Case Study WELEDA

The work of the holistic natural cosmetics and anthroposophic medicine manufacturer Weleda is based on the spiritual philosophy of Rudolf Steiner and aims to unite humankind and nature in perfect harmony. The company was founded in 1921 in Arlesheim (Switzerland), with two further hubs added in Huningue, (France) and Schwäbisch Gmünd (Germany) over the years. These three sites are where the majority of the around 1,000 natural raw materials are turned into 120 natural cosmetic products and several thousand medicines. These products are manufactured on a purely natural basis without any artificial preservatives, and to this end, Weleda even has its own biodynamic horticulture and tincture production facilities.

Medicine testing in line with ICH guidelines

Weleda's Quality Control Analysis Service handles not only analytical and microbiological release testing and  methodology development, but also medicinal stability studies in line with ICH guidelines (International Conference on Harmonisation) in a GMP-compliant (Good Manufacturing Practice) environment. The purpose of standardizing  technical standards across the pharmaceuticals industry is to ensure that medicines can be clearly recognized by the respective regulatory authorities in Europe, Japan, and the USA. Weleda has been using BINDER's KBF 720 constant climate chambers and MKF 240 dynamic climate chambers for years to carry out these studies, not to mention several incubators from the BD and KB series. “We have been working with BINDER units for years now and have total confidence in the high levels of reliability, service and support that go hand in hand with the chambers,” explains  Jochen Grimm, Qualification Team Leader responsible for manufacturing, validating, and qualifying cooling and air conditioning units. The medicines are subject to stringent safety precautions and are therefore also tested in accordance with the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), the German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB), or the German Pharmacopoeia (DAB) depending on requirements.

In accordance with ICH guidelines and depending on the specified climate zone, the compounds remain in a BINDER constant climate chamber with constant conditions of 25 °C / 40 % RH; 25 °C / 60 % RH; 30 °C / 65 % RH; or 40 °C / 75 % RH for a period of 6 to 120 months. The investigation cycles are also performed in line with the specifications listed in the ICH guidelines. Tests for stability after opening – also known as “in-use” tests – are oriented toward the use of compounds and aim to establish their shelf-life in relation to their actual conditions of use.

Accelerated aging process

In addition to the stability test, laboratory staff also perform long-term simulations with dynamic climatic conditions in a MKF 240 dynamic climate chamber. The specimens are exposed to extreme climatic conditions under cyclical  temperature and humidity values to accelerate the aging process and allow staff to investigate the behavior of the products in cases of heavy exposure. Jochen Grimm believes that the ability to vary the temperature and humidity settings presents a real advantage. “The chambers maintain the set values with the utmost precision. Not only that, but the temperature and humidity are distributed homogeneously throughout the inner chamber.”

Unmatched safety

Medicines are subject to stringent safety standards, yet in spite of these precautions, the specimens still have to  undergo regular checks for germs. To this end, BINDER laboratory staff use BD incubators and KB cooling incubators. At the heart of every interaction between Weleda and its partners, suppliers, and employees lies its underlying ambition to unite humankind, the company, and nature in perfect harmony. The company has upheld this philosophy for over 90 years and never faltered from its renowned quality standard.