred. Records that can be promptly retrieved from another location by electronic or other means are acceptable.

6.16 Specifications, instructions, procedures, and records may be retained either as originals or as true copies such as photocopies, microfilm, microfiche, or other accurate reproductions of the original records. Where reduction techniques such as microfilming or electronic records are used, suitable retrieval equipment and a means to produce a hard copy should be readily available.

6.17 Specifications should be established and documented for raw materials, intermediates where necessary, APIs and labelling and packaging materials. In addition, specifications may be necessary for certain other materials, such as process aids, gaskets, or other materials used during the production of intermediates or APIs that would critically impact on quality. Acceptance criteria should be established and documented for in-process controls.

6.18 Electronic signatures on documents are acceptable, provided they are authenticated and secure.

6.2 Equipment Cleaning and Use Record

6.20 Records of major equipment use, cleaning, sanitization and/or sterilization and maintenance should show the date, time (if appropriate), product, and batch number of each batch processed in the equipment, and the person who performed the cleaning and maintenance.

6.21 If equipment is dedicated to manufacturing one intermediate or API, then individual equipment records are not necessary if batches of the intermediate or API follow in traceable sequence. In cases where dedicated equipment is employed, the records of cleaning, maintenance, and use may be part of the batch record or may be maintained separately.

6.3 Records of Raw Materials, Intermediates, API Labelling and Packaging Materials

6.30 Records should be maintained including:

- The name of the manufacturer, identity and quantity of each shipment of each batch of raw materials, intermediates or labelling and packaging materials for API's; the name of the supplier; the supplier's control number(s), if known, or other identification numbe; the number allocated on receipt; and the date of receipt; -

- The results of any test or examination performed and the conclusions derived from this;

- Records tracing the use of materials;

- Documentation of the examination and review of API labelling and packaging materials for conformity with established specifications; and

- The final decision regarding rejected raw materials, intermediates or API labelling and packaging materials.

6.31 Master (approved) labels should be maintained for comparison to issued labels.

6.4 Master Production Instructions (Master Production and Control Records)

6.40 To ensure uniformity from batch to batch, master production instructions for each intermediate and API should be prepared, dated, and signed by one person and independently checked, dated, and signed by a person in the quality unit(s).

6.41 Master production instructions should include:

- The name of the intermediate or API being manufactured and an identifying document reference code, if applicable;

- A complete list of raw materials and intermediates designated by names or codes sufficiently specific to identify any special quality characteristics;

- An accurate statement of the quantity or ratio of each raw material or intermediate to be used, including the unit of measure. Where the quantity is not fixed, the calculation for each batch size or rate of production should be included. Reasonable variations are permitted provided they are justified;

- The production location and major production equipment to be used;

- Detailed production instructions, including the:

- sequences to be followed,

- ranges of process parameters to be used,

- sampling instructions and in-process controls with their acceptance criteria, where appropriate,

- time limits for completion of individual processing steps and/or the total process, where appropiate; and

- expected yield ranges at appropriate phases of processing or time;

- Where appropriate, special notations and precautions to be followed, or cross-references to these; and

- The instructions for storage of the intermediate or API to assure its suitability for use, including the labelling and packaging materials and special storage conditions with time limits where appropriate.

6.5 Batch Production Records (Batch Production and Control Records)

6.50 Batch production records should be prepared for each intermediate and API and should include complete information relating to the production and control of each batch. The batch production record should be checked before issuance to assure that it is the correct version and a legible accurate reproduction of the appropriate master production instruction. If the batch production record is produced from a separate master document, that document must include a reference to the current master production instruction being used.

6.51 These records should be numbered with a unique batch or identification number, dated and signed when issued. In continuous production the product code together with the date and time may serve as the unique identifier until the final number is allocated.

6.52 Written procedures should be established and followed for investigating critical deviations or the failure of a batch of intermediate or API to meet specifications. The investigation should extend to other batches that may have been associated with the specific failure or deviation.

6.53 Intermediates and APIs failing to meet established specifications should be identified as such and quarantined. Written procedures should be followed if these materials are reprocessed or reworked. The final disposition of rejected materials should be recorded.

