Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

EMA: MRA partners may participate in JAP audits as co-auditors

As of July 2020 the EMA (European Medicines Agency) has amended the European "Joint Audit Programme, JAP". These adaptations enable regulatory authorities from third countries with an existing EU-MRA (Mutual Recognition Agreement) to participate as co-auditors in JAP audits of EEA GMP inspectorates.

The background:
The JAP, as a joint European audit programme, covers all GMP inspectorates of the EEA in the field of human and/or veterinary medicinal products including active substances. It is an essential part of the GMP inspectorates quality assurance system referred to in Directive 2003/94/EC and adopted as part of the Compilation of Union Procedures on Inspections and Exchange of Information.
Based on this harmonisation of inspection standards within the EU, foreign regulators put their trust  into European GMP compliance systems. By giving EMA's overseas partners a more active role in the JAP audits, confidence in European inspection standards should now be further strengthened.

What is new?
EU MRA partners can be invited to participate in certain "re-audits" if they wished. However, this is limited to the role of an observer or co-auditor. The role of the lead auditor remains in European hands. In order to participate, MRA partners must sign a confidentiality agreement and fill in a declaration of interest and a curriculum vitae. During the audit, MRA partners may raise concerns, but are not allowed to intervene further in the decision of the original audit team.


Source:

EMA: Joint Audit Programme

EMA: Joint Audit Programme: Procedure

Meet the GMP Compliance Adviser

The GMP Compliance Adviser is the world's largest knowledge portal for quality management in the pharma business. 

The demo access is non-binding and ends automatically.

Test it now for free

You may also be Interested in the Following Articles:

What are the quality requirements for pharmaceutical gases?

What are the quality requirements for pharmaceutical gases?

You can view the answer here:
Read more
EMA: Update on the Guideline “Stability Testing for Variations”

EMA: Update on the Guideline “Stability Testing for Variations”

The EMA has updated the guideline on stability testing for variations (Revision 3, applicable from 15 January 2026).
Read more
EU: Proposal for Simplification of Medical Device Rules

EU: Proposal for Simplification of Medical Device Rules

The European Commission has proposed targeted reforms to simplify the Medical Device Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/745, MDR) and the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/746, IVDR) and to address structural implementation challenges.
Read more
EU: Proposal for a European Biotech Act

EU: Proposal for a European Biotech Act

The European Commission has presented a proposal for a European Biotech Act aimed at strengthening Europe’s biotechnology potential and accelerating the translation of innovation from the laboratory to the market.

Read more
EMA: Concept Paper for the Revision of Annex 3 on Radiopharmaceuticals

EMA: Concept Paper for the Revision of Annex 3 on Radiopharmaceuticals

The EMA has published a concept paper outlining a future revision of Annex 3 (Manufacture of Radiopharmaceuticals) of the EU GMP Guidelines. The paper was developed in collaboration with PIC/S and adopted by the GMDP Inspectors Working Group (IWG) at its November meeting.

Read more
EMA: Q&A on QP Certification Without Physical EU Import

EMA: Q&A on QP Certification Without Physical EU Import

The EMA has published a new Q&A addressing QP certification for batches that are neither manufactured within the EU/EEA nor intended for the EU/EEA market, and that are not physically imported into the EU/EEA.

Read more
Previous
Next