Optimal CIP Cleaning 7: CIP validation
23 October 2025
How do you validate your CIP process?
After the previous 6 steps for optimal CIP cleaning, it’s time to see if you’ve been successful!
The only way to know if your CIP is working optimally is to measure it.
By validating the cleaning process, you’ll know whether invisible product and chemical residues have been removed or neutralized.
Understanding CIP validation and its implementation:
1) Determine your worst-case scenario: what is the most stubborn contamination with the longest standing time?
2) Develop a measurement plan consisting of:
a. Visual inspection of critical points,
b. ATP, protein, and/or allergen test
c. Micro-swaps
d. Rinse samples
e. Conductivity Check
3) Perform 3 consecutive CIP runs under worst-case conditions and measure the cleaning performance after each run.
4) Record measurements and inspections in a logbook.
5) Repeat the CIP validation periodically and under exceptional circumstances.
How often should you validate the CIP cleaning?
• In case of changes: new products/recipes, different viscosity/allergen profile, line modifications, new pump/valve, changed CIP recipes or chemicals.
• After deviations/incidents: failed swab, suspected biofilm, parameter violations.
• Periodically (risk-based): many companies validate annually. For stable processes, every 2–3 years is possible, provided you verify and trend properly in the meantime.
• Audit requirements/internal requirements/customer requirements may be more stringent; please coordinate this with QA.
Would you like to learn more about CIP validation?
Please contact us: (0031) 85 – 500 1767 or click on the button: