Interpreting GMP Non-Compliance Statements from EU Authorities

How to Interpret GMP Non-Compliance Statements Issued by EU Authorities

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance is the foundation for pharmaceutical quality, safety, and market access. Within the European Union (EU), when an inspected site fails to meet GMP standards, regulatory authorities may issue a formal GMP non-compliance statement. These statements carry significant consequences, including product recalls, marketing authorization impacts, and reputational damage. This article explains how to interpret such non-compliance statements, the role of the EudraGMDP database, and strategies for recovery and compliance reinstatement.

What Is a GMP Non-Compliance Statement?

A formal declaration issued by an EU national competent authority (NCA) stating that a manufacturing or testing site does not comply with EU GMP requirements
Published on the EudraGMDP portal for public and regulatory reference
Can apply to API and finished product manufacturers, as well as contract testing labs

Regulatory Basis for Non-Compliance Declarations:

Mandated under EU Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/6
GMP inspections are conducted per EU GMP Parts I and II, and relevant Annexes
Non-compliance decisions are based on critical or multiple major deficiencies observed during inspections

Also Read: Audit Readiness for EMA Biologics Inspections

Where Are Non-Compliance Statements Published?

The EudraGMDP database is the central repository managed by the EMA
Includes GMP certificates, non-compliance statements, and inspection scheduling history
Accessible to regulators, sponsors, Qualified Persons (QPs), and marketing authorization holders (MAHs)

Key Sections of a Non-Compliance Statement:

Site Information: Legal entity, location, and role (e.g., API manufacturer, QC lab)
Date of Inspection: Reference to the inspection that triggered the declaration
Nature of Non-Compliance: Summary of critical and major GMP deficiencies
Risk to Public Health: Assessment of potential patient or supply impact
Regulatory Action: Whether the site’s GMP certificate has been suspended or revoked

Common Triggers for Non-Compliance Statements:

Uncontrolled deviation handling or inadequate CAPA execution
Systemic data integrity issues (e.g., audit trail deletion, falsification)
Sterile manufacturing failures and microbial contamination risks
Lack of batch release traceability or Qualified Person oversight
Outdated validation protocols and environmental control breakdown

Implications of Receiving a Non-Compliance Statement:

Site is flagged as non-GMP compliant across the EU and EEA
May result in immediate suspension of product releases to EU markets
Impacts centralized and national marketing authorizations that reference the site
Triggers evaluation of product quality, recalls, and supply chain impact
Other international regulators may initiate follow-up or enforcement

Also Read: Evolution of International GMP Inspection Standards and Practices

Steps to Take After a Non-Compliance Statement:

Initiate internal root cause investigation across all affected GMP systems
Develop a detailed Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) plan
Notify impacted MAHs, sponsors, and QPs of the inspection outcome
Engage with the issuing authority to submit CAPAs and request re-inspection
Review all linked contracts, batch records, and regulatory filings referencing the site

Reinstating GMP Compliance After Non-Compliance:

Once CAPAs are implemented, firms can request a follow-up inspection
Success depends on the effectiveness of remediation and sustainability evidence
Re-inspection outcomes determine whether a new GMP certificate can be issued
EMA and NCAs will assess trend data, training, and QMS rebuild efforts

EMA’s Role in Non-Compliance Oversight:

EMA provides coordination and publication through EudraGMDP for centralized authorizations
Supports risk evaluation for batch release holds and pharmacovigilance follow-up
Coordinates with NCAs and CHMP for decisions impacting marketing authorizations
EMA may initiate joint inspections or coordinate information exchange with global authorities

Also Read: WHO PQP GMP Certification vs. Local GMP Certification

Case Examples of Recent Non-Compliance Statements:

API plant in India found to falsify chromatography data – GMP certificate revoked
Contract sterile manufacturer in Europe – microbial contamination and QP oversight failure
QC laboratory cited for unauthorized test repeat without justification

How to Proactively Prevent Non-Compliance:

Conduct routine internal audits aligned with EMA and PIC/S inspection trends
Strengthen data governance programs and IT access controls
Ensure deviation and CAPA processes are timely, traceable, and effective
Maintain Qualified Person training and documentation rigor
Keep validation lifecycle and CCS (Contamination Control Strategy) current

Conclusion:

Receiving a GMP non-compliance statement from an EU authority is a critical event that signals deep-rooted quality failures. Understanding how to interpret the notice, respond strategically, and rebuild compliance is essential for regaining trust and securing market continuity. Manufacturers should treat EudraGMDP as both a warning system and a resource for continuous improvement, aligning their quality systems with EMA expectations to avoid future enforcement actions.