Standard Operating Procedure for Handling and Storage of Packaging Materials
| Department | Sterile Injectable Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| SOP No. | SOP/SIM/096/2025 |
| Supersedes | SOP/SIM/096/2022 |
| Page No. | Page 1 of 13 |
| Issue Date | 18/06/2025 |
| Effective Date | 20/06/2025 |
| Review Date | 18/06/2026 |
1. Purpose
To establish a procedure for the proper handling, identification, segregation, labeling, and storage of packaging materials to prevent contamination, mix-ups, or deterioration, ensuring compliance with GMP standards.
2. Scope
This SOP is applicable to all primary
and secondary packaging materials including labels, cartons, inserts, trays, caps, seals, vials, and prefilled syringe components received and stored at the sterile injectable manufacturing site.
3. Responsibilities
- Store Assistant: Receives and stores packaging materials as per defined protocol.
- Quality Control: Performs sampling and inspection of received materials.
- Quality Assurance: Approves materials for use and ensures GMP compliance.
4. Accountability
The Head of Stores is accountable for implementation and adherence to this SOP.
5. Procedure
5.1 Receipt and Initial Handling
- Receive packaging materials against approved purchase orders.
- Check the consignment for physical damage, labeling, and quantity against delivery challan.
- Quarantine received materials in a designated area with “UNDER TEST” status labels (Annexure-1).
- Update the Packaging Material Receipt Log (Annexure-2).
5.2 Sampling and Quality Control Testing
- QC personnel shall draw samples as per SOP/QC/PM/022 for testing.
- Samples shall be identified with “SAMPLE UNDER TEST” tags.
- After approval, QA will affix “APPROVED” or “REJECTED” labels accordingly.
5.3 Segregation and Labeling
- Store approved, rejected, and under-test materials in physically segregated areas.
- Ensure clear visual identification with color-coded status labels.
- Maintain FIFO (First In, First Out) system for inventory rotation.
5.4 Storage Conditions
- Store materials at defined temperature and humidity conditions as specified in supplier CoA or internal SOPs.
- Monitor and record environmental conditions twice daily using calibrated data loggers (Annexure-3).
- Do not stack materials beyond specified pallet heights.
5.5 Issuance for Use
- Issue only “APPROVED” packaging materials based on material requisition slips.
- Update the Packaging Material Issuance Log (Annexure-4) accordingly.
- Cross-verify material name, item code, batch number, and quantity before dispatch to production.
5.6 Handling of Rejected Materials
- Store rejected materials in a separate lock-and-key area labeled “REJECTED.”
- Initiate material return or destruction as per SOP/WHS/004.
5.7 Record Keeping
- All records including receipt logs, test status, label history, and issuance records must be retained for a minimum of five years or as per regulatory requirements.
6. Abbreviations
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
- QA: Quality Assurance
- QC: Quality Control
- FIFO: First In First Out
- CoA: Certificate of Analysis
7. Documents
- Status Label Log – Annexure-1
- Packaging Material Receipt Log – Annexure-2
- Storage Condition Monitoring Log – Annexure-3
- Packaging Material Issuance Log – Annexure-4
8. References
- WHO TRS 986 Annex 2: GMP for Pharmaceutical Products
- EU GMP Guidelines – Chapter 5: Production
- 21 CFR Part 211 – Subpart G: Packaging and Labeling Control
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: Status Label Log
| Material Name | Label Applied | Date | By Whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass Vials 10 mL | UNDER TEST | 17/06/2025 | Sunita Reddy |
Annexure-2: Packaging Material Receipt Log
| Date | Material | Qty | Batch No. | Received By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/06/2025 | Labels 1 mL Vial | 20,000 | LBL-2025-012 | Rajesh Kumar |
Annexure-3: Storage Condition Monitoring Log
| Date | Time | Temperature (°C) | Humidity (%) | Checked By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/06/2025 | 10:00 AM | 24.0 | 50 | Ravi Deshmukh |
Annexure-4: Packaging Material Issuance Log
| Material | Issued Qty | Batch No. | Date | Issued To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartons 1 mL Vial | 10,000 | INJ-096 | 18/06/2025 | Production – Line 1 |
Revision History
| Revision Date | Revision No. | Details | Reason | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/04/2022 | 1.0 | Initial SOP | New release | Head QA |
| 18/06/2025 | 2.0 | Storage log and issuance log formats updated | GMP alignment | Head QA |