Guidance for Industry 
 
Process Validation: General 
Principles and Practices 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Food and Drug Administration 
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) 
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) 
 Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) 
 
January 2011 
Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) 
Revision 1 
 
 
   
Guidance for Industry 
 
Process Validation: General 
Principles and Practices 
 
 
Additional copies are available from: 
 
Office of Communications 
Division of Drug Information, WO51, Room 2201 
10903 New Hampshire Ave. 
Silver Spring, MD 20993  
Phone: 301-796-3400; Fax: 301-847-8714 
druginfo@fda.hhs.gov  
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm 
and/or 
Office of Communication, Outreach and Development, HFM-40 
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research 
 Food and Drug Administration 
1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448  
(Tel) 800-835-4709 or 301-827-1800 
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm   
and/or 
Communications Staff, HFV-12 
Center for Veterinary Medicine 
Food and Drug Administration 
7519 Standish Place, 
Rockville, MD  20855 
(Tel) 240-276-9300 
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/GuidanceComplianceEnforcement/GuidanceforIndustry/default.htm 
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Food and Drug Administration 
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) 
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) 
Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) 
 
January 2011 
Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) 
Revision 1 
 
  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
I.  INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................1 
II.  BACKGROUND...............................................................................................................3 
A.  Process Validation and Drug Quality..........................................................................................3 
B.  Approach to Process Validation...................................................................................................4 
III.  STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROCESS 
VALIDATION...................................................................................................................5 
IV.  RECOMMENDATIONS..................................................................................................7 
A.  General Considerations for Process Validation..........................................................................7 
B.  Stage 1  Process Design..............................................................................................................8 
1. Building and Capturing Process Knowledge and Understanding...................................................8 
2. Establishing a Strategy for Process Control....................................................................................9 
C.  Stage 2  Process Qualification.................................................................................................10 
1. Design of a Facility and Qualification of Utilities and Equipment...............................................10 
2. Process Performance Qualification...............................................................................................11 
3. PPQ Protocol.................................................................................................................................12 
4. PPQ Protocol Execution and Report.............................................................................................13 
D.  Stage 3  Continued Process Verification................................................................................14 
V.  CONCURRENT RELEASE OF PPQ BATCHES......................................................16 
VI.  DOCUMENTATION......................................................................................................17 
VII.  ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY..............................................................................17 
GLOSSARY.................................................................................................................................18 
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................19 
  i 1
Guidance for Industry  
 
Process Validation: General Principles and Practices 
 
 
This guidance represents the Food and Drug Administrations (FDAs) current thinking on this topic.  It 
does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public.  
You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes 
and regulations.  If you want to discuss an alternative approach, contact the FDA staff responsible for 
implementing this guidance.  If you cannot identify the appropriate FDA staff, call the appropriate 
number listed on the title page of this guidance.  
 
 
 
 
I.  INTRODUCTION  
 
This guidance outlines the general principles and approaches that FDA considers appropriate 
elements of process validation for the manufacture of human and animal drug and biological 
products, including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs or drug substances), collectively 
referred to in this guidance as drugs or products.  This guidance incorporates principles and 
approaches that all manufacturers can use to validate manufacturing processes. 
 
This guidance aligns process validation activities with a product lifecycle concept and with 
existing FDA guidance, including the FDA/International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) 
guidances for industry, Q8(R2) Pharmaceutical Development, Q9 Quality Risk Management, and 
Q10 Pharmaceutical Quality System.2  Although this guidance does not repeat the concepts and 
principles explained in those guidances, FDA encourages the use of modern pharmaceutical 
development concepts, quality risk management, and quality systems at all stages of the 
manufacturing process lifecycle. 
 
                                                 
1 This guidance has been prepared by the Division of Manufacturing and Product Quality, Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research (CDER), in cooperation with CDERs Office of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Center for 
Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) and the Center for Veterinary 
Medicine (CVM) at the Food and Drug Administration.  
   
2 To make sure you have the most recent version of a guidance, check the CDER guidance page at 
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm, the CBER guidance 
page at 
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm, or 
the CVM guidance page at 
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/GuidanceComplianceEnforcement/GuidanceforIndustry/default.htm 
.     
  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
The lifecycle concept links product and process development, qualification of the commercial 
manufacturing process,3  and maintenance of the process in a state of control during routine 
commercial production.  This guidance supports process improvement and innovation through 
sound science.  
 
This guidance covers the following categories of drugs: 
  Human drugs  
  Veterinary drugs  
  Biological and biotechnology products 
  Finished products and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs or drug substances)4 
  The drug constituent of a combination (drug and medical device) product 
 
This guidance does not cover the following types of products: 
  Type A medicated articles and medicated feed 
  Medical devices5 
  Dietary supplements 
  Human tissues intended for transplantation regulated under section 361 of the Public Health 
Service Act6  
 
This guidance does not specify what information should be included as part of a regulatory submission.  
Interested persons can refer to the appropriate guidance or contact the appropriate Center in determining 
the type of information to include in a submission. 
   
This guidance also does not specifically discuss the validation of automated process control systems 
(i.e., computer hardware and software interfaces), which are commonly integrated into modern drug 
manufacturing equipment.  This guidance is relevant, however, to the validation of processes that 
include automated equipment in processing. 
 
                                                 
3 In this guidance, the term commercial manufacturing process refers to the manufacturing process resulting in 
commercial product (i.e., drug that is marketed, distributed, and sold or intended to be sold).  For the purposes of 
this guidance, the term commercial manufacturing process does not include clinical trial or treatment IND material.  
   
