Does the FDA issue its approvals for systems or devices and therefore also issue approvals for measuring devices? Find out more in the following blog post. There are always uncertainties with this particular topic, which explains why I?d prefer to shed more light on the question in this blog post.
What is the FDA?
The FDA (?Food and Drug Administration?) is a US authority under the Department of Health. It really is responsible for the tabs on foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals and serves to protect public health in the United States.
When should FDA requirements be considered?
The FDA?s control includes both US-made and imported products. Because of this, regular audits are carried out at overseas pharmaceutical manufacturers. US-approved drugs may only be made by FDA-inspected manufacturers whose facilities comply with FDA regulations.
How are plants and equipment assessed for FDA requirements?
The FDA does not grant approval for measuring instruments. The assessment is carried out relative to general GMP requirements (?good manufacturing practice?). These must already be taken into account in the planning of the plant as must also the selection of suitable measuring instruments:
Liquids which could find their way into the end product in case of a failure must be FDA-compliant. These can, for example, be transmission fluids or fill fluids.
Seals that are in contact with the measuring medium must be manufactured from FDA-compliant material. As proof, a material certificate for the seal must be available.
Process connections should ideally have 3-A approval to make certain the connections are suitable for sanitary applications. Instruments with 3-A marking have been shown to meet the specifications for radii and surface roughness (Ra < 0.8 ?m).
Confess which are in connection with the media should have a 3.1 material test certificate relative to DIN EN 10204. In sterile engineering, it is preferable to use CrNiMo steels, of quality 1.4404 and 1.4435 or 316L. (For instance, WIKA uses 1.4435 because the standard material for applications in sanitary applications, since it has improved corrosion properties in comparison to 1.4404 because of the lower delta ferrite content).
The measuring instrument must be calibratable and the accuracy should be confirmed by 3.1 or DAkkS certificate.
Conclusion
Nothing will stand in the way of the success of one’s FDA audit, if you take these points into account.
Note
Further information on our products are available on the WIKA website.