The “regulatory affairs” section comprises over 200 tasks that need to be completed during the development and approval of medical devices.
Here, you will find an overview of the most essential content so that you can get your device approved quickly.
Content
On this page, you will find articles on the following topics:
Regulatory affairs comprises the processes and activities that ensure that medical devices meet the regulatory requirements of the countries where they are sold. This includes
The tasks of regulatory affairs also include monitoring changes to regulations and standards and communicating these changes to stakeholders within the company to ensure continuous compliance.
Regulatory affairs thus plays a crucial role in ensuring that medical devices are safe, effective, and comply with legal requirements.
Refer also to the article on regulatory affairs managers’ tasks, competencies, and earning potential. This includes the task of developing a regulatory strategy.
| Laws | Medical Devices Law (no longer valid)
Medical Devices Implementation Act MPDG |
| National regulations | Medical Device Operator Ordinance (Medizinprodukte-Betreiberverordnung – MPBetreibV)
Medical Device User Notification and Information Ordinance (Medizinprodukte-Anwendermelde- und Informationsverordnung – MPAMIV) |
| EU directives (only for existing devices) | Medical Device Directive (MDD, 93/42/EEC) and its essential requirements |
| EU regulations | Medical Device Regulation MDR
In-Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (IVDR) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) AI Regulation (planned) EU AI Act |
| EU guidelines | Overview of MDCG documents
Examples
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| Harmonized standards | Overview of harmonized standards. You will find further articles on specific standards and their implementation (also) in these categories:
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| Laws | Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FD&C)
Administrative Laws (21 CFR)
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| General information | Request for Information: How the FDA helps with classification
FDA eCopy Program FDA Warning Letters and FDA Form 483 (Form 483) Software Change: What the FDA expects from you |
| Approval procedure | FDA updates “Refuse to Accept Policy” for 510(k)
The FDA Pre-Submission Program The FDA Software Precertification (Pre-Cert) Pilot Program FDA’s De Novo Program Level of Concern: What the FDA wants to achieve with this program Special 510(k): When the FDA will allow this “shortcut” Breakthrough Devices Program of the FDA |
| Requirements | FDA Human Factors Guidances
The FDA QSIT: Quality System Inspection Technique The FDA Benefit-Risk Guidance Recognized Consensus Standards of the FDA Guidance ‘Interoperable Medical Devices’ |
| see section 3.a) |
| Approval of medical devices (overview) Please also note the presentation describing the path to the CE mark as well as the articles “7 steps to a medical device” and “Approval of IVDs.“ |
| Conformity assessment procedure (assessing conformity with statutory requirements) |
| Approval in China |
| Approval China FDA / NMPA |
| Approval in Brazil |
| Approval in Japan |
| Approval Saudi Arabia (SFDA) |
| Approval South Korea |
Find more information on international approval
| Qualification as a medical device (medical device yes/no). This also includes the distinction between medicinal products and medical devices, as well as the special case of combination products. |
| Classification according to MDR Class I, IIa, IIb, III or IVDR Class A, B, C and D |
| Qualification and classification of software as a medical device |
| Classification of devices as accessories and as commodity/trade goods |
| Technical documentation (overview) |
| Intended purpose (the foundation document) |
| Instructions for use |
| Clinical evaluation of medical devices according to MEDDEV 2.7/1 rev. 4 |
| Risk management files: risk policy, risk management plan, risk analysis, risk management report |
| Usability file |
| Software file, e.g., software requirements specification, software architecture, software tests, software release. Please also note the special features of medical apps (mobile medical apps). |
| Verification and validation of medical devices |
| Unique Device Identification |
Quality management is not usually the responsibility of regulatory affairs. Nevertheless, we have listed some important articles for you.
| Steps to a certified QM system |
| Audits (especially of quality management systems) |
| Systems for Post-Market Surveillance and PMCF (Post-Market Clinical Follow-up) and vigilance |
There are several expert articles on regulatory roles:
| Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM – Bundesamt für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte) |
| German Institute for Medical Informatics (DIMDI – Deutsches Institut für medizinische Informatik); has since been integrated into the BfArM |
| DAkkS, the German accreditation body |
| State authorities: Regional councils, trade supervisory offices, governments |
| Notified bodies |
| NBOG: Notified Body Operations Group |
| MDCG: Medical Device Coordination Group |
| IMDRF: International Medical Device Regulators Forum |
The tasks of Regulatory Affairs also include finding and eliminating deviations and non-conformities. The (emergency) elimination is called remediation.
Note the advantages and disadvantages of Regulatory Information Management Systems (RIMS) and their role in manufacturers’ digital transformation.
Part of the tasks of regulatory affairs is regulatory intelligence.
Do you still have questions, for example, about the approval of your devices? Then, take advantage of our free micro-consulting service.
If you would like support in developing and “approving” your medical devices in compliance with the law, contact us right away. The Johner Institute team will be happy to help!
Manufacturers who use machine learning (ML) in their medical devices or IVDs must comply with numerous regulatory requirements. This article provides an overview of the most important regulations and best practices for implementation. It saves you the trouble of researching and reading hundreds of pages and helps you prepare perfectly for your next audit.
DetailsThe MDR contains the Classification Rule 11. This rule is especially for software. The Rule 11 has serious implications: it bears the potential to further undermine Europe’s innovation capacity. Manufacturers should familiarize themselves with the MDCG‘s interpretation to avoid misclassifying software and to be able to follow the reasoning of notified bodies and authorities. This article…
DetailsOn December 16, 2025, the European Commission published its proposal for revising the MDR and IVDR , already titled MDR 2.0 and IVDR 2.0 respectively. But will manufacturers really benefit from it? This article provides the answers.
We frequently get asked, “Do you also offer Computerized Systems Validation?” One of the reasons for the interest is certainly: Authorities and notified bodies increasingly address the Computerized Systems Validation (CSV) in audits. This article introduces regulatory requirements regarding “Computerized Systems Validation” and provides guidance on how you can best meet these requirements.
DetailsThe EU plans to replace the existing Directive 2006/66/EC with the new EU Regulation on batteries and waste batteries (“Battery Regulation”). This article clarifies,
DetailsUniversity institutions in particular regularly publish medical software as open source. This raises doubts as to whether this open-source software counts as a medical device and what regulatory and (product) liability risks are involved. This article provides a quick overview.
DetailsCombination products consist of the combination of a medical device and a medicinal product. Since both medical device and medicinal product law could be applicable here, there are some special features that must be taken into account for products of this type. In this article, you learn more about
DetailsIs there a duty for medical device manufacturers for validating ChatGPT and other LLMs that they use in the development, production, approval, and monitoring of their products? If so, how can this be achieved with models that deliver non-deterministic results? This technical article provides answers to these questions and to the question of what your…
DetailsThe EU AI Act has been published. Many manufacturers of medical devices and IVD, as well as other healthcare players, are faced with the major task of understanding the 140+ pages of legal text and complying with the requirements. Note: Infringements/violations of the AI Act are punishable by a fine of up to 7% of…
DetailsWith the eSTAR Program, the FDA aims to increase the efficiency of approval procedures (e.g., the 510(k) procedure) through digitalization. The Johner Institute is working with the FDA on the further development of eStar. This article tells you how forward-looking this approach is and whether you should or even must take part.
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