Document Control Procedures
Implementation guide for ISO 13485-compliant document control systems.
Table of Contents
Document Numbering System
Numbering Format
Standard format: [PREFIX]-[CATEGORY]-[SEQUENCE]-[REVISION]
| Component |
Format |
Example |
Description |
| PREFIX |
2-3 letters |
SOP, WI, TF |
Document type identifier |
| CATEGORY |
2-3 digits |
01, 02, 10 |
Functional area code |
| SEQUENCE |
3-4 digits |
001, 0001 |
Sequential number within category |
| REVISION |
Letter or number |
A, 01 |
Revision indicator |
Document Type Prefixes
| Prefix |
Document Type |
Description |
| QM |
Quality Manual |
Top-level QMS description |
| SOP |
Standard Operating Procedure |
Process procedures |
| WI |
Work Instruction |
Task-level instructions |
| TF |
Template/Form |
Controlled forms and templates |
| POL |
Policy |
Policy statements |
| SPEC |
Specification |
Product/process specifications |
| PLN |
Plan |
Project and quality plans |
| RPT |
Report |
Technical and quality reports |
Category Codes
| Code |
Functional Area |
Examples |
| 01 |
Quality Management |
QMS procedures, audits |
| 02 |
Document Control |
This area |
| 03 |
Human Resources |
Training, competency |
| 04 |
Design & Development |
Design control |
| 05 |
Purchasing |
Supplier management |
| 06 |
Production |
Manufacturing |
| 07 |
Quality Control |
Inspection, testing |
| 08 |
CAPA |
Corrective/preventive actions |
| 09 |
Risk Management |
ISO 14971 processes |
| 10 |
Regulatory Affairs |
Submissions, compliance |
Numbering Workflow
- Author requests document number from Document Control
- Document Control verifies category and assigns next sequence number
- Document number recorded in Document Master List
- Author creates document using assigned number
- Validation: Number format matches standard; no duplicates exist
Document Lifecycle
Lifecycle Stages
Stage Definitions
| Stage |
Definition |
Actions Required |
| Draft |
Document under creation or revision |
Author editing, not for use |
| Review |
Circulated for review and comment |
Reviewers provide feedback |
| Approved |
All required signatures obtained |
Ready for training/distribution |
| Effective |
Training complete, document released |
Available for use |
| Superseded |
Replaced by newer revision |
Remove from active use |
| Obsolete |
No longer applicable |
Archive per retention schedule |
Document Status Indicators
| Status |
Indicator |
Location |
| Draft |
"DRAFT" watermark |
Header or footer |
| Approved |
Approval signatures with dates |
Signature page |
| Effective |
Effective date |
Header |
| Obsolete |
"OBSOLETE" stamp |
Across all pages |
Review and Approval Workflow
Document Review Workflow
- Author completes document draft
- Author submits for review via DMS or routing form
- Reviewers assigned based on document type and content
- Reviewers provide comments within review period (typically 5-10 business days)
- Author addresses comments and documents responses
- Author resubmits for approval
- Approvers sign and date
- Validation: All required reviewers completed; all comments addressed
Required Reviewers by Document Type
| Document Type |
Required Reviewers |
Required Approvers |
| SOP |
Process Owner, QA |
QA Manager, Process Owner |
| WI |
Area Supervisor, QA |
Area Manager |
| SPEC |
Engineering, QA |
Engineering Manager, QA |
| TF |
Process Owner |
QA |
| POL |
Department Heads |
Management Representative |
| Design Documents |
Design Team, QA |
Design Control Authority |
Approval Matrix
Change Control Process
Change Request Workflow
- Identify need for document change
- Complete Change Request Form (CRF)
- Submit CRF to Document Control
- Document Control assigns change number
- Route to reviewers for impact assessment
- Obtain approvals based on change classification
- Author implements approved changes
- Validation: Changes match approved scope; version number incremented
Change Classification
| Class |
Definition |
Approval Level |
Examples |
| Administrative |
No impact on content meaning |
Document Control |
Typos, formatting, references |
| Minor |
Limited content change, no process impact |
Process Owner + QA |
Clarifications, minor additions |
