The ICH Q3D Guideline for Elemental Impurities reached Step 2b of the ICH Process in July 2013 and now enters the consultation period (Step 3).

This new Guideline is proposed to provide a global policy for limiting metal impurities qualitatively and quantitatively in drug products and ingredients. The existing ICH Q3A Guideline classifies impurities as organic, inorganic, and residual solvents. The Q3A and Q3B Guidelines effectively address the requirements for organic impurities.

An additional Guideline Q3C was developed to provide clarification of the requirements for residual solvents.

The proposed new Guideline Q3D would provide similar clarification of the requirements for metals, which are included in the ICH inorganic impurities classification.

For more: http://www.ich.org/fileadmin/Public_Web_Site/ICH_Products/Guidelines/Quality/Q3D/Q3D_Step2b_Final.pdf