6.54 Documentation of completion of each significant step in the batch production records (batch production and control records) should include:

- Dates and, when appropriate, times;

- Identity of major equipment (e.g., reactors, driers, mills, etc.) used;

- Specific identification of each batch, including weights, measures, and batch numbers of raw materials, intermediates, or any reprocessed materials used during manufacturing;

- Actual results recorded for critical process parameters;

- Any sampling performed;

- Signatures of the persons performing and directly supervising or checking each critical step in the operation;

- In-process and laboratory test results;

- Actual yield at appropriate phases or times;

- Description of packaging and label for intermediate or API;

- Representative label of API or intermediate if made commercially available;

- Any deviation noted, its evaluation, investigation conducted (if appropriate) or reference to that investigation if stored separately; and

- Results of release testing.

6.6 Laboratory Control Records

6.60 Laboratory control records should include complete data derived from all tests necessary to ensure compliance with established specifications and standards, including examinations and assays, as follows:

- A description of samples received for testing, including the material name or source, batch number or other distinctive code, date sample was taken, and, where appropriate, the quantity and date the sample was received for testing;

- A statement of or reference to each test method used;

- A statement of the weight or measure of sample used for each test as described by the method; data on or cross-reference to the preparation and testing of laboratory reference standards, reagents and standard solutions,

- A complete record of all raw data secured during each test, in addition to graphs, charts, and spectra from laboratory instrumentation, properly identified to show the specific material and batch tested;

- A record of all calculations performed in connection with the test, including, for example, units of measure, conversion factors, and equivalency factors;

- A statement of the test results and how they compare with established specifications;

- The signature of the person who performed each test and the date(s) the tests were performed; and

- The date and signature of a second person showing that the original records have been reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established standards.

6.61 Complete records should also be maintained for:

- Any modifications to an established analytical method,

- Periodic calibration of laboratory instruments, apparatus, gauges, and recording devices;

- All stability testing performed on APIs; and

- Out-of-specification (OOS) investigations.

6.7 Batch Production Record Review

6.70 Written procedures should be established and followed for the review and approval of batch production and laboratory control records, including packaging and labelling, to determine compliance of the intermediate or API with established specifications before a batch is released or distributed.

6.71 Batch production and laboratory control records for critical process steps should be reviewed and approved by the quality unit(s) before an API batch is released or distributed. Production and laboratory control records for earlier, non-critical process steps may be reviewed by qualified production personnel or other units following procedures approved by the quality unit(s).

6.72 All deviation, investigation, and OOS reports should be reviewed as part of the batch record review before the batch is released.

6.73 The quality unit(s) may delegate to the production unit the responsibility and authority for release of intermediates.

7 Materials Management

7.1 General Controls

7.10 There should be written procedures describing the receipt, identification, quarantine, storage, handling, sampling, testing, and approval or rejection of materials.

7.11 Manufacturers of intermediates and/or APIs should have a system for evaluating the suppliers of critical materials.

7.12 Materials should be purchased against an agreed specification, from a supplier or suppliers approved by the quality unit(s).

7.13 If the supplier of a critical material is not the manufacturer of that material, the name and address of that manufacturer should be known by the intermediate and/or API manufacturer.

7.14 Changing the source of supply of critical raw materials should be treated according to Section 13, Change Control.

7.2 Receipt and Quarantine

7.20 Upon receipt and before acceptance, each container or grouping of containers of materials should be examined visually for correct labelling, container damage, broken seals and evidence of tampering or contamination. Materials should be held under quarantine until they have been sampled, examined or tested as appropriate, and released for use.

7.21 Before incoming materials are mixed with existing stocks (e.g., solvents or stocks in silos) they should be identified as correct and released. Procedures should be available to prevent discharging into the wrong stock.

7.22 If bulk deliveries are made in non-dedicated tankers, there should be assurance of no cross-contamination from the tanker. Means of providing this assurance could include one or more of the following:

- certificate of cleaning

- testing for trace impurities

- audit of the supplier.

7.23 Large storage containers, and their attendant manifolds, filling and discharge lines should be appropriately identified.

7.24 Each container or grouping of containers (batches) of materials should be assigned and identified with a distinctive code, batch, or receipt number. This number should be used in recording the disposition of each batch. A system should be in place to identify the status of each batch.