4 Separate current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations for drug components such as APIs (drug 
substances) and intermediates have not published as of the date of this guidance, but these components are subject to 
the  statutory CGMP requirements of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) 
(21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B)).  Process validation for APIs is discussed in the FDA/ICH guidance for industry, Q7 Good 
Manufacturing Practice Guidance for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (ICH Q7), available on the Internet at  
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm.  Section XII of ICH 
Q7 describes in detail the principles for validating API processes. 
 
5 Guidance on process validation for medical devices is provided in a separate document, Quality Management 
Systems  Process Validation, edition 2,   See infra note 6. 
 
6 See the FDA guidance for industry, Validation of Procedures for Processing of Human Tissues Intended for 
Transplantation, available on the Internet at 
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm.  
  2 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
FDAs guidance documents, including this guidance, do not establish legally enforceable 
responsibilities.  Instead, guidances describe the Agencys current thinking on a topic and should 
be viewed only as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are 
cited.  The use of the word should in Agency guidances means that something is suggested or 
recommended, but not required.  
 
II.  BACKGROUND 
 
In the Federal Register of May 11, 1987 (52 FR 17638), FDA issued a notice announcing the 
availability of a guidance entitled Guideline on General Principles of Process Validation (the 
1987 guidance).7  Since then, we have obtained additional experience through our regulatory 
oversight that allows us to update our recommendations to industry on this topic.  This revised 
guidance conveys FDAs current thinking on process validation and is consistent with basic 
principles first introduced in the 1987 guidance.  The revised guidance also provides 
recommendations that reflect some of the goals of FDAs initiative entitled Pharmaceutical 
CGMPs for the 21st Century  A Risk-Based Approach, particularly with regard to the use of 
technological advances in pharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as implementation of modern 
risk management and quality system tools and concepts.8  This revised guidance replaces the 
1987 guidance.  
 
FDA has the authority and responsibility to inspect and evaluate process validation performed by 
manufacturers.  The CGMP regulations for validating pharmaceutical (drug) manufacturing 
require that drug products be produced with a high degree of assurance of meeting all the 
attributes they are intended to possess (21 CFR 211.100(a) and 211.110(a)).   
 
A.  Process Validation and Drug Quality 
 
Effective process validation contributes significantly to assuring drug quality.  The basic 
principle of quality assurance is that a drug should be produced that is fit for its intended use.  
This principle incorporates the understanding that the following conditions exist: 
   
  Quality, safety, and efficacy are designed or built into the product. 
 
  Quality cannot be adequately assured merely by in-process and finished-product 
inspection or testing. 
                                                 
7 The 1987 guidance was prepared by a working group that included representation from the Center for Devices and 
Radiological Health (CDRH).  Since that time, CDRH elected to reference a process validation guidance prepared in 
cooperation with the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF).  The principles and recommendations in that 
document, Quality Management Systems  Process Validation, edition 2 (available on the Internet at 
http://www.ghtf.org/sg3/sg3-final.html) are also useful to consider for drug manufacturing processes.  
  
8 See Pharmaceutical cGMPS for the 21st Century  A Risk-Based Approach: Second Progress Report and 
Implementation Plan, available at 
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/Manufacturing/QuestionsandAnswersonCurrentGoodMan
ufacturingPracticescGMPforDrugs/ucm071836.htm. 
 
 
  3 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
  
  Each step of a manufacturing process is controlled to assure that the finished product 
meets all quality attributes including specifications. 
 
B.  Approach to Process Validation 
 
For purposes of this guidance, process validation is defined as the collection and evaluation of 
data, from the process design stage through commercial production, which establishes scientific 
evidence that a process is capable of consistently delivering quality product.  Process validation 
involves a series of activities taking place over the lifecycle of the product and process. This 
guidance describes process validation activities in three stages.  
 
  Stage 1  Process Design:  The commercial manufacturing process is defined during this 
stage based on knowledge gained through development and scale-up activities. 
 
  Stage 2  Process Qualification: During this stage, the process design is evaluated to 
determine if the process is capable of reproducible commercial manufacturing. 
 
  Stage 3  Continued Process Verification: Ongoing assurance is gained during routine 
production that the process remains in a state of control. 
 
This guidance describes activities typical of each stage, but in practice, some activities might 
occur in multiple stages. 
 
Before any batch from the process is commercially distributed for use by consumers, a 
manufacturer should have gained a high degree of assurance in the performance of the 
manufacturing process such that it will consistently produce APIs and drug products meeting 
those attributes relating to identity, strength, quality, purity, and potency.  The assurance should 
be obtained from objective information and data from laboratory-, pilot-, and/or commercial-
scale studies.  Information and data should demonstrate that the commercial manufacturing 
process is capable of consistently producing acceptable quality products within commercial 
manufacturing conditions.    
 
A successful validation program depends upon information and knowledge from product and 
process development.  This knowledge and understanding is the basis for establishing an 
approach to control of the manufacturing process that results in products with the desired quality 
attributes.   Manufacturers should: 
   
  Understand the sources of variation  
  Detect the presence and degree of variation  
  Understand the impact of variation on the process and ultimately on product attributes 
  Control the variation in a manner commensurate with the risk it represents to the process 
and product   
 
Each manufacturer should judge whether it has gained sufficient understanding to provide a high 
degree of assurance in its manufacturing process to justify commercial distribution of the 
  4 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
product.  Focusing exclusively on qualification efforts without also understanding the 
manufacturing process and associated variations may not lead to adequate assurance of quality.  
After establishing and confirming the process, manufacturers must maintain the process in a state 
of control over the life of the process, even as materials, equipment, production environment, 
personnel, and manufacturing procedures change.9   
 
Manufacturers should use ongoing programs to collect and analyze product and process data to 
evaluate the state of control of the process.  These programs may identify process or product 
problems or opportunities for process improvements that can be evaluated and implemented 
through some of the activities described in Stages 1 and 2. 
 
