1.1 This standard covers terminology used by the E55 Committee relating to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry for manufacture of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products. Terms that are generally understood and in common usage or adequately defined in other readily available references are not included except where particular delineation to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing may be more clearly stated.

1.2 This terminology is, therefore, intended to be selective of terms used generally in the manufacture of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products and published in a number of documents such as those listed in the succeeding section. The listing is also intended to define terms that appear prominently within other related ASTM International standards and do not appear elsewhere.

1.3 The definitions are substantially identical to those published by regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (Japan), other and national competent authorities (human) as well as other authoritative bodies, such as ICH, ISO, and national standards organizations.

1.4 This terminology supplements current documents on terminology that concentrate on the manufacture of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products.

1.5 An increasing number of product designations and designations for chemical, physical, mechanical, analytical, and statistical tests and standards are coming into common usage in the literature, regulatory environment, and commerce associated with the manufacture of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products.

1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.