EPC revises pharmaceutical water standards — Water for Injections now tested using TOC method, effective July 2026.

EPC Revises Pharmaceutical Water Standards — A Step Towards Global Harmonisation

The European Pharmacopoeia Commission (EPC) has adopted three revised texts on pharmaceutical waters, marking a major advancement in harmonising global quality standards — especially for sterilised Water for Injections.

🔍 Key Updates:

  • Water for Injections (0169): TOC test replaces oxidisable substances test, enabling better detection of organic impurities.

  • Purified Water (0008): Revised as part of harmonisation efforts.

  • TOC Test (2.2.44): Reagents replaced with Chemical Reference Substances for streamlined testing.

🧫 These changes reflect a shift toward modern analytical methods and reinforce the robustness of pharmaceutical water quality control. The revisions were adopted in June 2025 and will be published in Ph. Eur. Issue 12.3 (Jan 2026), becoming effective on 1 July 2026.

🤝 The updates are aligned with harmonisation efforts involving India, Japan, and the US through the Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group.

👉 Click here to read the full details and regulatory context

Glass containers for pharmaceutical use — revised Ph. Eur. Chapter 3.2.1 published in Pharmeuropa 37.3, open for public consultation.

Revised Chapter on Glass Containers Published in Pharmeuropa 37.3

The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) has published a major revision of general chapter 3.2.1: Glass containers for pharmaceutical use in Pharmeuropa 37.3.
This is the first significant update since 2019 and was led by the Glass (GLS) Working Party.

Key highlights include:

  • 🔍 Clarified testing purposes for hydrolytic resistance (Tests A, B, and C), addressing frequent user questions.

  • 💡 Modernised spectral transmission test for coloured glass, now based on wall thickness rather than container volume or closure type.

📣 The revised chapter is open for public consultation until end of September 2025. Stakeholders are encouraged to review and provide feedback.

👉 Click here to view the news link and comment instructions