Manufacturers of legacy products can take advantage of the knowledge gained from the original 
process development and qualification work as well as manufacturing experience to continually 
improve their processes.  Implementation of the recommendations in this guidance for legacy 
products and processes would likely begin with the activities described in Stage 3.  
 
 
III.  STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROCESS 
VALIDATION 
 
Process validation for drugs (finished pharmaceuticals and components) is a legally enforceable 
requirement under section 501(a)(2)(B) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B)), which states the 
following: 
 
A drug . . . shall be deemed to be adulterated . . . if . . . the methods used in, or the 
facilities or controls used for, its manufacture, processing, packing, or holding do not 
conform to or are not operated or administered in conformity with current good 
manufacturing practice to assure that such drug meets the requirements of this Act as to 
safety and has the identity and strength, and meets the quality and purity characteristics, 
which it purports or is represented to possess. 
 
FDA regulations describing current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) for finished 
pharmaceuticals are provided in 21 CFR parts 210 and 211.   
 
The CGMP regulations require that manufacturing processes be designed and controlled to 
assure that in-process materials and the finished product meet predetermined quality 
requirements and do so consistently and reliably.  Process validation is required, in both general 
and specific terms, by the CGMP regulations in parts 210 and 211.  The foundation for process 
validation is provided in  211.100(a), which states that [t]here shall be written procedures for 
production and process control designed to assure that the drug products have the identity, 
strength, quality, and purity they purport or are represented to possess... (emphasis added).  This 
regulation requires manufacturers to design a process, including operations and controls, which 
results in a product meeting these attributes. 
                                                 
9 The statute and regulations described in section III of this guidance explain the requirement that the methods and 
facilities used for the manufacturing of drugs be operated and administered under control sufficient to assure that the 
identity, strength, purity, and quality of a drug are as they purport or are represented to possess. 
 
  5 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
 
Other CGMP regulations define the various aspects of validation.  For example,  211.110(a), 
Sampling and testing of in-process materials and drug products, requires that control procedures 
. . . be established to monitor the output and to validate the performance of those manufacturing 
processes that may be responsible for causing variability in the characteristics of in-process 
material and the drug product (emphasis added).  Under this regulation, even well-designed 
processes must include in-process control procedures to assure final product quality.  In addition, 
the CGMP regulations regarding sampling set forth a number of requirements for validation: 
samples must represent the batch under analysis ( 211.160(b)(3)); the sampling plan must result 
in statistical confidence ( 211.165(c) and (d)); and the batch must meet its predetermined 
specifications ( 211.165(a)).   
 
In addition to sampling requirements, the CGMP regulations also provide norms for establishing 
in-process specifications as an aspect of process validation.  Section 211.110(b) establishes two 
principles to follow when establishing in-process specifications.  The first principle is that . . . 
in-process specifications for such characteristics [of in-process material and the drug product] 
shall be consistent with drug product final specifications . . . .  Accordingly, in-process material 
should be controlled to assure that the final drug product will meet its quality requirements.  The 
second principle in this regulation further requires that in-process specifications . . . shall be 
derived from previous acceptable process average and process variability estimates where 
possible and determined by the application of suitable statistical procedures where appropriate.   
This requirement, in part, establishes the need for manufacturers to analyze process performance 
and control batch-to-batch variability.10 
 
The CGMP regulations also describe and define activities connected with process design, 
development, and maintenance.  Section 211.180(e) requires that information and data about 
product quality and manufacturing experience be periodically reviewed to determine whether 
any changes to the established process are warranted.  Ongoing feedback about product quality 
and process performance is an essential feature of process maintenance. 
 
In addition, the CGMP regulations require that facilities in which drugs are manufactured be of 
suitable size, construction, and location to facilitate proper operations ( 211.42).  Equipment 
must be of appropriate design, adequate size, and suitably located to facilitate operations for its 
intended use ( 211.63).  Automated, mechanical, and electronic equipment must be calibrated, 
inspected, or checked according to a written program designed to assure proper performance 
( 211.68). 
 
In summary, the CGMP regulations require that manufacturing processes be designed and 
controlled to assure that in-process materials and the finished product meet predetermined 
quality requirements and do so consistently and reliably.   
 
                                                 
10 The Agency further explains this principle in the preamble to the final rule on Current Good Manufacturing 
Practice in Manufacture, Processing, Packing, or Holding  (43 FR 45013 at 45052, September 29, 1978) (available 
on the Internet at http://www.fda.gov/cder/dmpq/preamble.txt). 
    
 
  6 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
 
IV.  RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
In the following sections, we describe general considerations for process validation, the 
recommended stages of process validation, and specific activities for each stage in the product 
lifecycle. 
 
A.  General Considerations for Process Validation 
 
In all stages of the product lifecycle, good project management and good archiving that capture 
scientific knowledge will make the process validation program more effective and efficient.  The 
following practices should ensure uniform collection and assessment of information about the 
process and enhance the accessibility of such information later in the product lifecycle. 
  We recommend an integrated team approach11 to process validation that includes 
expertise from a variety of disciplines (e.g., process engineering, industrial pharmacy, 
analytical chemistry, microbiology, statistics, manufacturing, and quality assurance).  
Project plans, along with the full support of senior management, are essential elements 
for success. 
  Throughout the product lifecycle, various studies can be initiated to discover, observe, 
correlate, or confirm information about the product and process.  All studies should be 
planned and conducted according to sound scientific principles, appropriately 
documented, and approved in accordance with the established procedure appropriate for 
the stage of the lifecycle. 
  The terms attribute(s) (e.g., quality, product, component) and parameter(s) (e.g., process, 
operating, and equipment) are not categorized with respect to criticality in this guidance.   
With a lifecycle approach to process validation that employs risk based decision making 
throughout that lifecycle, the perception of criticality as a continuum rather than a binary 
state is more useful. All attributes and parameters should be evaluated in terms of their 
roles in the process and impact on the product or in-process material, and reevaluated as 
new information becomes available.  The degree of control over those attributes or 
parameters should be commensurate with their risk to the process and process output.  In 
other words, a higher degree of control is appropriate for attributes or parameters that 
pose a higher risk.  The Agency recognizes that terminology usage can vary and expects 
that each manufacturer will communicate the meaning and intent of its terminology and 
categorization to the Agency.     
  Many products are single-source or involve complicated manufacturing processes.  
Homogeneity within a batch and consistency between batches are goals of process 
validation activities.  Validation offers assurance that a process is reasonably protected 
against sources of variability that could affect production output, cause supply problems, 
and negatively affect public health. 
   
                                                 
11 This concept is discussed in more detail in FDAs guidance for industry, Quality Systems Approach to 
Pharmaceutical Current Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations, available at  
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm. 
  7 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
B.  Stage 1  Process Design 
 
Process design is the activity of defining the commercial manufacturing process that will be 
reflected in planned master production and control records.  The goal of this stage is to design a 
process suitable for routine commercial manufacturing that can consistently deliver a product 
that meets its quality attributes.    
 
1.  Building and Capturing Process Knowledge and Understanding 
 
Generally, early process design experiments do not need to be performed under the CGMP 
conditions required for drugs intended for commercial distribution that are manufactured during 
Stage 2 (process qualification) and Stage 3 (continued process verification).  They should, 
however, be conducted in accordance with sound scientific methods and principles, including 
good documentation practices.  This recommendation is consistent with ICH Q10 
Pharmaceutical Quality System.12   Decisions and justification of the controls should be 
sufficiently documented and internally reviewed to verify and preserve their value for use or 
adaptation later in the lifecycle of the process and product.  
 
Although often performed at small-scale laboratories, most viral inactivation and impurity 
clearance studies cannot be considered early process design experiments.  Viral and impurity 
clearance studies intended to evaluate and estimate product quality at commercial scale should 
have a level of quality unit oversight that will ensure that the studies follow sound scientific 
methods and principles and the conclusions are supported by the data.   
  
Product development activities provide key inputs to the process design stage, such as the 
intended dosage form, the quality attributes, and a general manufacturing pathway.  Process 
information available from product development activities can be leveraged in the process design 
stage.  The functionality and limitations of commercial manufacturing equipment should be 
considered in the process design, as well as predicted contributions to variability posed by 
different component lots, production operators, environmental conditions, and measurement 
systems in the production setting.  However, the full spectrum of input variability typical of 
commercial production is not generally known at this stage.  Laboratory or pilot-scale models 
designed to be representative of the commercial process can be used to estimate variability.   
 
Designing an efficient process with an effective process control approach is dependent on the 
process knowledge and understanding obtained.  Design of Experiment (DOE) studies can help 
develop process knowledge by revealing relationships, including multivariate interactions, 
between the variable inputs (e.g., component characteristics 13 or process parameters) and the 
resulting outputs (e.g., in-process material, intermediates, or the final product).  Risk analysis 
tools can be used to screen potential variables for DOE studies to minimize the total number of 
experiments conducted while maximizing knowledge gained.  The results of DOE studies can 
provide justification for establishing ranges of incoming component quality, equipment 
                                                 
12 Available at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm. 
 
13 Component means any ingredient [raw material] intended for use in the manufacture of a drug product, including 
those that may not appear in such drug product ( 210.3(b)(3)). 
  8 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
parameters, and in-process material quality attributes.  FDA does not generally expect 
manufacturers to develop and test the process until it fails.   
 
Other activities, such as experiments or demonstrations at laboratory or pilot scale, also assist in 
evaluation of certain conditions and prediction of performance of the commercial process.  These 
activities also provide information that can be used to model or simulate the commercial process.  
Computer-based or virtual simulations of certain unit operations or dynamics can provide 
process understanding and help avoid problems at commercial scale.  It is important to 
understand the degree to which models represent the commercial process, including any 
differences that might exist, as this may have an impact on the relevance of information derived 
from the models.  
 
It is essential that activities and studies resulting in process understanding be documented.  
Documentation should reflect the basis for decisions made about the process.  For example, 
manufacturers should document the variables studied for a unit operation and the rationale for 
those variables identified as significant.  This information is useful during the process 
qualification and continued process verification stages, including when the design is revised or 
the strategy for control is refined or changed. 
 
2.  Establishing a Strategy for Process Control 
 
Process knowledge and understanding is the basis for establishing an approach to process control 
for each unit operation and the process overall.  Strategies for process control can be designed to 
reduce input variation, adjust for input variation during manufacturing (and so reduce its impact 
on the output), or combine both approaches.    
 
Process controls address variability to assure quality of the product.  Controls can consist of 
material analysis and equipment monitoring at significant processing points ( 211.110(c)).  
Decisions regarding the type and extent of process controls can be aided by earlier risk 
assessments, then enhanced and improved as process experience is gained.  
 
FDA expects controls to include both examination of material quality and equipment monitoring.  
Special attention to control the process through operational limits and in-process monitoring is 
essential in two possible scenarios: 
 
1.  When the product attribute is not readily measurable due to limitations of sampling or 
detectability (e.g., viral clearance or microbial contamination) or  
2.  When intermediates and products cannot be highly characterized and well-defined quality 
attributes cannot be identified.   
 
These controls are established in the master production and control records (see  211.186(a) and 
(b)(9)). 
 
