Standard Operating Procedure for Line Clearance in Dispensing Area
Department | Elixir Department |
---|---|
SOP No. | SOP/ELX/009/2025 |
Supersedes | SOP/ELX/009/2022 |
Page No. | Page 1 of 8 |
Issue Date | 13/04/2025 |
Effective Date | 15/04/2025 |
Review Date | 13/04/2026 |
1. Purpose
To establish a standard procedure for performing line clearance in the dispensing area to ensure that the area is free from any materials, products, documents, or equipment from the previous activity before initiating a new batch dispensing operation.
2. Scope
This SOP is applicable to all dispensing operations carried out in the designated dispensing area of the Elixir Department. It must be followed before the commencement of any new batch or material dispensing activity.
3. Responsibilities
- Warehouse Operator:
- Perform preliminary check and inform QA for line clearance.
- QA Personnel:
- Conduct line clearance inspection and authorize area readiness.
- Ensure the area is free from materials/documents related to previous activities.
- Warehouse Supervisor:
- Coordinate the line clearance activity and ensure compliance with this SOP.
4. Accountability
The Head of Quality Assurance is accountable for ensuring that line clearance is conducted as per procedure and documented prior to
any dispensing activity.
5. Procedure
5.1 Pre-Line Clearance Checks
- Ensure the area is cleaned and sanitized as per the cleaning SOP.
- Verify that all equipment such as weighing balances, scoops, spatulas, and containers are cleaned and labeled “CLEANED.”
- Check that no material, label, or document from the previous batch is present in the dispensing area.
5.2 QA Line Clearance
- QA officer shall enter the dispensing area and perform the following verifications:
- Cleanliness of floors, walls, and equipment surfaces
- Availability of approved BMR and dispensing labels for the new batch
- Absence of leftover raw materials, empty containers, or printed documents from the previous batch
- Calibration status of weighing balances
- Environmental parameters (temperature, RH, differential pressure)
- Record all checks in the Line Clearance Checklist (Annexure-1).
- If any discrepancy is observed, report immediately to the QA Manager and hold the activity until resolved.
5.3 Documentation
- Complete the Line Clearance Checklist and affix it to the BMR.
- QA personnel shall sign and date the checklist upon successful clearance.
- Store the checklist with the batch documentation for future reference.
5.4 Re-Entry After Interruption
- In case of power failure, equipment breakdown, or extended interruption during dispensing:
- Repeat full line clearance before restarting the activity.
- Record the interruption and re-clearance in the Remarks column of the checklist.
5.5 Line Clearance Frequency
- Before the start of any batch dispensing.
- After cleaning and sanitization of the dispensing area.
- After any interruption, contamination event, or deviation.
6. Abbreviations
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
- BMR: Batch Manufacturing Record
- QA: Quality Assurance
- RH: Relative Humidity
7. Documents
- Line Clearance Checklist (Annexure-1)
8. References
- WHO GMP Guidelines – Production and In-Process Controls
- 21 CFR Part 211 – Subpart F: Production and Process Controls
9. SOP Version
Version: 2.0
10. Approval Section
Prepared By | Checked By | Approved By | |
---|---|---|---|
Signature | |||
Date | |||
Name | |||
Designation | |||
Department |
11. Annexures
Annexure-1: Line Clearance Checklist
Checklist Item | Status (Yes/No) | Remarks |
---|---|---|
Area cleaned and sanitized | Yes | – |
No previous batch material present | Yes | – |
Approved BMR and labels available | Yes | – |
Calibrated weighing balances available | Yes | – |
Environmental parameters within range | Yes | Temp: 22.5°C, RH: 52% |
Revision History:
Revision Date | Revision No. | Revision Details | Reason for Revision | Approved By |
---|---|---|---|---|
10/01/2022 | 1.0 | Initial SOP Release | New SOP Creation | QA Head |
13/04/2025 | 2.0 | Enhanced checklist and re-entry requirements | Audit Readiness | QA Head |