7.3 Sampling and Testing of Materials

7.30 At least one test to verify the identity of each batch of material should be conducted, with the exception of the materials described below in 7.32. A supplier's Certificate of Analysis may be used in place of performing other tests provided that the manufacturer has a system in place to evaluate suppliers.

7.31 Supplier approval should require an evaluation including adequate evidence (e.g., past quality history) that the supplier can consistently provide material meeting specifications. Full analyses should be conducted on at least three batches before reducing in-house testing. However, as a minimum, a full analysis should be performed at appropriate intervals and compared with the Certificates of Analysis. Reliability of Certificates of Analysis should be checked at regular intervals.

7.32 Processing aids, hazardous or highly toxic raw materials, and other special materials do not need to be tested, provided the manufacturer's Certificate of Analysis is obtained showing that these raw materials conform to established specifications. Visual examination of containers, labels, and recording of batch numbers should help in establishing the identity of these materials. The lack of on-site testing for these materials should be justified and documented.

7.33 Samples should be representative of the batch of material from which they are taken. Sampling methods should specify the number of containers to be sampled, which part of the container to sample, and the amount of material to be taken from each container. The number of containers to sample and the sample size should be based upon a sampling plan which takes into consideration criticality of the material, material variability, past quality history of the supplier, and the quantity needed for analysis.

7.34 Sampling should be conducted at defined locations and by procedures designed to prevent contamination of the material sampled and contamination of other materials.

7.35 Containers from which samples are withdrawn should be opened carefully and subsequently reclosed. They should be marked to indicate that a sample has been taken.

7.4 Storage

7.40 Materials should be handled and stored in a manner to prevent degradation, contamination, and cross-contamination.

7.41 Materials stored in fiber drums, bags, or boxes should be stored off the floor and when necessary, suitably spaced to permit cleaning and inspection.

7.42 Materials should be stored under conditions and for a period that have no adverse affect on their quality, and should normally be rotated so that the oldest stock is used first.

7.43 Certain materials in suitable containers may be stored outdoors, provided identifying labels remain legible and containers are appropriately cleaned before opening and use.

7.44 Rejected materials should be identified and controlled under a quarantine system designed to prevent their unauthorised use in manufacturing.

7.5 Re-evaluation

7.50 Materials should be re-evaluated as appropriate to determine their suitability for use (e.g., after prolonged storage or exposure to heat or humidity).

8 Production and In-Process Controls

8.1 Production Operations

8.10 Raw materials for intermediate and API manufacturing should be weighed or measured under appropriate conditions that do not affect their suitability for use. Weighing and measuring devices should be of suitable accuracy for the intended use.

8.11 If a material is subdivided for later use in production operations, the container receiving the material should be suitable and should be so identified that the following information is available:

- Material name and item code;

- Receiving or control number;

- Weight or measure of material in the new container; and

- Re-evaluation or retest date if appropriate.

8.12 Critical weighing, measuring, or subdividing operations should be supervised or subjected to an equivalent control. Prior to use, production personnel should verify that the materials are those specified in the batch record for the intended intermediate or API.

8.13 Other critical activities should be supervised or subjected to an equivalent control.

8.14 Actual yields should be compared with expected yields at designated steps in the production process. Expected yields with appropriate ranges should be established based on previous laboratory, pilot scale, or manufacturing data. Deviations in yield associated with critical process steps should be investigated to determine their impact or potential impact on the resulting quality of affected batches.

8.15 Any deviation should be documented and explained. Any critical deviation should be investigated.

8.16 The processing status of major units of equipment should be indicated either on the individual units of equipment or by appropriate documentation, computer control systems, or alternative means.

8.17 Materials to be reprocessed or reworked should be appropriately controlled to prevent unauthorized use.

8.2 Time Limits

8.20 If time limits are specified in the master production instruction (see 6.41), these time limits should be met to ensure the quality of intermediates and APIs. Deviations should be documented and evaluated. Time limits may be inappropriate when processing to a specification (e.g., pH adjustment, hydrogenation, drying to predetermined specification) because completion of reactions or processing steps are determined by in-process sampling and testing.

8.21 Intermediates held for further processing should be stored under appropriate conditions to assure their suitability for use.

