Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analysis
Accurate TOC analysis using Shimadzu and Sievers technologies.

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analysis

What is TOC Analysis?

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) measures the amount of organic carbon in water by quantifying total carbon and subtracting inorganic carbon. It is a non-specific but highly sensitive indicator of organic contamination, making it indispensable for pharmaceutical water systems where Purified Water (PW) and Water for Injection (WFI) must meet strict compendial standards.

TOC analysis is also widely applied in cleaning validation, detecting trace residues of cleaning agents or product in rinse and swab samples, providing confidence in cleaning effectiveness.

Why TOC Testing Matters in Pharma

Regulatory pharmacopoeias (Ph. Eur., USP, JP) specify a TOC limit of ≤500 ppb for PW and WFI.

Elevated TOC may indicate ingress of organic contaminants, deterioration of purification media, or increased microbial risk.

Consistent TOC monitoring helps prevent biofilm formation, supports regulatory compliance, and ensures patient safety.

During cleaning validation, TOC acts as a highly sensitive, non-specific method to demonstrate effective residue removal.

Our Dual Approach – Shimadzu & Sievers TOC Instruments

Honeyman Laboratories operates both Shimadzu and Sievers TOC analysers, giving clients flexibility and assurance that methods align with their specific regulatory or validation requirements.

Shimadzu TOC Technology (High-Temperature Catalytic Oxidation): Samples are oxidised at high temperature in the presence of a catalyst. This robust method offers excellent recovery of a wide range of organic compounds, making it highly effective for challenging matrices.

Sievers TOC Technology (UV Persulfate Oxidation with Membrane Conductometric Detection): A sensitive, industry-standard technique widely adopted in the pharmaceutical sector. It provides rapid, accurate results and is particularly effective for routine PW and WFI monitoring.

By offering both systems, Honeyman can meet diverse testing specifications, align with site-specific validation protocols, and provide the most appropriate method for the sample type.

How Honeyman Ensures Compliance

We provide TOC analysis for:

PW and WFI testing to Ph. Eur., USP and JP requirements (≤500 ppb TOC)

Water testing to client-defined limits where tighter specifications apply

Cleaning validation swab and rinse samples

Our services include:

Onsite trained samplers for GMP-compliant collection

Validated transport to maintain chain of custody

High-sensitivity Shimadzu and Sievers instrumentation

Data trending and interpretation to highlight early warning signs

Collaboration with Honeyman Water engineers for system troubleshooting, remediation and optimisation

Why Choose Honeyman for TOC Testing

MHRA-approved cGMP laboratory with decades of experience in water quality analysis

Dual-instrument capability (Shimadzu and Sievers) covering both major TOC methodologies

Full compliance with Ph. Eur., USP and JP requirements, plus bespoke testing on request

One-stop service including sampling, transport, testing and expert interpretation

Access to group-wide expertise in water system consultancy, design and performance management

Delivering Audit-Ready Results

Honeyman Laboratories provides fast, accurate TOC testing to keep your pharmaceutical water systems and cleaning validation programmes fully compliant. With both Shimadzu and Sievers TOC technologies available, we deliver results you can trust.

Contact us today to discuss your TOC testing requirements or request a tailored quotation.

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