More advanced strategies, which may involve the use of process analytical technology (PAT), 
can include timely analysis and control loops to adjust the processing conditions so that the 
output remains constant.  Manufacturing systems of this type can provide a higher degree of 
  9 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
process control than non-PAT systems.  In the case of a strategy using PAT, the approach to 
process qualification will differ from that used in other process designs.  Further information on 
PAT processes can be found in FDAs guidance for industry on PAT  A Framework for 
Innovative Pharmaceutical Development, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance.14 
  
The planned commercial production and control records, which contain the operational limits 
and overall strategy for process control, should be carried forward to the next stage for 
confirmation. 
 
C.  Stage 2  Process Qualification 
 
During the process qualification (PQ) stage of process validation, the process design is evaluated 
to determine if it is capable of reproducible commercial manufacture.  This stage has two 
elements: (1) design of the facility and qualification of the equipment and utilities and (2) 
process performance qualification (PPQ).  During Stage 2, CGMP-compliant procedures must be 
followed.  Successful completion of Stage 2 is necessary before commercial distribution.15  
Products manufactured during this stage, if acceptable, can be released for distribution. 
  
1.  Design of a Facility and Qualification of Utilities and Equipment 
 
Proper design of a manufacturing facility is required under part 211, subpart C, of the CGMP 
regulations on Buildings and Facilities.  It is essential that activities performed to assure proper 
facility design and commissioning precede PPQ.  Here, the term qualification refers to activities 
undertaken to demonstrate that utilities and equipment are suitable for their intended use and 
perform properly.  These activities necessarily precede manufacturing products at the 
commercial scale. 
 
Qualification of utilities and equipment generally includes the following activities: 
 
  Selecting utilities and equipment construction materials, operating principles, and 
performance characteristics based on whether they are appropriate for their specific uses. 
 
  Verifying that utility systems and equipment are built and installed in compliance with 
the design specifications (e.g., built as designed with proper materials, capacity, and 
functions, and properly connected and calibrated). 
 
  Verifying that utility systems and equipment operate in accordance with the process 
requirements in all anticipated operating ranges.  This should include challenging the 
equipment or system functions while under load comparable to that expected during 
                                                 
14  Available at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm.  
Other references that may be useful include ASTM E2474-06 Standard Practice for Pharmaceutical Process Design 
Utilizing Process Analytical Technology and ASTM E2476-09 Standard Guide for Risk Assessment and Risk 
Control as it Impacts the Design, Development, and Operation of PAT Processes for Pharmaceutical Manufacture. 
 
15 As discussed in section III of this guidance, process validation (including process qualification) is legally 
enforceable under section 501(a)(2)(B) of the Act.  FDA regulations require that process validation procedures be 
established and followed ( 211.100) before a batch can be distributed ( 211.22 and 211.165). 
  10 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
routine production.  It should also include the performance of interventions, stoppage, 
and start-up as is expected during routine production.  Operating ranges should be shown 
capable of being held as long as would be necessary during routine production. 
 
Qualification of utilities and equipment can be covered under individual plans or as part of an 
overall project plan.  The plan should consider the requirements of use and can incorporate risk 
management to prioritize certain activities and to identify a level of effort in both the 
performance and documentation of qualification activities.  The plan should identify the 
following items: 
1.  the studies or tests to use, 
2.  the criteria appropriate to assess outcomes,  
3.  the timing of qualification activities,  
4.  the responsibilities of relevant departments and the quality unit, and   
5.  the procedures for documenting and approving the qualification.    
The project plan should also include the firms requirements for the evaluation of changes.  
Qualification activities should be documented and summarized in a report with conclusions that 
address criteria in the plan.  The quality control unit must review and approve the qualification 
plan and report ( 211.22).  
 
2.  Process Performance Qualification 
 
The process performance qualification (PPQ) is the second element of Stage 2, process 
qualification.  The PPQ combines the actual facility, utilities, equipment (each now qualified), 
and the trained personnel with the commercial manufacturing process, control procedures, and 
components to produce commercial batches.  A successful PPQ will confirm the process design 
and demonstrate that the commercial manufacturing process performs as expected.   
 
Success at this stage signals an important milestone in the product lifecycle.  A manufacturer 
must successfully complete PPQ before commencing commercial distribution of the drug 
product.16  The decision to begin commercial distribution should be supported by data from 
commercial-scale batches.  Data from laboratory and pilot studies can provide additional 
assurance that the commercial manufacturing process performs as expected. 
 
The approach to PPQ should be based on sound science and the manufacturers overall level of 
product and process understanding and demonstrable control.  The cumulative data from all 
relevant studies (e.g., designed experiments; laboratory, pilot, and commercial batches) should 
be used to establish the manufacturing conditions in the PPQ.  To understand the commercial 
process sufficiently, the manufacturer will need to consider the effects of scale.   However, it is 
not typically necessary to explore the entire operating range at commercial scale if assurance can 
be provided by process design data.  Previous credible experience with sufficiently similar 
products and processes can also be helpful.  In addition, we strongly recommend firms employ 
                                                 
16 See section III of this guidance, Statutory and Regulatory Requirements for Process Validation. 
 
 
  11 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
objective measures (e.g., statistical metrics) wherever feasible and meaningful to achieve 
adequate assurance.  
 
In most cases, PPQ will have a higher level of sampling, additional testing, and greater scrutiny 
of process performance than would be typical of routine commercial production.  The level of 
monitoring and testing should be sufficient to confirm uniform product quality throughout the 
batch.  The increased level of scrutiny, testing, and sampling should continue through the process 
verification stage as appropriate, to establish levels and frequency of routine sampling and 
monitoring for the particular product and process.  Considerations for the duration of the 
heightened sampling and monitoring period could include, but are not limited to, volume of 
production, process complexity, level of process understanding, and experience with similar 
products and processes. 
 
