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