SOP Guide for Pharma

SOP for Maintaining Correct Storage Order to Prevent Contamination – V 2.0

SOP for Maintaining Correct Storage Order to Prevent Contamination – V 2.0

Standard Operating Procedure for Maintaining Correct Storage Order to Prevent Contamination

Department Warehouse / Quality Assurance
SOP No. SOP/RM/176/2025
Supersedes SOP/RM/176/2022
Page No. Page 1 of 15
Issue Date 11/04/2025
Effective Date 18/04/2025
Review Date 11/04/2026

1. Purpose

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines the guidelines for maintaining the correct storage order of raw materials in the warehouse to prevent cross-contamination, ensure product integrity, and comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

2. Scope

This SOP applies to all warehouse and quality assurance (QA) personnel involved in the storage, organization, and handling of raw materials within the facility, including temperature-sensitive, hazardous, and general materials.

3. Responsibilities

  • Warehouse Personnel: Ensure proper storage order is maintained and materials are correctly labeled and segregated.
  • Warehouse Manager: Oversee the implementation of the correct storage order and monitor compliance.
  • Quality Assurance (QA) Team: Conduct regular audits and verify adherence to storage guidelines.

4. Accountability

The Warehouse Manager is accountable for maintaining the correct storage order of raw materials. The QA Manager is responsible for auditing storage conditions and ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines.

5. Procedure

5.1 Storage Order Requirements

  1. Material
Segregation:
  • Segregate raw materials based on type (API, excipients, solvents), hazard classification (flammable, corrosive), and storage conditions (temperature-sensitive, light-sensitive).
  • Document segregation details in the Material Segregation Log (Annexure-1).
  • FIFO/FEFO Implementation:
    • Implement First-In-First-Out (FIFO) and First-Expiry-First-Out (FEFO) principles to manage inventory and prevent material degradation.
    • Track FIFO/FEFO compliance in the FIFO/FEFO Compliance Log (Annexure-2).
  • 5.2 Storage Conditions

    1. Temperature and Humidity Control:
      • Maintain specified temperature and humidity conditions as per material requirements. Use calibrated equipment for monitoring.
      • Log readings in the Environmental Monitoring Log (Annexure-3).
    2. Storage Equipment and Labeling:
      • Ensure storage racks, shelves, and containers are clean, labeled, and maintained. Use color-coded labels to indicate material status (approved, quarantined, rejected).
      • Document equipment status and labeling in the Storage Equipment and Labeling Log (Annexure-4).

    5.3 Handling Procedures to Prevent Contamination

    1. Proper Handling Techniques:
      • Ensure materials are handled with clean, sanitized equipment. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling sensitive or hazardous materials.
      • Document handling procedures in the Material Handling Log (Annexure-5).
    2. Cross-Contamination Prevention:
      • Use dedicated tools and storage areas for different material categories to prevent cross-contamination. Maintain a clear separation between APIs, excipients, and solvents.
      • Track cross-contamination control measures in the Cross-Contamination Control Log (Annexure-6).

    5.4 Inspection and Compliance

    1. Routine Inspections:
      • Conduct weekly inspections of storage areas to verify compliance with storage order protocols.
      • Record inspection results in the Storage Inspection Log (Annexure-7).
    2. Audit and Corrective Actions:
      • Perform monthly audits to identify non-conformances and initiate corrective actions as needed.
      • Document audit findings in the Audit and Corrective Action Log (Annexure-8).

    5.5 Training and Non-Conformance Handling

    1. Employee Training:
      • Provide periodic training to warehouse staff on correct storage order and contamination prevention protocols.
      • Record training sessions in the Storage Order Training Log (Annexure-9).
    2. Non-Conformance Handling:
      • Document any deviations from storage protocols in the non-conformance log and implement corrective actions.

    6. Abbreviations

    • SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
    • GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice
    • QA: Quality Assurance
    • PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
    • FIFO: First-In-First-Out
    • FEFO: First-Expiry-First-Out

    7. Documents

    1. Material Segregation Log (Annexure-1)
    2. FIFO/FEFO Compliance Log (Annexure-2)
    3. Environmental Monitoring Log (Annexure-3)
    4. Storage Equipment and Labeling Log (Annexure-4)
    5. Material Handling Log (Annexure-5)
    6. Cross-Contamination Control Log (Annexure-6)
    7. Storage Inspection Log (Annexure-7)
    8. Audit and Corrective Action Log (Annexure-8)
    9. Storage Order Training Log (Annexure-9)

    8. References

    • 21 CFR Part 211 – Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Finished Pharmaceuticals
    • WHO Guidelines on Good Storage Practices for Pharmaceuticals
    • FDA Guidance on Warehouse Management

    9. SOP Version

    Version: 2.0

    10. Approval Section

    Prepared By Checked By Approved By
    Signature
    Date
    Name
    Designation
    Department

    Annexure-1: Material Segregation Log

    Date Material Name Category (API/Excipient/Solvent) Storage Area Segregated By
    11/04/2025 API X API Controlled Storage Area Ravi Kumar

    Annexure-2: FIFO/FEFO Compliance Log

    Date Material Name Batch Number Expiry Date FIFO/FEFO Status Checked By
    11/04/2025 API X Batch 12345 30/06/2025 Compliant Neha Verma

    Annexure-3: Environmental Monitoring Log

    Date Storage Area Temperature (°C) Humidity (%) Checked By
    11/04/2025 Cold Storage 5°C 55% Amit Joshi

    Annexure-4: Storage Equipment and Labeling Log

    Date Equipment Type Status Labeling Status Inspected By
    11/04/2025 Shelf A1 Good Properly Labeled Priya Singh

    Annexure-5: Material Handling Log

    Date Material Name Handled By PPE Used Remarks
    11/04/2025 Excipient Y Ajay Sharma Gloves, Mask Properly Handled

    Annexure-6: Cross-Contamination Control Log

    Date Material Name Cross-Contamination Risk Control Measures Verified By
    11/04/2025 API X High Dedicated Equipment Kiran Patel

    Annexure-7: Storage Inspection Log

    Date Storage Area Inspector Name Findings Remarks
    11/04/2025 Cold Storage QA Supervisor Compliant No Issues Found

    Annexure-8: Audit and Corrective Action Log

    Date Audit Area Audit Findings Corrective Actions Completed By
    11/04/2025 Shelf A1 Label Missing Label Replaced QA Manager

    Annexure-9: Storage Order Training Log

    Date Employee Name Training Topic Trainer Remarks
    11/04/2025 Sanjay Mehta Storage Order Compliance QA Manager Completed Successfully

    Revision History:

    Revision Date Revision No. Revision Details Reason for Revision Approved By
    01/01/2024 1.0 Initial Version New SOP Implementation QA Head
    11/04/2025 2.0 Updated storage handling protocols and added contamination prevention measures. Regulatory Update QA Head
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