Regulatory Open Forum

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  • 1.  Regulatory requirements-quality objectives

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 13-Sep-2023 09:08
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hello,

    Could anybody provide examples of quality objectives that meet regulatory requirements?

    Is a quality objective of satisfied customers, to achieve a score of, e.g., 80% based on the customer satisfaction survey, applicable to the above?

    Thank you!



  • 2.  RE: Regulatory requirements-quality objectives

    Posted 13-Sep-2023 12:17

    The requirements for quality objectives in, for example, ISO 13485:2016, distinguish objectives for meeting applicable regulatory requirements from objectives for product requirements.  I would say your example would be better applied regarding the latter type (product requirements).

    Notwithstanding my prior narratives in this Forum about quality and regulatory being inseparable sides of the same coin, objectives related to meeting applicable regulatory requirements should be more topically focused on pure regulatory requirements.  For example, proper completion of periodic registration renewals; proper resolution of outstanding regulatory citations (if any); etc., etc.



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    Kevin Randall, ASQ CQA, RAC (Europe, U.S., Canada)
    Principal Consultant
    Ridgway, CO
    United States
    © Copyright 2023 by ComplianceAcuity, Inc. All rights reserved.
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  • 3.  RE: Regulatory requirements-quality objectives

    Posted 13-Sep-2023 12:34

    By the way, here is an excerpt from a prior Forum post I gave a couple years ago on this topic:

    "...I distinguish between quality objectives needed to met applicable regulatory vs. those needed to meet requirements for product.  This is because there is a distinct difference between regulatory requirements (such as FDA's 21 CFR Part 807 establishment registration) and the requirements in a standard, such as the quality management system (QMS) requirements in ISO 13485.

    Sometimes, the quality objectives needed to meet applicable regulatory requirements may be as simple as assuring that the establishment is reregistered with FDA by 12/31/YYYY each year.  Other times more sophisticated objectives will be relevant, such as achieving conformity with Europe's Regulation 2017/745 by a certain date.

    In contrast, quality objectives needed to meet requirements for product are typically focused on product-specific or product QMS-specific topics, such as achieving specified resolution deadlines for Gizmo X complaints, reducing in-process Gizmo Y nonconformities, reducing the rate of complaints (alleged deficiencies) for Gizmo Z issue X, etc.

    By the way, I recommend staying away from objectives aimed at reducing audit findings or CAPAs, as that tends to foster a cat-and-mouse culture.

    Overall, be sure each quality objective is unambiguous, measurable, deadlined, meaningful, and feasible/realistic..."

     



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    Kevin Randall, ASQ CQA, RAC (Europe, U.S., Canada)
    Principal Consultant
    Ridgway, CO
    United States
    © Copyright 2023 by ComplianceAcuity, Inc. All rights reserved.
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  • 4.  RE: Regulatory requirements-quality objectives

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 13-Sep-2023 13:57
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    An organization I was previously associated with had this very objective.  It was never questioned during a 13485 or QSR audit.  It's defined and measurable.




  • 5.  RE: Regulatory requirements-quality objectives

    Posted 13-Sep-2023 19:12

    A common quality objective I recommend is submitting adverse event reports on time. It is a regulatory requirement and often missed. A quality objective must be measurable and have a target. Characterize each report as either on time or not. Set the target as 90% and the improvement direction as up.

    In my opinion your quality objective of a satisfied customer is fine.



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    Dan O'Leary CQA, CQE
    Swanzey NH
    United States
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