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Quality Management ISO 15378 2017

Medicinal Products Packaging QMS

Applies ISO 9001 requirements to primary packaging materials for medicinal products, incorporating Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) principles for packaging manufacturers.

pharmaceuticals packaging manufacturing
About This Standard

ISO 15378 applies ISO 9001 requirements to manufacturers of primary packaging materials for medicinal products, integrating Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) principles throughout. It bridges the pharmaceutical regulatory requirements and management system standards, supporting compliance with EU GMP Annex 11, ICH guidelines, and FDA regulations.

Primary packaging materials — including blister packs, vials, ampoules, and closures — come into direct contact with medicinal products, making quality and contamination control critical. The standard addresses these specific risks within a formal QMS framework.

ACI-certified auditors develop competency in evaluating packaging manufacturer QMS against both ISO and pharmaceutical GMP requirements.

Examination Topic Areas
GMP principles within the ISO 9001 framework
Pharmaceutical regulatory requirements (EU GMP, ICH, FDA)
Cleanroom and contamination control requirements
Packaging material validation and qualification
Batch documentation and material traceability
Change control procedures for regulated packaging
Complaint handling and recall procedures
Supplier audit requirements for pharmaceutical packaging
Examination & Certification Process
01
Attend Training

Attend an ACI-Approved Training Provider (ATP) course for your chosen grade level. ACI-approved courses are aligned to the examination syllabus for ISO 15378.

02
Sit the Examination

Examinations are administered exclusively through ACI Approved Training Providers. Foundation and Internal Auditor examinations require 70% to pass; Lead Auditor requires 65%.

03
Apply for Certification

Submit your application through the ACI portal with your examination result, training certificate, and relevant audit experience log. Upon approval you receive your ACI Card ID and digital certificate.

Scheme Details
Standard ISO 15378
Edition 2017
Category Quality Management
Cert. Period 3 years
Framework ISO/IEC 17024 Aligned
Available Grades PA · AA · AU · LA · PR · FACI
All Certification Schemes
Auditor Grades

Available Grades for ISO 15378

All six ACI auditor grades are available for this scheme. Each grade has defined competence, experience, and examination requirements.

PA
Provisional Auditor

Entry-level certification for those beginning their auditing career. Suitable for individuals who have completed foundation training but have limited audit experience.

Foundation examination pass (70%)
No prior audit experience required
Annual CPD requirement applies
AA
Associate Auditor

For auditors who have completed Internal Auditor training and have begun accumulating audit experience under supervision or in an internal audit role.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 2 internal audits conducted
Annual CPD requirement applies
AU
Auditor

Full auditor grade for practitioners with demonstrated audit experience. Recognised as a competent independent auditor of management systems.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 5 complete audits
Annual CPD requirement applies
LA
Lead Auditor

Senior grade for experienced auditors capable of leading audit teams and managing full audit programmes. The most widely recognised auditor grade internationally.

Lead Auditor examination pass (65%)
Lead Auditor training course
Minimum 10 complete audits as team lead
PR
Principal Auditor

Advanced grade for highly experienced auditors demonstrating sustained performance in complex audit environments and contributions to the auditing profession.

Lead Auditor grade prerequisite
Minimum 5 years audit experience
Professional development portfolio
FACI
Fellow of ACI

The highest ACI designation, awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the management system auditing profession and to the ACI community.

By nomination and committee review
Exceptional professional contribution
Sustained ACI membership
Ready to certify in ISO 15378?

Find an Approved Training Provider, sit the examination, and submit your application to ACI.