SOP for Equipment Qualification in Aerosol Manufacturing
Department | Aerosol |
---|---|
SOP No. | SOP/Aerosol/112/2025 |
Supersedes | SOP/Aerosol/112/2022 |
Page No. | Page 1 of Y |
Issue Date | 06/02/2025 |
Effective Date | 16/02/2025 |
Review Date | 06/02/2028 |
1. Purpose
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) defines the process for equipment qualification in aerosol manufacturing. The objective is to ensure that all equipment used in the manufacturing of aerosol products is installed, operates, and performs as intended, and consistently meets the required specifications. Equipment qualification is a critical part of maintaining product quality and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
2. Scope
This SOP applies to all equipment used in the manufacturing process of aerosol products at [Company Name]. It covers the qualification process, including Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ), for all relevant manufacturing equipment.
3. Responsibilities
- Maintenance Team: Responsible for ensuring that all equipment is properly installed, maintained, and calibrated according to manufacturer specifications.
- Quality Assurance (QA) Team: Responsible for overseeing the qualification process, reviewing qualification protocols and reports, and ensuring compliance with GMP and regulatory guidelines.
- Production Team: Responsible for providing equipment usage data, assisting with qualification tests, and verifying equipment performance during production.
- Validation Team: Responsible for developing the qualification protocol, executing tests, and documenting the results for IQ, OQ, and PQ.
4. Accountability
The Manufacturing Manager is
5. Procedure
5.1. Equipment Qualification Process Overview
- The equipment qualification process consists of three stages:
- Installation Qualification (IQ): Ensures that the equipment is installed correctly and meets the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Operational Qualification (OQ): Verifies that the equipment operates as intended under specified conditions and that it meets the operational requirements.
- Performance Qualification (PQ): Confirms that the equipment performs consistently and reliably during actual production conditions.
- Each stage of qualification must be documented and reviewed before moving to the next stage.
5.2. Installation Qualification (IQ)
- Installation Qualification ensures that the equipment has been properly installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and specifications. The following activities should be performed during IQ:
- Verify that the equipment is installed in the correct location, with appropriate utilities (e.g., power, water, air) connected.
- Ensure that all safety features and control systems are in place and functional.
- Confirm that all components are present, and installation is complete as per the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Document any discrepancies in the installation and address them before proceeding to the next stage.
- The IQ report should include details such as:
- Installation location
- Equipment identification number
- Calibration and verification results for key components
- Any corrective actions taken
5.3. Operational Qualification (OQ)
- Operational Qualification ensures that the equipment operates within the defined parameters and meets the required functional specifications. The following activities should be performed during OQ:
- Verify that the equipment operates as intended under specified conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, speed).
- Test and validate all critical process control parameters (e.g., filling accuracy, propellant charging, spray rate).
- Ensure that alarms, safety systems, and error messages are functioning correctly.
- Perform a series of tests to assess the equipment’s ability to perform under normal operating conditions.
- The OQ report should include:
- Operational parameters tested
- Test results for each parameter
- Any deviations or non-conformities observed
- Corrective actions taken to address deviations
5.4. Performance Qualification (PQ)
- Performance Qualification ensures that the equipment can consistently produce aerosol products that meet quality specifications over time. The following activities should be performed during PQ:
- Run production batches to verify that the equipment performs as expected during actual manufacturing conditions.
- Test the final product for quality attributes such as appearance, performance (e.g., spray rate, actuator function), and chemical composition.
- Monitor equipment performance during production to ensure consistency and reliability.
- Perform additional tests if required to confirm long-term performance.
- The PQ report should include:
- Production batch data and test results
- Performance data and verification against specifications
- Analysis of any deviations or failures
- Corrective actions taken to resolve any issues
5.5. Documentation and Record Keeping
- All equipment qualification activities should be documented and stored securely for future reference and regulatory review. The following records should be maintained:
- Installation Qualification Report (Annexure-1)
- Operational Qualification Report (Annexure-2)
- Performance Qualification Report (Annexure-3)
- Corrective Action Log (Annexure-4)
- Qualification records should be signed and dated by the responsible personnel. Records should be reviewed periodically to ensure they are complete and accurate.
- Qualification records should be retained for a minimum of 3 years or as required by regulatory guidelines.
5.6. Requalification
- If significant changes are made to the equipment (e.g., upgrades, repairs, or modifications), the equipment must undergo requalification to ensure continued compliance with the required specifications.
- Requalification should follow the same process as initial qualification and should include IQ, OQ, and PQ, as necessary.
6. Abbreviations
- GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice
- QA: Quality Assurance
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
- RH: Relative Humidity
- CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
- OQ: Operational Qualification
- PQ: Performance Qualification
- IQ: Installation Qualification
7. Documents
- Installation Qualification Report (Annexure-1)
- Operational Qualification Report (Annexure-2)
- Performance Qualification Report (Annexure-3)
- Corrective Action Log (Annexure-4)
8. References
This SOP is based on the following regulatory guidelines and industry standards:
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Guidelines
- FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21, Part 211
- International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Guidelines
9. SOP Version
Version: 2.0
10. Approval Section
Prepared By | Checked By | Approved By | |
---|---|---|---|
Signature | |||
Date | |||
Name | |||
Designation | |||
Department |
11. Annexures
Annexure-1: Installation Qualification Report
Equipment ID | Installation Date | Installation Location | Verification Results | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aerosol-Fill-001 | 15/02/2025 | Line 3 | Compliant | Ready for OQ |
Annexure-2: Operational Qualification Report
Test Parameter | Test Conditions | Result | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
Filling Accuracy | ±1% | Pass | Operates as expected |
Annexure-3: Performance Qualification Report
Batch Number | Test Date | Result | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
Batch-001 | 17/02/2025 | Pass | Meets all quality specifications |
Annexure-4: Corrective Action Log
Action ID | Action Description | Assigned To | Completion Date | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
ACT-12345 | Re-calibrated filling system | Rajesh Patel | 18/02/2025 | Resolved accuracy issue |
12. Revision History:
Revision Date | Revision No. | Revision Details | Reason for Revision | Approved By | Page No. | Ref. Point No. | Details of Revision |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
01/01/2024 | V 1.0 | Initial Release | First Issue | Anjali Sharma | Page 1 | [Ref Point] | First Release |
01/01/2025 | V 2.0 | Updated qualification procedures | To comply with updated GMP regulations | Anjali Sharma | Page 1 | [Ref Point] | Updated procedures |