8.71 Validation procedures should ensure that the effects of variations in density of the packages are considered. Sterilization with ethylene oxide 8.72 This method should only be used when no other method is practicable. During process validation it should be shown that there is no damaging effect on the product and that the conditions and time allowed for degassing to reduce any residual ethylene oxide (EO) gas and reaction products to defined acceptable limits for the type of product or material.