Specifying for Compliance: Why Sampling Valves and High-Purity Piping Systems Matter in UK and Irish Pharmaceutical Projects

In the pharmaceutical sector, systems don’t just need to work - they need to prove it. Every component, from valves to piping, must withstand the scrutiny of regulatory bodies, auditors, and quality assurance teams whose sole focus is to protect patient safety and ensure the integrity of medicinal products. For specifiers, this means selecting suppliers and solutions that support compliance from the ground up.

IPS Flow Systems supports pharmaceutical clients across the UK and Ireland with high-purity systems designed for confidence, compliance and performance, with a particular emphasis on sampling valves and pipework - two often-overlooked components that are absolutely critical to GMP-compliant design.

The UK pharmaceutical sector contributes over £36 billion annually to the economy and employs more than 130,000 people. Ireland is a global pharmaceutical hub, exporting over €116 billion in pharmaceutical products in 2023 and hosting more than 85 pharma manufacturing plants, including facilities operated by nine of the ten largest global pharma companies. As these industries expand, pressure grows to meet evolving compliance expectations while maintaining production efficiency.

For specifiers and engineers, this means designing systems that are auditable, cleanable, chemically compatible and able to integrate into a validated production environment. It also means understanding how the right components - particularly sampling valves and pipework - directly impact product safety and process reliability.

The Role of Sampling Valves in Product Integrity

In any pharmaceutical process, sampling is essential for in-process control, quality verification and batch release. Without reliable sampling infrastructure, a facility cannot demonstrate that its products meet regulatory standards. Poor sampling design or the wrong valve increases the risk of cross-contamination, inaccurate test results and even total batch rejection.

To comply with EU GMP, FDA 21 CFR Part 211 and PIC/S guidelines, sampling valves must provide accurate, representative sampling of process fluids. They must be fully drainable, free of dead legs and compatible with CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Steam-in-Place). They must also be chemically inert, thermally resilient and come with documentation to support pressure and temperature ratings, material compliance and installation integrity.

IPS Flow Systems supplies Swissfluid AG sampling valves, which are specifically designed for high-purity and corrosive chemical environments such as those found in pharmaceutical production. These valves are available in a wide range of configurations and materials, including PVDF, PTFE and PFA-lined stainless steel. They feature zero dead-space internal designs, manual or actuated operation and a choice of clamp, flanged or threaded end connections.

Swissfluid valves are built for reliability in contamination-controlled environments and are compatible with aggressive cleaning regimes. Their internal geometry supports hygiene standards and prevents product build-up, while chemically resistant materials maintain performance under extreme conditions.

In critical pharmaceutical processes, whether upstream fermentation or downstream purification, Swissfluid valves offer dependable, compliant sampling functionality that specifiers can trust.

High-Purity Piping: A System is Only as Clean as Its Flow Path

Alongside high-quality sampling, piping systems must support cleanliness, chemical compatibility and mechanical reliability. Even minor weaknesses in piping materials or jointing can compromise hygiene, affect batch quality or lead to cleaning failures - especially in systems using strong solvents or disinfectants.

IPS Flow Systems offers a full range of PVDF piping systems suitable for pharmaceutical-grade applications. These systems are widely used for ultra-pure water (UPW), solvent delivery, chemical dosing and WFI (Water For Injection) lines in production and cleanroom environments.

Key features of our PVDF piping systems include smooth internal surfaces to minimise biofilm formation, excellent resistance to cleaning agents such as sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid, and full compatibility with infrared (IR) welding methods to create seamless, crevice-free joints.

Our PVDF systems are supported by technical documentation, including chemical resistance data, pressure and temperature ratings, and material conformity statements. This provides specifiers with the information they need to build around reliable, consistent performance. Where additional chemical or temperature performance is required, IPS also supplies systems in ECTFE, PP Natural and PE 100-RC, each offering unique benefits for pharmaceutical and high-purity environments.

What Specifiers Can Expect from IPS Flow Systems

IPS Flow Systems has been supplying the pharmaceutical and chemical processing sectors for over 30 years. We understand the need for components that meet high standards and arrive on time, backed by technical knowledge and ongoing support.

Here’s what we offer:

• Respected product ranges, including Swissfluid, AGRU and other leading European manufacturers
• Dedicated technical support from experienced specialists familiar with pharmaceutical requirements
• Reliable availability and responsive service from our UK and Irish teams
• Supporting documentation to assist with technical approvals and procurement
• Advice on installation methods and product selection to help reduce long-term risk

We don’t just supply piping and valves - we help you build compliant systems that deliver performance under pressure.

Final Thoughts: Compliance is Designed In

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, cleanliness, compatibility and documentation are essential from the very beginning. Sampling valves and piping systems should never be an afterthought - they are central to every compliant design.

At IPS Flow Systems, we support specifiers, consultants and project engineers with systems and expertise designed to meet the most demanding requirements.

To discuss your next pharmaceutical project, contact us:

📧 sales@ipsflowsystems.com 📞 UK: 0191 521 3111 📞 IRE: +353 1 2573741 🌐 www.ipsflowsystems.com