SOP Guide for Pharma

Sterile Injectable Manufacturing: SOP for Calibration of Instruments Used in QA Labs – V 2.0

Sterile Injectable Manufacturing: SOP for Calibration of Instruments Used in QA Labs – V 2.0

Standard Operating Procedure for Calibration of Instruments Used in QA Labs


Department Sterile Injectable Manufacturing
SOP No. SOP/SIM/087/2025
Supersedes SOP/SIM/087/2022
Page No. Page 1 of 13
Issue Date 18/06/2025
Effective Date 20/06/2025
Review Date 18/06/2026

1. Purpose

To outline a systematic procedure for the calibration of instruments and equipment used in Quality Assurance (QA) laboratories to ensure consistent performance, data accuracy, and regulatory compliance in sterile injectable

manufacturing.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to all analytical instruments and laboratory equipment utilized within the QA labs for testing, verification, and quality assessments of sterile injectable products.

3. Responsibilities

  • QA Lab Analysts: Operate calibrated instruments as per the latest calibration status.
  • QA Calibration Coordinator: Schedule, coordinate, and verify calibration activities.
  • External Calibration Vendors: Perform calibration as per applicable standards (if outsourced).
  • Engineering/Maintenance: Assist in equipment preparation and troubleshooting.

4. Accountability

The Head of Quality Assurance is accountable for ensuring that all laboratory instruments are calibrated within the defined frequency and maintained as per GMP standards.

5. Procedure

5.1 Preparation for Calibration

  1. Prepare an annual calibration schedule for all QA instruments and get it approved by QA Head.
  2. Ensure instruments are clean, functional, and free from sample residues before calibration.
  3. Refer to the previous calibration report (Annexure-1) to check past results and non-conformities.

5.2 Calibration Execution

  1. Perform calibration using certified reference standards traceable to national/international bodies.
  2. Record readings before and after calibration (as found/as left) in Calibration Worksheet (Annexure-2).
  3. If deviations are found, label instrument as “OUT OF CALIBRATION” and withdraw from use.
  4. Acceptable calibration tolerance shall be defined in individual instrument SOPs.

5.3 Labeling and Documentation

  1. Affix a “CALIBRATED” label with:
    • Calibration Date
    • Next Due Date
    • Calibration Reference Number
  2. Update the Calibration Status Log (Annexure-3) upon completion of calibration.

5.4 Handling Out-of-Tolerance (OOT) Instruments

  1. If the instrument fails calibration:
    • Initiate deviation as per SOP on OOT results.
    • Assess impact on data generated since last calibration.
    • Perform corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

5.5 Review and Approval

  1. QA Calibration Coordinator verifies calibration certificates.
  2. Certificates are filed with corresponding equipment ID and stored for 5 years.

6. Abbreviations

  • SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
  • QA: Quality Assurance
  • OOT: Out of Tolerance
  • CAPA: Corrective and Preventive Action
  • GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice

7. Documents

  1. Previous Calibration Report – Annexure-1
  2. Calibration Worksheet – Annexure-2
  3. Calibration Status Log – Annexure-3

8. References

  • ICH Q10 – Pharmaceutical Quality System
  • ISO 17025 – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
  • 21 CFR Part 211.68 – Automatic, Mechanical, and Electronic Equipment

9. SOP Version

Version: 2.0

10. Approval Section

Prepared By Checked By Approved By
Signature
Date
Name
Designation Manufacturing Executive QA Executive Head QA
Department Production Quality Assurance Quality Assurance

11. Annexures

Annexure-1: Previous Calibration Report

Instrument Name Equipment ID Last Calibration Date Status
HPLC QA/HPLC/004 05/06/2024 Pass

Annexure-2: Calibration Worksheet

Instrument Parameter As Found As Left Tolerance Status
Balance Weight 100.2g 100.0g ±0.1g Pass

Annexure-3: Calibration Status Log

Instrument Calibration Date Due Date Status Calibrated By
pH Meter 10/06/2025 10/06/2026 Calibrated Ravindra Joshi

Revision History

Revision Date Revision No. Details Reason Approved By
05/06/2022 1.0 Initial version New SOP QA Head
18/06/2025 2.0 Clarified labeling, documentation, and added OOT handling Review Cycle QA Head
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