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Official Control Authority Batch Release (OCABR) for Human Biologicals: Vaccines, blood and plasma derivatives.
These activities involve the EU/EEA OMCL Network and the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) partner countries only.
Background: OCABR Network for Human Biologicals
This network is an important forum for the confidential exchange of quality and technical information on human biological medicinal products and related methods and is a key link in the regulatory chain. As mandated by the European Commission, the EDQM acts as its Secretariat. It is a specific network within the General European OMCL Network, thus subject to its operating rules. It is supervised by an elected advisory group consisting of six representatives (three for blood and three for vaccines) from different Member States. A plenary meeting is held annually bringing together all the representatives (their details are available in a contact list) to review the years' activities and to discuss any relevant issues. This meeting also serves as an opportunity to officially adopt the Official Control Authority Batch Release (OCABR) procedures and guidelines, which - like all other OMCL Network activities - must be approved by all the networks' members.
Legal framework
As part of the regulation of biological medicinal products, Article 114 of Directive 2001/83/EC relating to medicinal products for human use, as amended by Directive 2004/27/EC, of the European Parliament and of the Council provides that a Member State laboratory may, but is not required to, test a batch of an immunological medicinal product or a medicinal product derived from human blood or plasma before it is placed on the market. OCABR performed by any given Member State must be mutually recognised by all other member states requiring OCABR for that product.
This legislation concerns EU/EEA Member States and is also applied by any state having signed a formal agreement, which includes recognition of OCABR, with the EU. Currently, Switzerland has done so via a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA).
The Procedure
The core administrative procedure for OCABR for Human Biological Medicinal Products is the EC Administrative Procedure For Official Control Authority Batch Release. This is used by OMCLs when implementing OCABR at the national level. It is also intended for use by marketing authorisation holders (MAHs). It provides guidance on documents used for communication between MAHs and OMCLs and describes the steps involved in the OCABR process, which are summarised below:
The Member State informs the MAH that its authorised human biological medicinal product is subject to OCABR. Samples of the batch to be released are sent, along with production and control protocols, to an OMCL within the EU/EEA. If the results are satisfactory, the competent authority (CA) issues an 'Official Control Authority Batch Release Certificate' to the MAH. This certificate means that the batch has been examined and tested by an OMCL in accordance with the OCABR guidelines pertaining to the medicinal product and is in compliance with the approved specifications laid down in the relevant monographs of the European Pharmacopoeia and in the relevant marketing authorisation (MA). The MAH must provide a copy of the OCABR Certificate to the Competent Authority (CA) of the Member State where the batch will be marketed. The certificate is recognised by all members of the network.
If the results are unsatisfactory, the batch is given a certificate of non-compliance and may not be placed on the market. All members of the OCABR network are informed.
Product Specific Guidelines
In addition to the Administrative Procedure, there is a series of product specific guidelines. These are elaborated by a panel of experts from various OMCLs under the aegis of the EDQM. These documents facilitate OMCLs in meeting the requirements of Directive 2001/83/EC, as amended by Directive 2004/27/EC. They ensure a common approach to testing in all OMCLs throughout the EU/EEA and transparency for all users of the system. The guidelines are adopted only after consultation within the network and where appropriate after a public enquiry involving interested parties.
The procedures and guidelines for running OCABR apply equally in all Member States.
At the end of the year, existing guidelines are compiled in the book ‘Biological Substances submitted to the Official Control Authority Batch Release' published by EDQM and placed concurrently on the website. Mid-year updates are placed immediately on the site and are included in the subsequent publication. Fifty-nine new and revised product specific guidelines are currently in force. Please see the right-hand menu for further information.
Guidelines & Procedures
To download all product specific guidelines and procedures, please go to the 'Product Specific Guidelines/Model Protocol Templates (OCABR/OBPR)' section.
Recent Updates
From 1st July 2010
- Procedure for Official Control Authority Batch Release of Centrally Authorised Immunological Medicinal Products for Human Use and Medicinal Products Derived from Human Blood and Plasma (revision to update to current practice and reflect EMA recommendations)
- Poliomyelitis Vaccine (Inactivated)
- Clotting Factor Concentrates, Plasma Inhibitor Concentrates and Fibrin Sealants (revision to be in line with the monograph revision)
- The Guideline for OMCLs on Validation of Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques (NAT) for Quantitation of B19 Virus DNA in Plasma Pools) will be replaced by the appropriate section of the Ph. Eur. General Chapter 2.6.21.
In force from 1 January 2010
- EC Administrative Procedure for Official Control Authority Batch Release (revision to take into account new annexes)
- Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Guideline (revision to facilitate protocol submission)
- Guideline on Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (whole cell) Vaccine (revision to be in line with the monograph revision)
In force from 1 August 2009
- Administrative Procedure for European OMCL Certification of Compliance of Batches under Article 58 (revision)
Additional Information & Documentation
Annex III of EC Administrative Procedure for Official Control Authority Batch Release: Human OCABR contact list
(last updated 1/6/2010)
Administrative Procedure for European OMCL Certification of Compliance of Batches under Article 58
OCABR Human Biologicals Flowchart
(revised December 2004)
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