Pharmaceutical Quality · WHO GMP Certification

Make your plant inspection‑proof.

SSATAX gets your WHO GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certification online built for India's revised Schedule M norms, now strictly enforced by the CDSCO from 2026.

₹0/-

Service Fee + Govt / audit fees only

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What is WHO GMP Certification?

WHO GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) is the World Health Organization's global benchmark for pharmaceutical manufacturing quality. It ensures products are consistently produced and controlled to the same quality standard, batch after batch not just tested at the end of the line.

India's own Schedule M (under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules) is modelled on WHO GMP. The revised Schedule M, enforced from 2026, pushes India's domestic legal minimum even closer to true WHO GMP and PIC/S benchmarks which is exactly why this certification matters more now than ever.

PILLAR 01

Quality Assurance

A documented Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS) end-to-end.

PILLAR 02

Personnel & Training

Qualified staff, defined roles, ongoing GMP training.

PILLAR 03

Premises & Equipment

Validated facilities, utilities & manufacturing equipment.

PILLAR 04

Documentation

Batch records, SOPs & traceability from raw material to patient.

New rules making WHO GMP essential in 2026

India's pharma manufacturing landscape has fundamentally changed. Here's what's now in force and how WHO GMP lines up with it.

SCHEDULE M

Revised Schedule M now binding

From 1 January 2026, the DCGI mandates strict compliance with the revised Schedule M norms for all drug manufacturers, replacing the outdated 2001 framework entirely.

MSME WATCH

Most MSME units still mid-upgrade

Industry surveys show a large share of small & mid-size pharma units have not completed upgrades; extensions have been requested, with the Ministry reviewing relaxation measures.

PQS MANDATE

Pharmaceutical Quality System is now compulsory

Senior management must own a documented PQS covering CAPA, change control & deviation handling not just a quality manual on paper.

QRM & VALIDATION

Risk-based validation is the new baseline

Validation Master Plans (IQ/OQ/PQ) and continuous Quality Risk Management are now expected as standard practice, not optional extras.

INSPECTIONS LIVE

CDSCO risk-based inspections underway

Thousands of manufacturing plants nationwide face inspection; non-compliant units risk licence suspension, show-cause notices, or plant shutdowns.

PTUAS

Government upgrade support available

The Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (PTUAS) offers subsidies & soft loans to help MSMEs fund the required infrastructure upgrade.

What certification actually changes

Global Market Access

Opens doors to international buyers & semi-regulated export markets.

Schedule M Alignment

Closes the gap with India's own revised GMP legal minimum.

Fewer Recalls

Validated processes reduce product defects & market withdrawals.

Stronger Credibility

Builds trust with regulators, doctors, hospitals & consumers.

Tender Eligibility

A near-standard requirement for hospital & institutional supply tenders.

Inspection-Ready, Always

Ongoing surveillance keeps your plant ready for CDSCO & buyer audits.

Lower Compliance Risk

Reduces exposure to licence suspension or show-cause notices.

Operational Efficiency

Streamlined processes reduce waste & improve batch consistency.

WHO GMP vs other pharma licenses in India

A lot of manufacturers mix this up. Here's exactly how WHO GMP differs from the legal registrations you may already hold.

Parameter WHO GMP Certification Drug Manufacturing Licence (Schedule M) ISO 9001:2015 GST Registration
Nature Voluntary international certification Mandatory statutory licence Voluntary QMS certification Mandatory registration
Issued by WHO-recognised / accredited certification body State Drug Controller / CDSCO Accredited certification body GST Department
Purpose Global quality benchmark & market access proof Legal permission to manufacture drugs General quality management system Tax compliance
Validity 2–3 years, witt renewal audits Renewed periodically per state rules 3 years + annual audits No expiry
Legal mandate class="yes">Not compulsory, but export/tender-driven Compulsory to operate Not compulsory Compulsory

The certification process

From first call to certificate in hand here's exactly how it runs.

1

Consultation & Gap Analysis

We assess your plant against WHO GMP & revised Schedule M requirements.

2

Site Master File & Documentation

Quality manual, SOPs & batch documentation drafted for you.

3

Premises & Equipment Support

Guidance on closing facility, utility & equipment validation gaps.

4

QRM & Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)

Risk-based validation plan implemented across critical equipment.

5

Internal GMP Audit

A pre-certification audit identifies and closes any remaining gaps.

6

Certification Body Audit

On-site inspection coordinated with an accredited certifying body.

7

Certificate Issued

WHO GMP Certificate issued, with ongoing surveillance support.

Documents you'll need

Drug Manufacturing Licence Copy

Site Master File

List of Products & Dosage Forms Manufactured

Plant Layout & Equipment List

Validation Master Plan (If Available)

QA/QC Standard Operating Procedures

Personnel Qualification & Training Records

Previous Inspection/Audit Reports (If Any)

The SSATAX Difference

Why pharma businesses choose us over other consultants

01

₹0 service-fee model

You pay only government/certification body fees not inflated "consultant charges."

02

In-house regulatory experts, not freelancers

Dedicated pharma compliance, legal & documentation teams under one roof.

03

Real-time human support

Direct WhatsApp & call access to your case handler no bots, no call centres.

04

Lifetime free consultation

We stay on for renewal reminders & Schedule M regulatory updates, even post-certification.

05

Proven at scale

1.03 Lakh+ clients, 18,000+ startups served, 5,752+ 5★ Google reviews.

06

One platform, full compliance

Drug licence support, GST, Trademark & ISO all in one place, not five vendors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about WHO GMP Certification for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in India.

No, it's voluntary. Your Drug Manufacturing Licence under Schedule M is the mandatory legal requirement. WHO GMP is additional proof of global-standard quality, often required by overseas buyers, hospitals & tenders.
WHO-recognised or accredited third-party certification bodies, often coordinated with state drug regulatory endorsements.
Typically 2–3 years, subject to renewal audits and continued compliance with GMP requirements.
Schedule M is India's binding legal GMP requirement under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules. WHO GMP is a voluntary, internationally recognised certification. The revised Schedule M is modelled closely on WHO GMP principles, so achieving one strongly supports the other.
Yes. Given the current CDSCO scrutiny on MSME compliance with revised Schedule M, it's one of the strongest ways for smaller manufacturers to demonstrate readiness.
Typically 4–8 weeks, depending on your plant's current readiness and documentation.
Costs vary by plant size, product range, and certification body. SSATAX charges ₹0 as a service fee you pay only actual government and certification body charges.
Yes. The documentation, validation, and quality systems built for WHO GMP closely mirror what CDSCO inspectors check under the revised Schedule M norms.
WHO GMP is a globally recognised baseline accepted across many semi-regulated markets. US FDA and EU GMP are separate, jurisdiction-specific regulatory approvals with their own stricter inspection regimes, typically needed only for exporting to those specific markets.
Transparent ₹0 service-fee pricing, an in-house pharma regulatory team, real-time support, and a 1.03 Lakh+ client track record all online, with no outsourced files or hidden fees.