Standard Operating Procedure for Post-Cleaning Inspection of Filling Lines
| Department | Sterile Injectable Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| SOP No. | SOP/SIM/153/2025 |
| Supersedes | SOP/SIM/153/2022 |
| Page No. | Page 1 of 14 |
| Issue Date | 24/06/2025 |
| Effective Date | 26/06/2025 |
| Review Date | 24/06/2026 |
1. Purpose
This SOP defines the systematic procedure for conducting visual and documented inspections of injectable filling lines post-cleaning, ensuring no visible residues, proper sanitization, and readiness for aseptic manufacturing as per cGMP standards.
2. Scope
This procedure applies to all filling lines,
3. Responsibilities
- Filling Line Operator: Performs preliminary inspection and signs cleaning log.
- Production Supervisor: Performs secondary verification.
- Quality Assurance Officer: Conducts final inspection and documents release.
4. Accountability
The Head of Production and Head of QA are jointly accountable for ensuring that post-cleaning inspection is performed and documented for all sterile injectable filling lines.
5. Procedure
5.1 Pre-Inspection Requirements
- Ensure cleaning has been completed as per approved cleaning SOP and logged appropriately.
- All components must be dismantled and accessible for inspection where applicable.
- Cleaning records (Annexure-1) must be available before initiating inspection.
5.2 Visual Inspection
- Use white lint-free cloths, flashlight, and magnifiers where necessary.
- Inspect all equipment surfaces including:
- Filling needles
- Tubing
- Valves and joints
- Hopper and holding tanks
- Vial stoppers and tracks
- Look for:
- Residues or films
- Particulate matter
- Moisture or pooling
- Corrosion or rust spots
5.3 Documentation
- Complete Annexure-2: Post-Cleaning Inspection Checklist.
- Include:
- Inspector’s name and signature
- Date and time of inspection
- Observations made
- Status: Passed/Needs Re-cleaning
5.4 QA Verification
- QA officer to verify checklist entries and perform random checks.
- Approve or reject filling line readiness using Annexure-3: Inspection Release Record.
5.5 Non-Compliance Handling
- If any surface fails visual inspection:
- Mark equipment “NOT READY FOR USE.”
- Initiate re-cleaning and document in Annexure-4: Cleaning Failure Log.
5.6 Final Release
- QA Officer signs Annexure-3 to approve the line for sterile operations.
- Attach all inspection records to batch manufacturing documentation.
6. Abbreviations
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
- QA: Quality Assurance
- GMP: Good Manufacturing Practices
- cGMP: Current Good Manufacturing Practices
7. Documents
- Annexure-1: Cleaning Activity Record
- Annexure-2: Post-Cleaning Inspection Checklist
- Annexure-3: Filling Line Inspection Release Record
- Annexure-4: Cleaning Failure Log
8. References
- ICH Q7 Guidelines
- 21 CFR Part 211
- EU GMP Annex 1
9. SOP Version
Version: 2.0
10. Approval Section
| Prepared By | Checked By | Approved By | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | |||
| Date | |||
| Name | |||
| Designation | Production Executive | QA Executive | Head QA |
| Department | Production | Quality Assurance | Quality Assurance |
11. Annexures
Annexure-1: Cleaning Activity Record
| Date | Equipment ID | Cleaned By | Checked By | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22/06/2025 | FL-02 | Ajay Mehra | Anita Reddy | NA |
Annexure-2: Post-Cleaning Inspection Checklist
| Area | Condition | Inspector | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needles | Clean | Sunita Reddy | 22/06/2025 | Pass |
Annexure-3: Filling Line Inspection Release Record
| Filling Line ID | Date | Approved By (QA) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL-02 | 22/06/2025 | Vikram Rao | Approved |
Annexure-4: Cleaning Failure Log
| Date | Equipment ID | Issue Noted | Action Taken | Verified By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/06/2025 | FL-01 | Visible Residue | Re-cleaned | QA |
Revision History:
| Revision Date | Revision No. | Details | Reason | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2022 | 1.0 | Initial release | New SOP | QA Head |
| 24/06/2025 | 2.0 | Added visual inspection points and QA release documentation | Annual Review | QA Head |