The extent to which some materials, such as column resins or molecular filtration media, can be 
re-used without adversely affecting product quality can be assessed in relevant laboratory 
studies.  The usable lifetimes of such materials should be confirmed by an ongoing PPQ protocol 
during commercial manufacture. 
 
A manufacturing process that uses PAT may warrant a different PPQ approach.  PAT processes 
are designed to measure in real time the attributes of an in-process material and then adjust the 
process in a timely control loop so the process maintains the desired quality of the output 
material.  The process design stage and the process qualification stage should focus on the 
measurement system and control loop for the measured attribute.  Regardless, the goal of 
validating any manufacturing process is the same:  to establish scientific evidence that the 
process is reproducible and will consistently deliver quality products. 
 
3.  PPQ Protocol 
 
A written protocol that specifies the manufacturing conditions, controls, testing, and expected 
outcomes is essential for this stage of process validation.  We recommend that the protocol 
discuss the following elements:   
 
  The manufacturing conditions, including operating parameters, processing limits, and 
component (raw material) inputs. 
 
  The data to be collected and when and how it will be evaluated. 
 
  Tests to be performed (in-process, release, characterization) and acceptance criteria 
for each significant processing step. 
 
  The sampling plan, including sampling points, number of samples, and the frequency 
of sampling for each unit operation and attribute.  The number of samples should be 
adequate to provide sufficient statistical confidence of quality both within a batch and 
between batches.   The confidence level selected can be based on risk analysis as it 
relates to the particular attribute under examination.  Sampling during this stage 
should be more extensive than is typical during routine production. 
  12 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
 
  Criteria and process performance indicators that allow for a science- and risk-based 
decision about the ability of the process to consistently produce quality products.  The 
criteria should include: 
 
 A description of the statistical methods to be used in analyzing all collected data 
(e.g., statistical metrics defining both intra-batch and inter-batch variability). 
 
 Provision for addressing deviations from expected conditions and handling of 
nonconforming data.  Data should not be excluded from further consideration in 
terms of PPQ without a documented, science-based justification.17 
 
  Design of facilities and the qualification of utilities and equipment, personnel training 
and qualification, and verification of material sources (components and 
container/closures), if not previously accomplished. 
 
  Status of the validation of analytical methods used in measuring the process, in-
process materials, and the product. 
 
  Review and approval of the protocol by appropriate departments and the quality unit. 
 
4.  PPQ Protocol Execution and Report 
 
Execution of the PPQ protocol should not begin until the protocol has been reviewed and 
approved by all appropriate departments, including the quality unit.  Any departures from the 
protocol must be made according to established procedure or provisions in the protocol.  Such 
departures must be justified and approved by all appropriate departments and the quality unit 
before implementation ( 211.100). 
 
The commercial manufacturing process and routine procedures must be followed during PPQ 
protocol execution ( 211.100(b) and 211.110(a)).  The PPQ lots should be manufactured under 
normal conditions by the personnel routinely expected to perform each step of each unit 
operation in the process.  Normal operating conditions should include the utility systems (e.g., air 
handling and water purification), material, personnel, environment, and manufacturing 
procedures. 
 
A report documenting and assessing adherence to the written PPQ protocol should be prepared in 
a timely manner after the completion of the protocol.  This report should: 
 
  Discuss and cross-reference all aspects of the protocol. 
 
  Summarize data collected and analyze the data, as specified by the protocol. 
 
                                                 
17 For additional guidance regarding out-of-specification results, see FDAs Guidance for Industry, Investigating 
Out-of-Specification (OOS)Test Results for Pharmaceutical Production, available at 
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm070287.pdf. 
  13 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
  Evaluate any unexpected observations and additional data not specified in the 
protocol. 
 
  Summarize and discuss all manufacturing nonconformances such as deviations, 
aberrant test results, or other information that has bearing on the validity of the 
process. 
   
  Describe in sufficient detail any corrective actions or changes that should be made to 
existing procedures and controls. 
 
  State a clear conclusion as to whether the data indicates the process met the 
conditions established in the protocol and whether the process is considered to be in a 
state of control.  If not, the report should state what should be accomplished before 
such a conclusion can be reached.  This conclusion should be based on a documented 
justification for the approval of the process, and release of lots produced by it to the 
market in consideration of the entire compilation of knowledge and information 
gained from the design stage through the process qualification stage. 
 
  Include all appropriate department and quality unit review and approvals. 
 
D.  Stage 3  Continued Process Verification 
 
The goal of the third validation stage is continual assurance that the process remains in a state of 
control (the validated state) during commercial manufacture.  A system or systems for detecting 
unplanned departures from the process as designed is essential to accomplish this goal.   
Adherence to the CGMP requirements, specifically, the collection and evaluation of information 
and data about the performance of the process, will allow detection of undesired process 
variability.  Evaluating the performance of the process identifies problems and determines 
whether action must be taken to correct, anticipate, and prevent problems so that the process 
remains in control ( 211.180(e)). 
 
An ongoing program to collect and analyze product and process data that relate to product 
quality must be established ( 211.180(e)).  The data collected should include relevant process 
trends and quality of incoming materials or components, in-process material, and finished 
products.  The data should be statistically trended and reviewed by trained personnel.  The 
information collected should verify that the quality attributes are being appropriately controlled 
throughout the process. 
 