8.3 In-process Sampling and Controls

8.30 Written procedures should be established to monitor the progress and control the performance of processing steps that cause variability in the quality characteristics of intermediates and APIs. In-process controls and their acceptance criteria should be defined based on the information gained during the development stage or historical data.

8.31 The acceptance criteria and type and extent of testing may depend on the nature of the intermediate or API being manufactured, the reaction or process step being conducted, and the degree to which the process introduces variability in the product's quality. Less stringent in-process controls may be appropriate in early processing steps, whereas tighter controls may be appropriate for later processing steps (e.g., isolation and purification steps).

8.32 Critical in-process controls (and process monitoring), including the control points and methods, should be stated in writing and approved by the quality unit(s).

8.33 In-process controls may be performed by production department personnel and the process adjusted without prior quality unit(s) approval, provided adjustments are made within pre-established limits approved by the quality unit(s). All tests and results should be fully documented as part of the batch record.

8.34 Written procedures should describe the sampling methods for in-process materials, intermediates, and APIs. Sampling plans and procedures should be based on scientifically sound sampling practices.

8.35 In-process sampling should be conducted using procedures designed to prevent contamination of the sampled material and other intermediates or APIs. Procedures should be established to ensure the integrity of samples after collection.

8.4 Blending Batches of Intermediates or APIs

10.51 For the purpose of this document, blending is defined as the process of combining materials within the same specification to produce a homogeneous intermediate or API. In-process mixing of fractions from single batches (e.g., collecting multiple fermentation batches in a single holding tank or collecting several centrifuge loads from a single crystallization batch) is considered to be part of the production process and is not considered to be blending.

8.41 Out-Of-Specification batches should not be blended with other batches for the purpose of meeting specifications. Each batch incorporated into the blend should have been manufactured using an established process and should have been individually tested and found to meet appropriate specifications prior to blending.

8.42 Acceptable blending operations include but are not limited to:

- Blending of small batches to increase batch size

- Blending of tailings (i.e., relatively small quantities of isolated material) from batches of the same intermediate or API to form a single batch.

8.43 Blending processes should be adequately controlled and documented and the blended batch should be tested for conformance to established specifications.

8.44 The batch record of the blending process should allow traceability back to the individual batches that make up the blend.

8.45 Where physical attributes of the API are critical (e.g., APIs intended for use in solid oral dosage forms or suspensions) blending operations should be validated to show homogeneity of the combined batch. Validation should include testing of critical attributes (e.g., particle size distribution, bulk density, and tap density) that may be affected by the blending process.

8.46 Stability testing of the final blended batches is necessary if the blending could cause a change in the already established stability data.

8.47 The expiry or retest date of the blended batch should be based on the manufacturing date of the oldest tailings or batch in the blend.

8.5 Contamination Control

8.50 Carryover of leftover materials from successive batches of the same intermediate or API (e.g., residue adhering to the wall of a micronizer, residual layer of damp crystals remaining in a centrifuge bowl after discharge, and incomplete discharge of fluids or crystals from a processing vessel upon transfer of the material to the next step in the process) is acceptable provided it is adequately controlled. Such carryover should not result in the carryover of degradants or microbial contamination that may adversely alter the established API impurity profile.

8.51 Production operations should be conducted in a manner that will prevent contamination of intermediates or APIs by other materials.

8.52 Special attention should be taken when APIs are handled after purification to avoid contamination.

9 Packaging and Labelling of APIs and Intermediates for Transport

9.1 General

9.10 There should be written procedures describing the receipt, identification, quarantine, sampling, examination and/or testing and release, and handling of packaging and labelling materials.

9.11 Packaging and labelling materials should conform to established specifications. Those that do not comply with such specifications should be rejected to prevent their use in operations for which they are unsuitable.

9.12 Records should be maintained for each shipment of labels and packaging materials showing receipt, examination, or testing, and whether accepted or rejected.

9.2 Packaging Materials

9.20 Containers should provide adequate protection against deterioration or contamination of the intermediate or API that may occur during transportation and recommended storage.

9.21 Containers should be clean, and where indicated by the nature of the intermediate or API, sanitized to ensure that they are suitable for their intended use. These containers should not be reactive, additive, or absorptive so as to alter the quality of the intermediate or API beyond the specified limits.

