According to Q7A, the only difference in how materials are classified, is that an identification test
can be eliminated for some process aids. But for everything else, you have the same
expectations. So, it really doesn’t matter how a material is classified. For all materials, you should
have an agreed upon specification, an approved supplier, incoming testing with that one
exception of an ID test, and a supplier Certificate of Analysis. Section 7.3 states that processing
aids, hazardous or highly toxic raw materials, other special materials, or materials transferred to
another unit within the company control do not need to be tested if the manufacturer’s Certificate
of Analysis is obtained, etc., etc. You can declare materials other than processing aids to be
special materials on which you don’t have to do testing. Q7A simply says that you should
document and justify why you’re doing it.