We recommend that a statistician or person with adequate training in statistical process control 
techniques develop the data collection plan and statistical methods and procedures used in 
measuring and evaluating process stability and process capability.18  Procedures should describe 
                                                 
18 Some references that may be useful include the following: ASTM E2281-03 Standard Practice for Process and 
Measurement Capability Indices, ASTM E2500-07 Standard Guide for Specification, Design, and Verification of 
Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Systems and Equipment, and ASTM E2709-09 Standard 
Practice for Demonstrating Capability to Comply with a Lot Acceptance Procedure.   This is not a complete list of 
all useful references on this topic.  Many industry standards, books, and guides on these topics are available. 
  14 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
how trending and calculations are to be performed and should guard against overreaction to 
individual events as well as against failure to detect unintended process variability.  Production 
data should be collected to evaluate process stability and capability.  The quality unit should 
review this information.  If properly carried out, these efforts can identify variability in the 
process and/or signal potential process improvements. 
 
Good process design and development should anticipate significant sources of variability and 
establish appropriate detection, control, and/or mitigation strategies, as well as appropriate alert 
and action limits.  However, a process is likely to encounter sources of variation that were not 
previously detected or to which the process was not previously exposed.  Many tools and 
techniques, some statistical and others more qualitative, can be used to detect variation, 
characterize it, and determine the root cause.  We recommend that the manufacturer use 
quantitative, statistical methods whenever appropriate and feasible.  Scrutiny of intra-batch as 
well as inter-batch variation is part of a comprehensive continued process verification program 
under  211.180(e).  
 
We recommend continued monitoring and sampling of process parameters and quality attributes 
at the level established during the process qualification stage until sufficient data are available to 
generate significant variability estimates.  These estimates can provide the basis for establishing 
levels and frequency of routine sampling and monitoring for the particular product and process.  
Monitoring can then be adjusted to a statistically appropriate and representative level.  Process 
variability should be periodically assessed and monitoring adjusted accordingly.    
   
Variation can also be detected by the timely assessment of defect complaints, out-of-
specification findings, process deviation reports, process yield variations, batch records, 
incoming raw material records, and adverse event reports.  Production line operators and quality 
unit staff should be encouraged to provide feedback on process performance.  We recommend 
that the quality unit meet periodically with production staff to evaluate data, discuss possible 
trends or undesirable process variation, and coordinate any correction or follow-up actions by 
production.   
 
Data gathered during this stage might suggest ways to improve and/or optimize the process by 
altering some aspect of the process or product, such as the operating conditions (ranges and set-
points), process controls, component, or in-process material characteristics.  A description of the 
planned change, a well-justified rationale for the change, an implementation plan, and quality 
unit approval before implementation must be documented ( 211.100).  Depending on how the 
proposed change might affect product quality, additional process design and process 
qualification activities could be warranted.19   
 
Maintenance of the facility, utilities, and equipment is another important aspect of ensuring that a 
process remains in control.  Once established, qualification status must be maintained through 
routine monitoring, maintenance, and calibration procedures and schedules (21 CFR part 211, 
                                                                                                                                                             
 
19  Certain manufacturing changes may call for formal notification to the Agency before implementation, as directed 
by existing regulations (see, e.g., 21 CFR 314.70 and 601.12).  
 
  15 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
subparts C and D).  The equipment and facility qualification data should be assessed periodically 
to determine whether re-qualification should be performed and the extent of that re-qualification.  
Maintenance and calibration frequency should be adjusted based on feedback from these 
activities. 
 
 
V.  CONCURRENT RELEASE OF PPQ BATCHES 
 
In most cases, the PPQ study needs to be completed successfully and a high degree of assurance 
in the process achieved before commercial distribution of a product.  In special situations, the 
PPQ protocol can be designed to release a PPQ batch for distribution before complete execution 
of the protocol steps and activities, i.e., concurrent release.  FDA expects that concurrent release 
will be used rarely.   
 
Concurrent release might be appropriate for processes used infrequently for various reasons, 
such as to manufacture drugs for which there is limited demand (e.g., orphan drugs, minor use 
and minor species veterinary drugs) or which have short half lives (e.g., radiopharmaceuticals, 
including positron emission tomography drugs).  Concurrent release might also be appropriate 
for drugs that are medically necessary and are being manufactured in coordination with the 
Agency to alleviate a short supply. 
 
Conclusions about a commercial manufacturing process can only be made after the PPQ protocol 
is fully executed and the data are fully evaluated.  If Stage 2 qualification is not successful (i.e., 
does not demonstrate that the process as designed is capable of reproducible performance at 
commercial scale), then additional design studies and qualification may be necessary.  The new 
product and process understanding obtained from the unsuccessful qualification study(ies) can 
have negative implications if any lot was already distributed.  Full execution of Stages 1 and 2 of 
process validation is intended to preclude or minimize that outcome.   
 
Circumstances and rationale for concurrent release should be fully described in the PPQ 
protocol.  Even when process performance assessment based on the PPQ protocol is still 
outstanding, any lot released concurrently must comply with all CGMPs, regulatory approval 
requirements, and PPQ protocol lot release criteria.  Lot release under a PPQ protocol is based 
upon meeting confidence levels appropriate for each quality attribute of the drug.      
 
When warranted and used, concurrent release should be accompanied by a system for careful 
oversight of the distributed batch to facilitate rapid customer feedback.  For example, customer 
complaints and defect reports should be rapidly assessed to determine root cause and whether the 
process should be improved or changed.  Concurrently released lots must also be assessed in 
light of any negative PPQ study finding or conclusions and appropriate corrective action must be 
taken ( 211.100(a), 211.180(e), and 211.192).  We recommend that each batch in a concurrent 
release program be evaluated for inclusion in the stability program.  It is important that stability 
test data be promptly evaluated to ensure rapid detection and correction of any problems. 
 
 
  16 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
VI.  DOCUMENTATION 
 
Documentation at each stage of the process validation lifecycle is essential for effective 
communication in complex, lengthy, and multidisciplinary projects.  Documentation is important 
so that knowledge gained about a product and process is accessible and comprehensible to others 
involved in each stage of the lifecycle.   Information transparency and accessibility are 
fundamental tenets of the scientific method.  They are also essential to enabling organizational 
units responsible and accountable for the process to make informed, science-based decisions that 
ultimately support the release of a product to commerce. 
 
