QM: 7.5.4 Customer Property

Introduction

The organization can come across customer property which can be:

Information: Confidential document, proprietary information, plans & layouts, drawings, confidential information such as supplier details, market strategies, business plans etc.

Material: Starting material, intermediate, drug product, drug substance or any other materials which belong to customer but are within the company premises or control such as in-transit, intermediate warehouse or stores.

The standard states that, ‘The organization shall identify, verify, protect and safeguard customer property provided for use or incorporation into the product’.

Requirements of the clause become more important in contract manufacturing or job work scenario.

7.5.4

Customer Property

7.5.4 Customer Property

Customer materials are received and inspected following the same procedure that applies to the purchased products. In the event the supplied product fails receiving inspection, or is not suitable for any other reason, the customer is contacted.

Labeling, storage, handling and preservation of customer supplied product follow the same procedures that apply to purchase products.

Customer software, documents, and other intellectual property are protected to same extent as would internal documents of similar content, unless there are contractual requirements for specific measures to protect customer’s intellectual property.

Wherever specified special handling instructions for customers take precedent over the company’s standard procedures.

Customers are immediately informed in the events of loss, damage, deterioration or, or unsuitability of their products. Records of such events are maintained.