Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

EMA: Q&A on Nitrosamines Updated October

The European Medicines Agency EMA has further updated its Q&A on nitrosamine impurities. The document is intended to support marketing authorization holders of human medicinal products and considers the latest regulatory requirements (we reported).

The latest version of 21 September 2021 includes an update of

  • Question 10 “Which limits apply for nitrosamines in medicinal products?”
    N-nitroso-varenicline, NNV, was added to the table of specific nitrosamines with a limit of 37.0 ng/day.

This value was derived using structure-activity-relationship (SAR) /read-across approach using the TD50 of N-nitroso-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine as point of departure.

The Step 2-template for responses to the EMA to confirm that a nitrosamine has been detected was updated, as well. It provides two options for alternative indication of limit values of newer nitrosamines not considered in the "Assessment report" (according to Article 5(3) of Regulation EC 726/2004) of the CHMP of June 2020:

  1. General class specific TTC (18 ng/day) in line with CHMP article 5(3) Q&A is being applied
  2. Substance specific AI limit (including SAR considerations) is being applied

All documents can be accessed via the EMA website on nitrosamine impurities.


Source:

EMA: Nitrosamine impurities

 

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:

PIC/S: Jordan FDA Joins PIC/S

PIC/S: Jordan FDA Joins PIC/S

On 1 January 2026, the Jordan Food & Drug Administration (JFDA) became the 57th PIC/S Participating Authority.

Read more
Swissmedic: Scientific GMDP Meetings

Swissmedic: Scientific GMDP Meetings

Swissmedic offers companies holding or seeking a Swissmedic manufacturing or distribution license the opportunity to discuss project-specific GMP and GDP topics in Scientific GMDP Meetings.

Read more
Purified Water – The new Chinese Pharmacopoeias and What Happens Next? NEU

Purified Water – The new Chinese Pharmacopoeias and What Happens Next? NEU

A new Chinese Pharmacopoeia was published in 2025. This has some significant implications for the pharmaceutical water industry, which we will discuss in more detail in this article. Firstly, it is important to note that cold WFI systems are now permitted worldwide and can be used across the board.
Read more
What are the requirements for gas distribution systems?

What are the requirements for gas distribution systems?

You can view the answer here:
Read more
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
Previous
Next