9.22 If containers are re-used, they should be cleaned in accordance with documented procedures and all previous labels should be removed or defaced.

9.3 Label Issuance and Control

9.30 Access to the label storage areas should be limited to authorised personnel.

9.31 Procedures should be used to reconcile the quantities of labels issued, used, and returned and to evaluate discrepancies found between the number of containers labelled and the number of labels issued. Such discrepancies should be investigated, and the investigation should be approved by the quality unit(s).

9.32 All excess labels bearing batch numbers or other batch related printing should be destroyed. Returned labels should be maintained and stored in a manner that prevents mix-ups and provides proper identification.

9.33 Obsolete and out-dated labels should be destroyed.

9.34 Printing devices used to print labels for packaging operations should be controlled to ensure that all imprinting conforms to the print specified in the batch production record.

9.35 Printed labels issued for a batch should be carefully examined for proper identity and conformity to specifications in the master production record. The results of this examination should be documented in the batch production record.

9.36 A printed label representative of those used should be included in the batch production record.

9.4 Packaging and Labelling Operations

9.40 There should be documented procedures designed to ensure that correct packaging materials and labels are used.

9.41 Labelling operations should be designed to prevent mix-ups. There should be physical or spatial separation from operations involving other intermediates or APIs.

9.42 Labels used on containers of intermediates or APIs should indicate the name or identifying code, the batch number of the product and storage conditions when such information is critical to assure the quality of intermediate or API. If the intermediate or API is intended to be transferred outside the control of the manufacturer's material management system, the name and address of the manufacturer, quantity of contents, and special transport conditions and any special legal requirements should also be included on the label. For intermediates or APIs with an expiry date, the expiry date should be indicated on the label and Certificate of Analysis. For intermediates or APIs with a retest date, the retest date should be indicated on the label and/or Certificate of Analysis.

9.43 Packaging and labelling facilities should be inspected immediately before use to ensure that all materials not needed for the next packaging operation have been removed. This examination should be documented in the batch production records, the facility log, or other documentation system.

9.44 Packaged and labelled intermediates or APIs should be examined to ensure that containers and packages in the batch have the correct label. This examination may be part of the packaging operation. Results of these examinations should be recorded in the batch production or control records.

9.45 Intermediate or API containers that are transported outside of the manufacturer's control should be sealed in a manner such that, if the seal is breached or missing, the recipient will be alerted to the possibility that the contents may have been altered.

10 Storage and Distribution

10.1 Warehousing Procedures

10.10 Facilities should be available for the storage of all materials under appropriate conditions (e.g. controlled temperature and humidity when necessary). Records should be maintained of these conditions if they are critical for the maintenance of material characteristics.

10.11 Unless there is an alternative system to prevent the unintentional or unauthorised use of quarantined, rejected, returned, or recalled materials, separate storage areas should be assigned for their temporary storage until the decision as to their future use has been taken.

10.2 Distribution Procedures

10.20 APIs should only be released for distribution to third parties after they have been released by the quality unit(s). API's may be transferred under quarantine to another unit under the company's control when authorized by the quality unit(s) and providing appropriate controls and documentation are in place.

10.21 APIs should be transported in a manner that does not adversely affect their quality.

10.22 Special transport or storage conditions for an API should be stated on the label.

10.23 The API manufacturer should ensure that the contract acceptor (contractor) for transportation of the API knows and follows the appropriate transport and storage conditions.

10.24 A system should be in place by which the distribution of each batch of intermediate and/or API can be readily determined to permit its recall if necessary.

11 Laboratory Controls

11.1 General Controls

11.10 The independent quality unit(s) must have at its disposal adequate laboratory facilities.

11.11 There should be documented procedures describing sampling, testing, approval or rejection of materials, and recording and storage of laboratory data.

11.12 Laboratory records should be maintained in accordance with Section 6.6.

11.13 All specifications, sampling plans, and test procedures should be scientifically sound and appropriate to ensure that raw materials, intermediates, APIs, and labels and packaging materials conform to established standards of quality and/or purity. Specifications and test procedures should be consistent with those included in the registration/filing. There may be specifications in addition to those in the registration/filing. All specifications, sampling plans, and test procedures, including changes to them, should be drafted by the appropriate organizational unit and reviewed and approved by the quality unit(s).

