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1.1 This practice provides statistically valid procedures for determining the visual detection limit of residues and the qualification of inspectors to perform the visual inspection of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment surfaces and medical devices for residues.

1.2 This practice applies to pharmaceuticals [including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs); dosage forms; and over-the-counter, veterinary, biologics, and clinical supplies] and medical devices following all manufacturing and cleaning. This practice is also applicable to other health, cosmetics, and consumer products.

1.3 This practice applies to all types of chemical residues (including APIs, intermediates, cleaning agents, processing aids, machining oils, and so forth) that could remain on manufacturing equipment surfaces or medical devices that have undergone all manufacturing steps including cleaning.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

4.1 Application of the approach described within this practice applies the science-based, risk-based, and statistics-based concepts and principles introduced in Guides E3106 and E3219.

4.2 Application of the approach described within this practice provides a science-, risk-, and statistical-based approach for qualifying the inspection of equipment for cleanliness in accordance with 21 CFR 211.67(b)(6).

4.3 Application of the approach described within this practice provides a science-, risk-, and statistical-based approach for qualifying the visual inspection of equipment for cleanliness in accordance with European Medicines Agency (EMA) Annex 15 (2).

4.4 Application of the approach described within this practice provides a science-, risk-, and statistical-based approach for qualifying the visual inspection of equipment for cleanliness in accordance with the EMA’s Q&A Guidance (Q&A’s #7 and #8) (2).

4.5 Application of the approach described within this practice applies the risk-based concepts and principles introduced in ICH Q9. As stated in ICH Q9, the level of effort, formality, and documentation for validation (including cleaning validation) should also be commensurate with the level of risk.

4.6 Application of the approach described within this practice provides a science-, risk-, and statistical-based approach for releasing manufacturing equipment and manufactured medical devices or cleanliness that is compatible with the U.S. FDA Guidance on Process Analytical Technology Initiative (3).

4.7 Key Concepts—This practice applies the following key concepts: (1) visual inspection, (2) quality risk management, (3) science-based approach, (4) statistics-based approach, and (5) process knowledge and understanding.