Visual Inspection

Direct observation assessment

Health Canada states that visual inspection "is a qualititative method of evaluating equipment cleanliness and involves verifying that equipment is free of visible residue and foreign material at product changeover."
EU defines visual inspecton as the review of equipment after cleaning procedures have been performed and dried to ensure no residue is visible. Visual inspection allows for detection of gross contamination found in hard to detect or small areas where sampling alone would go undetected. Discolored surfaces, worn parts, and solid residues should all be considered during a visual inspection. It is typically used when cleaning validation is not required.