'''Good documentation practice''' (commonly abbreviated '''GDP''', recommended to abbreviate as '''GDocP''' to distinguish from "good [[drug distribution|distribution]] practice" also abbreviated GDP) is a term in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries to describe standards by which [[document]]s are created and maintained. While some GDP / GDocP standards are [[Codification (law)|codified]] by various [[Competent authority|competent authorities]], others are not but are considered [[Good manufacturing practice|cGMP]] (with emphasis on the "c", or "current"). Some competent authorities release or adopt [[guidelines]], and they may include non-codified GDP / GDocP expectations. While not law, authorities will inspect against these guidelines and cGMP expectations in addition to the legal requirements and make comments or observations if departures are seen.
In the past years, the application of GDocP is also expanding to cosmetic industry, excipient and ingredient manufacturers.
