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| Laws | Medical Devices Law (no longer valid)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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Here, you will find an article on the tasks and competencies of regulatory affairs managers.
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!
The classification of in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) can have far-reaching consequences, as it has an impact on the conformity assessment procedure, certification audits, and, thus, on market launch. To help you prevent the unnecessary allocation of your IVD product to a high-risk class, this article provides an overview of 1. What qualifies a product as an…
DetailsAccessibility refers to the design of products and services that can also be used by people with physical limitations. The term “products and services” encompasses both physical and digital products and services. This also includes medical devices (physical devices, apps, other standalone software). This article explains which accessibility requirements manufacturers of medical devices should be…
DetailsIn December 2021, the EU extended the transitional periods of Regulation 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) (Regulation 2022/112). In March 2023, the European Commission decided to abolish the “sell-off period” for IVDs that comply with Directive 98/79/EC (IVDD) (Regulation 2023/607). In January 2024, the European Commission published a proposal to amend the IVDR, which further extends…
DetailsOrphan medical devices are medical devices (and IVDs) for small patient groups. The development of these niche products is often not profitable for manufacturers. As a result, particularly vulnerable groups, such as children, do not always receive adequate medical care. This article shows possible solutions and classifies the guideline MDCG 2024-10. 1. Orphan medical device:…
DetailsThe SSCP (Summary of Safety and Clinical Performance) is not the only report that the MDR requires from many medical device manufacturers. In terms of content, the SSCP even overlaps with the PSUR and the PMS reports. The IVDR places almost identical requirements on the SSP (Summary of Safety and Performance). How do all these…
DetailsManufacturers who wish to place medical devices on the market in the EU must comply with the European Medical Device Regulation MDR. This Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on Medical Devices, as it is officially titled, also imposes requirements on notified bodies, distributors, importers, and health institutions such as hospitals. 1. Overview of the MDR requirements 1.1…
DetailsPoor instructions for use are a common cause of use errors that can result in harm to patients and users. Furthermore, instructions for use for medical devices and IVDs are subject to strict regulatory requirements. The MDR, the IVDR, the FDA and numerous standards establish specific requirements for the instructions for use. This article will…
DetailsEU Regulation 2017/745 (MDR) establishes the general requirements for instructions for use (IFU). Whether they can also be provided in electronic form (eIFU) is regulated by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2226. We have summarized the requirements for electronic instructions for use for you. 1. Requirements for the use of electronic instructions for use According to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2226,…
DetailsThe standard ISO 15223-1, regulates the symbols that manufacturers are permitted to/must use for labeling medical devices. In January 2022, the EU Commission harmonized EN ISO 15223-1 as one of relatively few standards under the MDR and added it to the list of harmonized standards. This alone makes it clear how relevant labeling has become. …
DetailsThe correct and precise formulation of the intended purpose of medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD) is crucial for their successful development and approval. However, even the definitions of terms and the distinction between intended purpose and intended use make it difficult to achieve clarity and precision. This article reveals how to…
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