Well it depends, if RND is in house or you have a Bottler model.
What ever be it RND should be through on the process/ lines and machines to start with, where the product is being processed. They should be very clear on the limitations of the machines and all these needs to be factored during the design of the product.
In most cases the development work happens on the lab, bigger companies may have pilot plants where second level of validation and verification can be done.
In terms of documentation there will generally be documents like:
1. PFS - Product Formulation Sheet
2. GTP - Guide to Production
What ever may be the name and format of the documentation, these documentation should clearly layout the formulation, suppliers to be used, specifications of the raw materials, production parameters, physio chemical and microbiological parameters, self life data, risk assessment, trouble shooting......
This documents are provided to the production/manufacturing well in advance for review and alignment. There may need to several rounds of meeting for alignment.
Validation and verification becomes the key... on product commercialization. No matter what we know of the product via lab and pilot plant development and trials, actual trials in the line is very important - cant stress more... You may see so many surprises when you are doing the product validation on the lines. I have seen in many cases the timelines significantly changes due to the challenges observed in the first product validation.....
Line validations are generally smaller quantities and may not be intended for sale... based on the outcome of the line validation the first commercial production can be planned. If the trial validation was smooth then the handover can happen there, however is things are more complex then RnD support is needed since the first commercial production and may be after that too...
If all the boxes are ticked and the product is as per the expectation a final sign off document can be used where all parties like manufacturing/ RnD/ Marketing/ Engineering .... can sign off...
For bigger multinationals and more organised sector they may follow the process of STAGE GATE.....
However that is a separate topic for another day!!!
Regards,
Pankaj