Are Metal Detectors mandatory in Tableting?
Recommendation
16-18 June 2026
Good Engineering Practice for Pharmaceutical Companies and Suppliers
On the Road to 30,000 Members
Let us become the World's Leading GMP/GDP Compliance Community in 2026
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) maintains a site with answers to frequently asked questions regarding GMP. This site has been updated this year and now also provides an answer to the question with regard to the mandatory use of metal detectors in tableting.
Metal particles may come from raw materials or, as in the case of tableting, from the equipment - for example, due to damage of the moving metal parts in a press. In cases where this is possible, the Agency recommends the use of metal detectors. If there is no routine use of metal detectors, the company needs to demonstrate that their use is not necessary. This might be difficult in practice.
Find this and more interesting GMP answers on the EMA's Q&A site.
Related GMP News
08.04.2026Deficiencies in Equipment Design lead to Warning Letter
01.04.2026Rouging in pharmaceutical Water and Pure Steam Systems: Causes, Effects and Control Measures
18.03.2026HVAC Systems: Is there a Difference between Mixed Air and Recirculation Air Operation?
04.03.2026Warning Letter to US Contract Manufacturer of OTC Drugs due to Cross-Contamination Risk
04.03.2026Warning Letter following Complaints about Tablets
04.03.2026What does the FDA expect regarding Facility Maintenance?