Quality Risk Management for Commissioning and Qualification

Engineering is the backbone of successful design, installation, and maintenance of manufacturing. Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) in pharmaceutical and medical device industries define a detailed and science-based process for the specification, design, and verification of new equipment or systems into a production pipeline. CQV engineers are necessary to launch a new or significantly modified project, as well as discrete instances of equipment qualification through installation qualification, operational qualification, and performance qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ). In a large, highly-regulated industry operation, CQV can be a daunting task. The FDA has shifted its focus to emphasize risk-based approaches to meet regulatory standards. PSC Biotech® CQV engineers with over 20 years of experience have put together this series of blogs to prioritize risk management in CQV operations.

CQV: Where to Start

In this article, we focus on an overall CQV instance involving the launch of a new or significantly modified product rather than focusing on a discrete instance of equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ). We outline the chief regulatory guidelines in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries and the assessments you need at hand to develop the Validation Master Plan. 

Risk Assessment Methods – One Size Does Not Fit All

Risk assessment is a crucial competency for modern pharmaceutical and biomedical manufacturing organizations. The objective of any risk assessment is to identify, analyze and evaluate potential risk. The ICH Q9 “Quality Risk Management” guideline defines the risk assessment principle as, “The evaluation of the risk to quality should be based on scientific knowledge and ultimately linked to the protection of the patient”. This PSC Biotech® post lists the standard formal risk assessment methods and their appropriate use. 

C&Q in Process Validation – Where Does It Fit In?

The FDA 2011 Guidance for Industry – Process Validation: General Principles and Practices established a three-stage “lifecycle” approach to achieving and maintaining a validated state. Specification, design, delivery, and installation are part of the lifecycle, as is verification, or Commissioning and Qualification (C&Q). What is the order of CQV that you need to follow? This blog discusses where C&Q fits into the validation lifecycle and what that means for quality risk management.

PSC Biotech® provides engineering support and CQV services. 

PSC Biotech® is one of the largest providers for Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation services for the life science industry, with emphasis on Quality Risk Management. Our team consists of seasoned experts in the validation of facilities, utilities, equipment, computer systems, processes, cleaning, and test methods. We provide end to end solutions with expertise in Project Planning, CQV Master Planning, Requirement Specifications, Risk Assessments, Commissioning, Decommissioning, FATs, SATs, Installation Qualifications, Operational Qualifications, Performance Qualifications, Summary Reports, Traceability Matrixes, Calibration, Temperature/Humidity Mapping Services and more.

We look forward to hearing about your needs in Quality Risk Management and whether we can be of service. Please get started by emailing us at info@biotech.com or using our contact form online.