How often should SOPs be reviewed for continued relevance?

• A. Only when an incident occurs.
• B. Never need review.
• C. Weekly reviews regardless of changes.
• D. At defined intervals (e.g., annually) or when changes in regulations, processes, or risk occur.

Answer: (D)

Regular maintenance of SOPs relies on both scheduled checks and prompt updates when things change. The correct approach says to review at defined intervals (like annually) and to revise when regulations, processes, or risk levels shift. This keeps procedures accurate, compliant, and aligned with how work actually happens. Waiting for an incident invites outdated steps to persist and misses evolving requirements. Never reviewing them ignores the need for updates, and reviewing weekly without a real change driver wastes resources. By combining a set review cadence with change-triggered updates, you maintain relevant, usable SOPs that reflect current practices and compliance needs.