SOP Guide for Pharma

Gel Manufacturing: SOP for Calibration and Maintenance of pH Meter – V 2.0

Gel Manufacturing: SOP for Calibration and Maintenance of pH Meter – V 2.0

Standard Operating Procedure for Calibration and Maintenance of pH Meter in Gel Manufacturing


Department Gel Manufacturing
SOP No. SOP/GM/138/2025
Supersedes SOP/GM/138/2022
Page No. Page 1 of 9
Issue Date 09/06/2025
Effective Date 11/06/2025
Review Date 09/06/2027

1. Purpose

To define the procedure for proper calibration and maintenance of pH meters used in the gel manufacturing area to ensure accurate and reliable pH measurements in compliance with GMP requirements.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to all benchtop and handheld pH meters used

for in-process and final pH checks in gel formulation and production units.

3. Responsibilities

  • Production Chemist: Performs calibration and routine maintenance.
  • QA Executive: Verifies calibration records and ensures compliance.
  • Engineering Technician: Supports troubleshooting and annual maintenance.

4. Accountability

Head – Manufacturing

5. Procedure

5.1 Equipment and Reagents Required

  1. pH meter (calibrated internally)
  2. Standard buffer solutions (pH 4.01, 7.00, and 9.20)
  3. Distilled or deionized water
  4. Cleaning tissue or lint-free cloth

5.2 Calibration Procedure

  1. Switch on the pH meter and allow stabilization for 10 minutes.
  2. Rinse electrode with distilled water and gently blot dry.
  3. Immerse electrode into pH 7.00 buffer. Wait until reading stabilizes and press ‘calibrate.’
  4. Repeat with pH 4.01 and pH 9.20 buffers (as applicable for the product range).
  5. Calibration is considered successful if error is within ±0.05 pH units.
  6. Record calibration data in the pH Meter Calibration Log (Annexure-1).

5.3 Maintenance Procedure

  1. Clean electrode daily with distilled water and once a week with electrode cleaning solution.
  2. Store the electrode in recommended storage solution when not in use.
  3. Check for cracks, dried gel, or discoloration before each use.
  4. Replace electrodes as per manufacturer recommendation or if faulty response is detected.

5.4 Troubleshooting

  1. If drift is observed in readings, clean and re-calibrate the electrode.
  2. If unstable readings persist, check for loose cables and power supply.
  3. Escalate unresolved issues to Engineering or QA.

6. Abbreviations

  • QA: Quality Assurance
  • GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice
  • pH: Potential of Hydrogen

7. Documents

  1. pH Meter Calibration Log – Annexure-1
  2. Maintenance Checklist – Annexure-2
  3. Deviation Report (if calibration fails)

8. References

  • Manufacturer’s Manual of pH Meter
  • ICH Q2(R1): Validation of Analytical Procedures
  • GMP Guidelines – Schedule M

9. SOP Version

Version: 2.0

10. Approval Section

Prepared By Checked By Approved By
Signature
Date
Name
Designation Jr. Production Chemist QA Executive Head – Manufacturing
Department Gel Manufacturing Quality Assurance Manufacturing

11. Annexures

Annexure-1: pH Meter Calibration Log

Date Time Buffer Used Observed Reading Corrected? Performed By Remarks

Annexure-2: Maintenance Checklist

Date Cleaning Performed Electrode Condition Storage Checked Performed By Remarks

Revision History

Revision Date Revision No. Change Description Reason Approved By
12/02/2022 1.0 Initial issue New SOP QA Head
09/06/2025 2.0 Updated calibration intervals and troubleshooting guidance Annual review QA Head
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