| Major |
Significant content change, process impact |
Full review cycle |
New requirements, process changes |
| Emergency |
Urgent change required for safety/compliance |
Expedited approval + retrospective review |
Safety issues, regulatory mandates |
Change Impact Assessment
| Impact Area |
Assessment Questions |
| Training |
Does change require retraining? Who? |
| Equipment |
Does change affect equipment or systems? |
| Validation |
Does change require revalidation? |
| Regulatory |
Does change affect regulatory filings? |
| Other Documents |
Which related documents need updating? |
| Records |
What records are affected? |
Version Control Rules
| Change Type |
Version Increment |
Example |
| Major revision |
Increment revision number |
Rev 01 → Rev 02 |
| Minor revision |
Increment sub-revision |
Rev 01 → Rev 01.1 |
| Administrative |
No version change (or sub-increment) |
Rev 01 → Rev 01a |
| Draft iterations |
Use draft version |
Draft 1, Draft 2 |
Change History Template
Distribution and Access Control
Distribution Methods
| Method |
Use Case |
Control Mechanism |
| Electronic (DMS) |
Primary method |
Access permissions |
| Controlled Print |
Manufacturing floor |
Signature log |
| Uncontrolled Copy |
External distribution |
Watermark "UNCONTROLLED" |
| Reference Copy |
Training/archive |
Watermark "REFERENCE ONLY" |
Access Permission Levels
| Level |
Permissions |
Typical Roles |
| Read |
View documents only |
General users |
| Print |
View and print controlled copies |
Area supervisors |
| Review |
View, print, add comments |
Reviewers |
| Author |
Create, edit drafts |
Document authors |
| Approve |
Approve documents |
Approvers |
| Admin |
Full system access |
Document Control |
Controlled Print Log
Obsolete Document Control
- Mark document as "OBSOLETE" in DMS
- Notify copy holders of obsolescence
- Collect and destroy controlled prints
- Update Document Master List
- Archive master copy per retention schedule
- Validation: No obsolete copies remain in active use areas
Record Retention
Retention Periods
| Record Type |
Retention Period |
Basis |
| Device Master Record (DMR) |
Life of device + 2 years |
21 CFR 820.181 |
| Device History Record (DHR) |
Life of device + 2 years |
21 CFR 820.184 |
| Design History File (DHF) |
Life of device + 2 years |
21 CFR 820.30 |
| Quality Records |
2 years beyond device discontinuation |
ISO 13485 |
| Training Records |
Duration of employment + 3 years |
Best practice |
| Audit Records |
7 years |
Best practice |
| Complaint Records |
Life of device + 2 years |
21 CFR 820.198 |
| CAPA Records |
7 years |
Best practice |
| Calibration Records |
2 years beyond equipment disposal |
Best practice |
| Supplier Records |
Life of relationship + 3 years |
Best practice |
Archive Requirements
| Requirement |
Specification |
| Storage Conditions |
Temperature 15-25°C, RH 30-60% |
| Access Control |
Restricted to authorized personnel |
| Indexing |
Searchable by document number, date, type |
| Media |
Original format or validated conversion |
| Backup |
Offsite backup for electronic records |
| Integrity Checks |
Periodic verification of record legibility |
Disposal Procedure
- Verify retention period has expired
- Check for legal holds or ongoing litigation
- Obtain disposal authorization
- Execute secure destruction (shred paper, wipe electronic)
- Document disposal in Disposal Log
- Validation: No premature disposal; disposal documented
Disposal Log Template
Document Master List
Master List Content
| Field |
Description |
Required |
| Document Number |
Unique identifier |
Yes |
| Title |
Document title |
Yes |
| Current Revision |
Active revision number |
Yes |
| Effective Date |
Date document became effective |
Yes |
| Status |
Draft/Effective/Obsolete |
Yes |
| Process Owner |
Responsible party |
Yes |
| Review Date |
Next scheduled review |
Yes |
| Category |
Functional area |
Yes |
| Storage Location |
Physical or electronic location |
Yes |
Master List Maintenance
- Update within 24 hours of document status change
- Review quarterly for accuracy
- Audit annually for completeness
- Archive historical versions
Sample Master List Entry