The degree and type of documentation required by CGMP vary during the validation lifecycle.  
Documentation requirements are greatest during Stage 2, process qualification, and Stage 3, 
continued process verification.   Studies during these stages must conform to CGMPs and must 
be approved by the quality unit in accordance with the regulations (see  211.22 and 211.100).  
Viral and impurity clearance studies, even when performed at small scale, also require quality 
unit oversight. 
 
CGMP documents for commercial manufacturing (i.e., the initial commercial master batch 
production and control record ( 211.186) and supporting procedures) are key outputs of Stage 1, 
process design.  We recommend that firms diagram the process flow for the full-scale process.   
Process flow diagrams should describe each unit operation, its placement in the overall process, 
monitoring and control points, and the component, as well as other processing material inputs 
(e.g., processing aids) and expected outputs (i.e., in-process materials and finished product).  It is 
also useful to generate and preserve process flow diagrams of the various scales as the process 
design progresses to facilitate comparison and decision making about their comparability. 
 
 
VII.  ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY 
 
Process knowledge depends on accurate and precise measuring techniques used to test and 
examine the quality of drug components, in-process materials, and finished products.  Validated 
analytical methods are not necessarily required during product- and process-development 
activities or when used in characterization studies.  Nevertheless, analytical methods should be 
scientifically sound (e.g., specific, sensitive, and accurate) and provide results that are reliable. 
There should be assurance of proper equipment function for laboratory experiments.  Procedures 
for analytical method and equipment maintenance, documentation practices, and calibration 
practices supporting process-development efforts should be documented or described.  New 
analytical technology and modifications to existing technology are continually being developed 
and can be used to characterize the process or the product.  Use of these methods is particularly 
appropriate when they reduce risk by providing greater understanding or control of product 
quality. However, analytical methods supporting commercial batch release must follow CGMPs 
in parts 210 and 211.  Clinical supply production should follow the CGMPs appropriate for the 
particular phase of clinical studies.  
 
  17 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
GLOSSARY 
 
Capability of a process:  Ability of a process to produce a product that will fulfill the 
requirements of that product. The concept of process capability can also be defined in statistical 
terms. (ISO 9000:2005) 
 
Commercial manufacturing process:  The manufacturing process resulting in commercial 
product (i.e., drug that is marketed, distributed, and sold or intended to be sold).  For the 
purposes of this guidance, the term commercial manufacturing process does not include clinical 
trial or treatment IND material. 
 
Concurrent release:  Releasing for distribution a lot of finished product, manufactured 
following a qualification protocol, that meets the lot release criteria established in the protocol, 
but before the entire study protocol has been executed. 
 
Continued process verification:  Assuring that during routine production the process remains in 
a state of control. 
 
Performance indicators:  Measurable values used to quantify quality objectives to reflect the 
performance of an organization, process or system, also known as performance metrics in some 
regions. (ICH Q10) 
 
Process design:  Defining the commercial manufacturing process based on knowledge gained 
through development and scale-up activities. 
 
Process qualification:  Confirming that the manufacturing process as designed is capable of 
reproducible commercial manufacturing. 
 
Process validation:  The collection and evaluation of data, from the process design stage 
through commercial production, which establishes scientific evidence that a process is capable of 
consistently delivering quality products.   
 
Quality:  The degree to which a set of inherent properties of a product, system, or process fulfils 
requirements. (ICH Q9) 
 
State of control:  A condition in which the set of controls consistently provides assurance of 
continued process performance and product quality. (ICH Q10) 
 
 
 
  18 Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
REFERENCES 
 
FDA, (CBER), Validation of Procedures for Processing of Human Tissues Intended for 
Transplantation, guidance for industry, May 2002.  
 
FDA, (CDER), Investigating Out-of-Specification (OOS) Test Results for Pharmaceutical 
Production, guidance for industry, October 2006. 
 
FDA, (CDER, CVM, and ORA), PAT  A Framework for Innovative Pharmaceutical 
Development, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance, guidance for industry, September 
2004. 
 
FDA, (CDER, CBER, CVM, and ORA), Quality Systems Approach to Pharmaceutical Current 
Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations, guidance for industry, September 2006. 
 
FDA/Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF; medical devices), Quality Management Systems 
 Process Validation, edition 2, guidance, January 2004.  
 
FDA/ICH, (CDER and CBER), Q7 Good Manufacturing Practice for Active Pharmaceutical 
Ingredients, guidance for industry, August 2001. 
 
FDA/ICH, (CDER and CBER), Q8(R2) Pharmaceutical Development, guidance for industry, 
November 2009. 
 
FDA/ICH, (CDER and CBER), Q9 Quality Risk Management, guidance for industry, June 2006. 
 
FDA/ICH (CDER and CBER) Q10 Pharmaceutical Quality System, guidance for industry, April 
2009.  
 
ASTM E2474-06 Standard Practice for Pharmaceutical Process Design Utilizing Process 
Analytical Technology.  
 
ASTM E2476-09 Standard Guide for Risk Assessment and Risk Control as it Impacts the 
Design, Development, and Operation of PAT Processes for Pharmaceutical Manufacture. 
 
ASTM E2281-03 Standard Practice for Process and Measurement Capability Indices.   
 
ASTM E2500-07 Standard Guide for Specification, Design, and Verification of Pharmaceutical 
and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Systems and Equipment.  
 
ASTM E2709-10 Standard Practice for Demonstrating Capability to Comply with a Lot 
Acceptance Procedure. 
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