scope:

This guideline provides information for establishing and verifying (confirming) shelf‑life and in‑use stability claims for quantitative in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical laboratory reagents or products. The information also applies to qualitative IVD products, provided that an underlying continuous response or signal responsible for the qualitative result(s) is available to the investigator. This guideline also includes background information and typical content for creating a stability testing plan, determining the logistics for performing the studies, conducting recommended data analyses, and documenting stability claims for a product. Additional topics include assessment of product distribution conditions on stability claims (transport simulation), verification of stability claims, appropriate uses of accelerated testing, and considerations for testing with difficult samples.

The intended users of this guideline are primarily product manufacturers and regulatory agencies. Medical laboratorians may find this information useful for interpreting and confirming commercial product stability claims (eg, in‑use life of QC materials), as well as for establishing stability attributes for laboratory‑developed test methods. For this guideline, "products" is understood to encompass reagents, calibrators, controls, diluents, and similar materials that are used as IVD medical devices to conduct a measurement procedure for a measurand of medical interest.

This guideline does not cover instrument systems, laboratory equipment, software, or patient specimens. Stability testing of raw materials or components of reagent kits or consumables is not covered explicitly; however, the principles described in this guideline can be adapted by manufacturers for that purpose.