11.14 Appropriate specifications should be established for APIs in accordance with accepted standards and consistent with the manufacturing process. The specifications should include a control of the impurities e.g. organic impurities, inorganic impurities, and residual solvents). If the API needs to be of a specified microbiological purity, appropriate action limits for total microbial counts, objectionable organisms, and endotoxins may need to be established and met.

11.15 Laboratory controls should be followed and documented at the time of performance. Any deviation from the above described procedures should be documented and justified.

11.16 Any out-of-specification result obtained should be investigated and documented according to a procedure. This procedure should require analysis of the data, assessment of whether a significant problem exists, allocation of the tasks for corrective actions and conclusions. Any resampling and/or retesting after OOS results should be performed according to a documented procedure.

11.17 Primary standards should be obtained as appropriate for the manufacture of APIs. The source of each primary standard should be documented. Records should be maintained of each primary standards storage and use in accordance with the supplier's recommendations. Primary reference standards obtained from an officially recognised source need not be tested if stored under conditions consistent with the supplier's recommendations.

11.18 In cases where a primary standard is necessary and one is not available from an officially recognized source, an "in-house primary standard" should be established. This standard may be prepared by independent synthesis or by further purification of existing production material. Appropriate testing should be performed to establish fully the identity and purity. Appropriate documentation of this testing should be maintained.

11.19 Secondary laboratory reference standards should be appropriately prepared, identified, tested, approved, and stored. The suitability of each batch of secondary reference standard should be determined prior to first use by comparing against a primary reference standard. Each batch of secondary reference standard should be periodically requalified in accordance with a written protocol.

11.2 Testing of Intermediates and APIs

11.20 For each batch of intermediate and API, appropriate laboratory tests should be conducted to determine conformance to specifications.

11.21 An impurity profile describing the identified and unidentified impurities present in a typical batch produced by a specific controlled production process should normally be established for each API. The impurity profile includes the identity or some qualitative analytical designation (e.g. retention time), the range of each impurity observed, and classification of each identified impurity (e.g. inorganic, organic, solvent). The impurity profile is normally dependent upon the process and origin of the API. Impurity profiles are normally not necessary for APIs from herbal or animal tissue origin. Biotech considerations are covered in ICH Guideline Q6B.

11.22 The impurity profile should be compared at appropriate intervals against the impurity profile in the regulatory submission or compared against historical data in order to detect changes to the API resulting from modifications in raw materials, equipment operating parameters, or the production process.

11.23 Appropriate microbiological tests should be conducted on each batch of intermediate and API where a defined microbial quality is necessary.

11.3 Validation of Analytical Procedures - see Section 12.

11.4 Certificates of Analysis

11.40 Authentic Certificates of Analysis should be issued for each batch of intermediate or API on request.

11.41 Information on the name of the intermediate or API including its grade, where appropriate, the batch number, the date of release, and the expiry date should be provided on the label and Certificate of Analysis. For intermediates or APIs with a retest date, the retest date should be indicated on the label and/or Certificate of Analysis.

11.42 The Certificate should list each test performed in accordance with compendial or customer requirements, including the acceptance limits, and the numerical results obtained (if test results are numerical).

11.43 Certificates should be dated and signed by authorised personnel of the quality unit(s) and should show the name, address and telephone number of the original manufacturer. In case the analysis has been carried out by a repacker or reprocessor, the Certificate of Analysis should show the name, address and telephone number of the repacker/reprocessor and a reference to the name of the original manufacturer.

11.44 If new Certificates are issued by or on behalf of repackers/reprocessors, agents or brokers, these Certificates should show the name, address and telephone number of the laboratory that performed the analysis. They should also contain a reference to the name and address of the original manufacturer and to the original batch Certificate, a copy of which should be attached.

11.5 Stability Monitoring of APIs

10.52 A documented, on-going, testing program should be designed to monitor the stability characteristics of APIs, and the results should be used to confirm appropriate storage conditions and retest or expiry dates. Where appropriate, these programs should be consistent with the ICH guidelines on stability.

