THE SHORTEST WAY
FROM ENGINEERING TO QUALIFICATION.

What do you think are the biggest challenges in the operation of the new Annex 1?
Arvid D.:
The hygiene requirements have been changed from < 1 KBE to “no growth” (≙ 0 KBE). This means in practice that sterile filling can be performed only in a fully automated system. There is no human element anymore.

What effect does that have on planning systems in industry?
Arvid D.:
RABS and insulators used to be a precautionary measure. Now the situation has switched. Operators have to justify not using RABS and insulators and ensure that new systems operate fully automatically.

Who is affected by the changes?
Arvid D.:
So far, Annex 1 has been limited to parenterals. The new one is expanded to agents, sterile auxiliaries, primary packaging, biopharmaceutical products, and non-sterile products such as creams, ointments, etc.

Brief notes and information about visual inspection

GMP regulations
The new version has been active since 22/8/2022. There are four sections on visual inspection, and the deadline for implementation is 25 August 2023!

General Annex 1 fundamentals for visual inspection:

• 100% inspection
• Catalogue and classification of defects
• Risk analysis for the defect pattern
• Assessment and CAPA for each “critical” defect
• There must be suitable, controlled conditions for lighting and background

Annex 1 personnel fundamentals in visual inspection:

• Personnel must be qualified regularly – at least once per year
• Test sets from the defect library
• Bracketing
• Eye test
• Qualification in the worst-case scenario (speed, container, end of shift)
• Reduction of distractions and establishment of inspection duration and breaks – employees should display no signs of fatigue at end of shift

Annex 1 system fundamentals:

• Validation of automatic systems
• Validation must be performed with defect patterns
• System must be better than manual control
• Knapp test set
• Function check (dummies) at the start of a batch
• Routine for NOK

Summary of a qualification process by an organization such as Pitzek GMP Consulting:

FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING

• Training kits
• Defect assessment lists
• Photo documentation
• On-the-job training

QUALIFICATION

• Assessment by means of test

RE-QUALIFICATION

• Assessment with test or AQL analysis

EYE TEST

• Generally before personnel are hired
• Recurring (at least once per year)

Questions? Contact:

arvid.duchardt@pitzek-consulting.de
Mobil: +49 151 511 192 24