Standard Operating Procedure for Use of CIP (Clean-In-Place) Systems in Injectable Manufacturing
| Department | Sterile Injectable Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| SOP No. | SOP/SIM/127/2025 |
| Supersedes | SOP/SIM/127/2022 |
| Page No. | Page 1 of 15 |
| Issue Date | 24/06/2025 |
| Effective Date | 26/06/2025 |
| Review Date | 24/06/2026 |
1. Purpose
To describe the validated procedure for the operation of Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems for cleaning vessels, transfer pipelines, filters, and other equipment used in sterile injectable manufacturing. This SOP ensures consistency, hygiene, and
compliance with GMP.
2. Scope
This procedure is applicable to all CIP systems installed in the sterile injectable manufacturing area for the cleaning of solution preparation tanks, transfer lines, holding vessels, and related piping components.
3. Responsibilities
- Manufacturing Operator: Operates and monitors CIP cycles.
- Manufacturing Supervisor: Ensures adherence to procedure and reviews logs.
- Quality Assurance: Verifies cleaning effectiveness and approves records.
- Engineering Department: Maintains CIP system equipment and performs calibration.
4. Accountability
Production Head and QA Head are accountable for ensuring SOP compliance and effectiveness of the CIP cleaning cycle.
5. Procedure
5.1 Pre-Cleaning Checks
- Ensure the CIP system is connected correctly to the equipment to be cleaned.
- Verify availability of approved cleaning agents and proper concentration.
- Ensure equipment is free from gross contamination before initiating CIP.
- Record the pre-cleaning status in the CIP Pre-Cleaning Checklist (Annexure-1).
5.2 CIP Cycle Overview
- The standard CIP cycle consists of the following steps:
- Initial Rinse (Water for Injection – WFI)
- Alkaline Wash with Detergent
- Intermediate Rinse (Purified Water)
- Acid Rinse (if applicable)
- Final Rinse (WFI)
- Drying (Air/Nitrogen Flush if validated)
5.3 Operating Instructions
- Turn on the CIP system and set the parameters per the validated CIP recipe loaded in the HMI/SCADA.
- Verify temperature and flow rate sensors are calibrated and operational.
- Start the CIP cycle and monitor:
- Flow rate and pressure (must meet validated specifications)
- Temperature (e.g., 80°C for hot WFI rinse)
- Detergent concentration (verified via titration)
- Cycle timing and sequencing
- Document all values in the CIP Execution Log (Annexure-2).
5.4 Post-Cleaning Verification
- Visually inspect equipment for residue, staining, or pooling of cleaning agents.
- Collect rinse water samples and send to QC for:
- TOC (Total Organic Carbon)
- Conductivity
- Microbial Testing
- Confirm cleanliness before use in manufacturing. Fill Cleaning Approval Form (Annexure-3).
5.5 Special Considerations
- Never modify the validated cycle without re-approval.
- Re-validate the CIP cycle after any significant system changes or new equipment integration.
5.6 Cleaning Frequency
- Perform CIP after every batch or as per the cleaning schedule.
- Record all cleaning activities in the Cleaning Schedule Log.
6. Abbreviations
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
- CIP: Clean-In-Place
- WFI: Water for Injection
- TOC: Total Organic Carbon
- QC: Quality Control
- HMI: Human Machine Interface
7. Documents
- CIP Pre-Cleaning Checklist – Annexure-1
- CIP Execution Log – Annexure-2
- Cleaning Approval Form – Annexure-3
8. References
- WHO TRS 986 – GMP for Pharmaceutical Products
- 21 CFR Part 211 – US FDA cGMP
- ISPE Baseline Guide for Cleaning Validation
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: CIP Pre-Cleaning Checklist
| Checklist Item | Status | Checked By | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line Clearance | Completed | Rajesh Kumar | 24/06/2025 |
| Cleaning Agent Available | Yes | Sunita Reddy | 24/06/2025 |
Annexure-2: CIP Execution Log
| Parameter | Set Value | Observed Value | Checked By | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rinse Temp (WFI) | 80°C | 79.5°C | Ajay Verma | 24/06/2025 |
| Detergent Flow Rate | 100 L/min | 102 L/min | Ajay Verma | 24/06/2025 |
Annexure-3: Cleaning Approval Form
| Equipment ID | Cleaned On | Inspected By | Approved By | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIP-002 | 24/06/2025 | Ravi Sharma | QA Officer | 24/06/2025 |
Revision History
| Revision Date | Revision No. | Details | Reason | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/02/2022 | 1.0 | Initial SOP Released | New Installation | QA Head |
| 24/06/2025 | 2.0 | Updated Cycle Parameters & Documentation Flow | Annual Review | QA Head |