11.51 The test procedures used in stability testing should be validated and be stability indicating.

11.52 Stability samples should be stored in containers that simulate the market container. For example, if the API is marketed in bags within fiber drums, stability samples may be packaged in bags of the same material and in smaller-scale drums of similar or identical material composition to the market drums.

11.53 Normally the first three commercial production batches should be placed on the stability monitoring program to confirm the retest or expiry date. However, where data from previous studies shows that the API is expected to remain stable for at least two years, fewer than three batches may be used.

11.54 Thereafter, at least one batch per year of API manufactured (unless none is produced that year) should be added to the stability monitoring program and tested at least annually to confirm the stability.

11.55 For APIs with short shelf-lives, testing should be done more frequently. For example, for those biotechnological/biologic and other APIs with shelf-lives of one year or less, stability samples should be obtained and should be tested monthly for the first three months, and at three month intervals after that. When data exist that confirm that the stability of the API is not compromised, elimination of specific test intervals (e.g. 9 month testing) may be considered.

11.6 Expiry and Retest Dating

11.60 When an intermediate is intended to be transferred outside the control of the manufacturer's material management system and an expiry or retest date is assigned, supporting stability information should be available (e.g. published data, test results).

11.61 An API expiry or retest date should be based on an evaluation of data derived from stability studies. Common practice is to use a retest date, not an expiration date.

11.62 Preliminary API expiry or retest dates may be based on pilot scale batches if (1) the pilot batches employ a method of manufacture and procedure that simulates the final process to be used on a commercial manufacturing scale; and (2) the quality of the API represents the material to be made on a commercial scale.

11.63 A representative sample should be taken for the purpose of performing a retest.

11.7 Reserve/Retention Samples

11.70 Reserve samples are maintained for the purpose of evaluating the quality of batches of API at a later date, if necessary. The packaging and holding of these samples is for the purpose of potential future evaluation and not for future stability testing purposes.

11.71 Appropriately identified reserve samples of each API batch should be retained for one year after the expiry date of the batch assigned by the manufacturer, or for three years after distribution of the batch, whichever is the longer. For APIs with retest dates, similar reserve samples should be retained for three years after the batch is completely distributed from the manufacturer.

11.72 The reserve sample should be stored under conditions consistent with product labels, in the same packaging system in which the API is stored or in one that is equivalent to or more protective than the marketed packaging system. Sufficient quantities should be retained to conduct at least two full compendial analyses or, when there is no pharmacopeial monograph, two full specification analyses.

12 Validation

12.1 Validation Policy

12.10 The company's overall policy, intentions, and approach to validation, including the validation of production processes, cleaning procedures, analytical methods, in-process control test procedures, computerized systems, and persons responsible for design, review, approval and documentation of each validation phase, should be documented.

12.11 The critical parameters/attributes should normally be identified during the development stage or from historical data, and the ranges necessary for the reproducible operation should be defined. This should include:

- Defining the API in terms of its critical product attributes;

- Identifying process parameters that may affect the critical quality attributes of the API;

- Determining the range for each critical process parameter expected to be used during routine manufacturing and process control.

12.12 Validation should extend to those operations determined to be critical to the quality and purity of the API.

12.2 Validation Documentation

12.20 A written validation protocol should be established that specifies how validation of a particular process will be conducted. The protocol should be reviewed and approved by the quality unit(s) and other designated units.

12.21 The validation protocol should specify critical process steps and acceptance criteria as well as the type of validation to be conducted (e.g. retrospective, prospective, concurrent) and the number of process runs.

12.22 A validation report that cross-references the validation protocol should be prepared, summarising the results obtained, commenting on any deviations observed, and drawing the necessary conclusions, including recommending changes necessary to correct deficiencies.

12.23 Any changes to the plan as defined in the validation protocol should be documented with appropriate justification.

12.3 Qualification

12.30 Before starting process validation activities, appropriate qualification of equipment and ancillary systems should be completed. Qualification is usually carried out by conducting the following activities, individually or combined:

- Design Qualification (DQ) is documented verification that the proposed design of the facilities, equipment, or systems is suitable for the intended purpose.

- Installation Qualification (IQ) is documente