Medicinal products; application for authorization to manufacture medicinal products for human use and active substances requiring authorization

You require a manufacturing authorization if you wish to manufacture medicinal products within the meaning of Section 2 (1) or (2) of the Medicinal Products Act, test sera, test antigens or other specific active substances for the purpose of supplying them to others.

Germany participates in the World Health Organization (WHO) certification system for the quality of pharmaceutical products in international trade. Certificates under this system certify the marketability of the medicinal product in the country of origin and serve to facilitate the movement of medicinal products.

The WHO certificate can contain approval-related information and, with regard to manufacturing quality (GMP), certify that the medicinal product complies with the WHO's basic rules for the manufacture of medicinal products and the assurance of their quality. For medicinal products manufactured outside Germany, only marketing authorization-related information can be certified. If only marketing authorization-related information can be certified and the marketing authorization holder is based outside Germany, the higher federal authorities are responsible for issuing the WHO certificates.

WHO certificates for export can be applied for by the marketing authorization holder (pharmaceutical company), the manufacturer or the exporter of the medicinal product authorized in Germany.

You have the option of submitting the application via the online form or in writing:

• If you submit the application via the online form, the data from the online application, the automatically generated WHO certificate and the required attachments are submitted online to the automatically determined competent authority.
• In the case of a paper-based application, send the completed draft WHO certificate with the required documents by post and, if necessary, also by email to the competent authority.

Depending on the scope of the documents to be checked

The fee is set out in the schedule of costs, tariff no. 7.IX.8/8. The costs (fee and expenses) are to be borne by the applicant.

• The following documents are required:
  • List of medicinal products to be exported according to the WHO scheme
  • Country of destination
  • If applicable, complete composition of the pharmaceutical form
  • If applicable, the approved instructions for use/specialized information
  • List of manufacturers, if applicable
  • If an authorized representative is applying for the certificate, declaration of consent from the marketing authorization holder