(a) Each study shall have an approved written protocol that clearly indicates the objectives and all methods for the conduct of the study. The protocol shall contain but shall not necessarily be limited to the following information:

(1) A descriptive title and statement of the purpose of the study.

(2) Identification of the test, control, and reference substance by name, chemical abstracts service (CAS) number or code number.

(3) The name and address of the sponsor and the name and address of the testing facility at which the study is being conducted.

(4) The proposed experimental start and termination dates.

(5) Justification for selection of the test system.

(6) Where applicable, the number, body weight, sex, source of supply, species, strain, substrain, and age of the test system.

(7) The procedure for identification of the test system.

(8) A description of the experimental design, including methods for the control of bias.

(9) Where applicable, a description and/or identification of the diet used in the study as well as solvents, emulsifiers and/or other materials used to solubilize or suspend the test, control, or reference substances before mixing with the carrier. The description shall include specifications for acceptable levels of contaminants that are reasonably expected to be present in the dietary materials and are known to be capable of interfering with the purpose or conduct of the study if present at levels greater than established by the specifications.

(10) The route of administration and the reason for its choice.

(11) Each dosage level, expressed in milligrams per kilogram of body or test system weight or other appropriate units, of the test, control, or reference substance to be administered and the method and frequency of administration.

(12) The type and frequency of tests, analyses, and measurements to be made.

(13) The records to be maintained.

(14) The date of approval of the protocol by the sponsor and the dated signature of the study director.

(15) A statement of the proposed statistical method.

(b) All changes in or revisions of an approved protocol and the reasons therefor shall be documented, signed by the study director, dated, and maintained with the protocol.

(a) The study shall be conducted in accordance with the protocol.

(b) The test systems shall be monitored in conformity with the protocol.

(c) Specimens shall be identified by test system, study, nature, and date of collection. This information shall be located on the specimen container or shall accompany the specimen in a manner that precludes error in the recording and storage of data.

(d) In animal studies where histopathology is required, records of gross findings for a specimen from postmortem observations shall be available to a pathologist when examining that specimen histopathologically.

(e) All data generated during the conduct of a study, except those that are generated by automated data collection systems, shall be recorded directly, promptly, and legibly in ink. All data entries shall be dated on the day of entry and signed or initialed by the person entering the data. Any change in entries shall be made so as not to obscure the original entry, shall indicate the reason for such change, and shall be dated and signed or identified at the time of the change. In automated data collection systems, the individual responsible for direct data input shall be identified at the time of data input. Any change in automated data entries shall be made so as not to obscure the original entry, shall indicate the reason for change, shall be dated, and the responsible individual shall be identified.

(a) All provisions of the GLPs shall apply to physical and chemical characterization studies designed to determine stability, solubility, octanol water partition coefficient, volatility, and persistence (such as biodegradation, photodegradation, and chemical degradation studies).

(b) The following GLP standards shall not apply to studies designed to determine physical and chemical characteristics of a test, control, or reference substance: