Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

EU GMP Annex 1: Second Draft on Sterile Manufacture

A first targeted consultation to the Annex 1 of the EU GMP Guide allowed about 140 companies and organizations to comment. The drafting group processed more than 6200 lines of comments. These have now been taken into account in the preparation of a second draft.

Due to the widespread interest from industry and because of substantial modifications introduced in several sections, it was agreed to engage with stakeholders a second targeted consultation on the updated draft guidance focusing on the sections and/or significantly modified paragraphs. In parallel, the document will also be submitted to PIC/S and WHO.


52 pages divided into 11 sections - the second draft has grown in volume by additional two pages. The new title Annex 1: Manufacture of Sterile Products (formerly Manufacture of Sterile Medicinal Products) clarifies the extended scope of application also for active substances, sterile excipients, primary packaging materials and finished dosage forms, packed sizes from single to multiple units, processes (from highly automated systems to manual processes) and technologies such as biotechnology, classical manufacturing of small molecules and closed systems.


The application of the principles of quality risk management (QRM) are further emphasized. QRM applies to this document in its entirety and is not dealt with in a single section only. In the case of specific information such as limit values, these should be regarded as minimum requirements. Microbial, particulate and pyrogen contamination in the finished product should be prevented this way. For this purpose, the use of appropriate technologies such as Restricted Access Barriers Systems (RABS), isolators, robotic systems, rapid microbial testing and monitoring systems are mentioned.


In the area of quality assurance, all critical control points must be defined and the effectiveness of all controls (design, procedures, technical and organisational measures) and monitoring measures must be evaluated.  The CCS (Contamination Control Strategy) should be continuously updated with the aim of continuously improving the manufacturing and control methods over the entire life cycle of the product. Non-conformities should be comprehensively analysed.


We will shortly compile more detailed information on the second draft of Appendix 1 which will be published in our weekly newsletter LOGFILE.


Source:

EC: Medicinal Products

EC: Annex 1: Manufacture of Sterile Products

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 Types of Impurities may be Present in Active Substances?

What Types of Impurities may be Present in Active Substances?


Read more
There’s Something in the Air – Cleanroom Technology in the Pharmaceutical Industry

There’s Something in the Air – Cleanroom Technology in the Pharmaceutical Industry

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, clean air is not a subjective perception but a precisely controlled technical condition that is essential for product safety. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems ensure, through airflow management, air filtration and pressure control, that particles and microorganisms are kept away from critical areas. This is based on clearly defined requirements for air changes, cleanliness classes, airflow patterns and pressure concepts, all of which are designed according to the manufacturing process and contamination risk involved.
Read more
EU: Analysis Supporting the Proposed Biotech Act

EU: Analysis Supporting the Proposed Biotech Act

The European Commission has published the analysis underpinning the proposed Biotech Act. The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors and to accelerate the development, production and market uptake of biotechnology-based innovations.
Read more
EFPIA: Results of the Member Survey 2025 on GMP and GDP Inspections

EFPIA: Results of the Member Survey 2025 on GMP and GDP Inspections

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has published the results of its “Annual Regulatory GMP/GDP Inspection Survey 2025”. The data suggest that international GMP inspections are increasingly being replaced by reliance and work-sharing approaches between inspectorates.
Read more
What are the Core Tasks of Human Resource Management?

What are the Core Tasks of Human Resource Management?

Here's the answer:
Read more
European GMP Regulations: Ongoing Changes and What Lies Ahead

European GMP Regulations: Ongoing Changes and What Lies Ahead

At the 2026 ISPE European Annual Conference in Copenhagen, Brendan Cuddy (EMA) provided a concise update on current European GMP regulatory developments and the work of the GMP/GDP Inspectors Working Group (GMDP IWG).
Read more
Previous
Next