Processing Operations:
16.15 Before any processing operation is started, steps should be taken to ensure that the work area and equipment are clean and free from any starting materials, products, product residues, labels or documents not required for the current operation.
16.16 Any necessary in-process controls and environmental controls should be carried out and recorded.
16.17 Means should be instituted of indicating failures of equipment or of services (e.g. water, gas) to equipment. Defective equipment should be withdrawn from use until the defect has been rectified. After use, production equipment should be cleaned without delay according to detailed written procedures and stored under clean and dry conditions in a separate area or in a manner that will prevent contamination.
16.18 Time limits for storage of equipment after cleaning and before use should be stated and based on relevant data.
16.19 Containers for filling should be cleaned before filling. Attention should be given to avoiding and removing any contaminants such as glass fragments and metal particles.
16.20 Any significant deviation from the expected yield should be recorded and investigated.
16.21 Checks should be carried out to ensure that pipelines and other pieces of equipment used for the transportation of products from one area to another are connected in the correct manner.
16.22 Pipes used for conveying distilled or deionized water and, where appropriate, other water pipes should be sanitized and stored according to written procedures that detail the action limits for microbiological contamination and the measures to be taken.
16.23 Measuring, weighing, recording, and control equipment and instruments should be serviced and calibrated at prespecified intervals and records maintained. To ensure satisfactory functioning, instruments should be checked daily or prior to use for performing analytical tests. The date of
calibration and servicing and the date when re-calibration is due should be clearly indicated on a label attached to the instrument.
16.24 Repair and maintenance operations should not present any hazard to the quality of the products.
WHO Good Manufacturing Practices For Pharmaceutical Products: Main Principles
(Annex 2, WHO Technical Report Series 986, 2014)
