Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

ICH: Q3D(R2) for elemental impurities reaches Step 2

The draft for the ICH Q3D(R2) Guideline for Elemental Impurities has reached Step 2 on September 25, 2020 and thus the consultation phase. The draft guideline includes, amongst others, corrected PDE values for gold, silver and nickel and a new appendix for impurities that are applied cutaneously or transcutaneously.  

What is regulated by the guideline?  

The ICH Q3D guideline is intended to control elemental impurities and establishes PDE (Permitted Daily Exposure) values for 24 elements. These apply to medicinal products that can be ingested orally, parenterally and via inhalation.  

What is new?  

In revision Q3D(R2), the newly added Appendix 5 also defines limits for impurities in medicinal products that are absorbed cutaneously or transdermally. A basic approach based on a modifying factor (Cutaneous PDE) is presented.  

The PDE values for the following elements in Appendix 2 have been corrected:  

  • Gold (Au): The oral and parenteral PDE was increased from 100 µg/day to 300 µg/day and from 1 µg/day to 3 µg/day for inhalation. 
  • Silver (Ag): The parenteral PDE was increased from 10 to 15 µg/day.  
  • Nickel (Ni): The PDE for inhalation has been increased from 5 µg/day to 6 µg/day.  

This also results in new values for the permitted concentration in µg/g for the respective elements. They are to be used when the content of elemental impurities in medicinal products does not exceed the daily dose of 10 grams per day.  

Furthermore, the monographs for gold and silver in Appendix 3 have been adjusted.  

The draft document is now available for public consultation. The ICH has focused on extracts of the passages that have been revised:

  • Part 1 – Appendix 2 extract : Correction of PDEs for gold, silver and nickel  
  • Part 2 – Appendix 3 extract: Correction of gold monograph  
  • Part 3 – Appendix 3 extract: Correction of silver monograph 
  • Part 4 – new Annex 5 for risk assessment of preparations applied cutaneously and transcutaneuosly 

All proposed changes are marked in red letters.  

The ICH has prepared a summarizing presentation for all changes, which provides a good overview. 


Source: 

ICH: ICH Guideline For Elemental Impurities Q3d(R2) Draft Version 

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