SOP Guide for Pharma

Gel Manufacturing: SOP for Verification of Equipment Cleaning Before Use – V 2.0

Gel Manufacturing: SOP for Verification of Equipment Cleaning Before Use – V 2.0

Standard Operating Procedure for Verification of Equipment Cleaning Before Use in Gel Manufacturing


Department Gel Manufacturing
SOP No. SOP/GM/134/2025
Supersedes SOP/GM/134/2022
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 verifying the cleanliness of manufacturing equipment before use in gel production, ensuring that cross-contamination and microbial risks are prevented.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to all manufacturing equipment used in the Gel Manufacturing

Department, including mixing vessels, transfer lines, and packaging equipment.

3. Responsibilities

  • Production Operator: Ensures visual cleanliness and initiates cleaning verification request.
  • Quality Assurance Officer: Performs verification and authorizes equipment use.
  • Manufacturing Supervisor: Coordinates the cleaning process and ensures adherence to SOP.

4. Accountability

Head – Quality Assurance and Head – Manufacturing

5. Procedure

5.1 Visual Inspection by Operator

  1. Inspect equipment for visible residues, stains, or foreign particles.
  2. Check hard-to-reach areas such as gaskets, nozzles, and agitator shafts.
  3. Complete operator checklist and notify QA for verification.

5.2 Quality Assurance Verification

  1. QA personnel to conduct independent visual inspection under adequate lighting.
  2. Perform swab sampling from product contact surfaces for microbiological and chemical residue testing (if applicable).
  3. Review last product manufactured and ensure compatibility or requirement of product changeover cleaning.

5.3 Documentation of Verification

  1. Complete the Equipment Cleaning Verification Form – Annexure-1.
  2. Record observations, swab results (if any), date, and authorization for use.
  3. Attach the verification form with the batch production record (BPR).

5.4 Handling Non-Compliant Equipment

  1. If cleaning is inadequate, mark equipment as “Not Cleaned” and return for re-cleaning.
  2. Document deviation and investigate the cause if repeated failures occur.

5.5 Re-Use Time Limits

  1. If the equipment remains unused for more than 72 hours after verification, re-verification is mandatory before use.

6. Abbreviations

  • BPR: Batch Production Record
  • QA: Quality Assurance
  • SOP: Standard Operating Procedure

7. Documents

  1. Equipment Cleaning Verification Form – Annexure-1
  2. Equipment Cleaning Logbook
  3. Swab Test Report (if applicable)

8. References

  • WHO TRS 986 Annex 2 – Cleaning Validation
  • Schedule M – Good Manufacturing Practices
  • 21 CFR Part 211 – cGMP for Finished Pharmaceuticals

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: Equipment Cleaning Verification Form

Equipment Name
Equipment ID
Cleaning Type Product Changeover / Campaign
Last Product Manufactured
Visual Inspection Date
Swab Test Conducted Yes / No
Swab Test Result Pass / Fail
Verified By (QA)
Date of Verification
Status Authorized for Use / Re-cleaning Required

Revision History

Revision Date Revision No. Change Description Reason Approved By
05/06/2022 1.0 Initial Issue New SOP QA Head
09/06/2025 2.0 Included swab sampling and re-verification time limits Annual Review QA Head
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