ICH Q1F: Explanatory Note on the Withdrawal of ICH Q1F for the ICH Website

ICH Q1 F Stability Data Package for Registration Applications in Climatic Zones III and IV defined storage conditions for stability testing in countries located in Climatic Zones III (hot and dry) and IV (hot and humid), i.e. countries not located in the ICH regions and not covered by ICH Q1 A (R2) Stability Testing for New Drug Substances and Drug Products. ICH Q1 F described harmonised global stability testing requirements in order to facilitate access to medicines by reducing the number of different storage conditions. In the course of the discussions which led to the development of the guideline, WHO conducted a survey amongst their member states to find consensus on 30°C/65% RH as the long-term storage conditions for hot and humid regions. As no significant objections were raised in this survey, 30°C/65% RH was defined as the long-term storage condition for Climatic Zone III/IV countries in ICH Q1F. The document was adopted by the ICH Steering Committee in February 2003 and subsequently implemented in the ICH regions.

However, based on new calculations and discussions, some countries in Climatic Zone IV have expressed their wish to include a larger safety margin for medicinal products to be marketed in their region than foreseen in ICH Q1F. As a consequence, several countries and regions have revised their own stability testing guidelines, defining up to 30°C/75 % RH as the long-term storage conditions for hot and humid regions. Due to this divergence in global stability testing requirements, the ICH Steering Committee has decided to withdraw ICH Q1F and to leave definition of storage conditions in Climatic Zones III and IV to the respective regions and WHO.

In assessing the impact of the withdrawal of ICH Q1F on intermediate testing conditions defined in ICH Q1A (R2), the decision was reached to retain 30°C/65%RH. However, regulatory authorities in the ICH regions have agreed that the use of more stringent humidity conditions such as 30°C/75% RH will be acceptable should the applicant decide to use them. 

ICH Q1F: Explanatory Note on the Withdrawal of ICH Q1F for the ICH Website