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:
- What regulatory affairs is
- Regulatory requirements
- Authorization and documentation
- Authorities, institutions, and associations
- Further topics of regulatory affairs
1. What regulatory affairs is
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
- obtaining the necessary approvals from the regulatory authorities,
- compliance with applicable regulations and standards, and
- maintaining conformity throughout the entire product life cycle until decommissioning.
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.
Further information
Refer also to the article on regulatory affairs managers’ tasks, competencies, and earning potential. This includes the task of developing a regulatory strategy.
2. Regulatory requirements
a) Germany
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Medical Devices Law (no longer valid)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) |
b) Europe
c) USA
d) Other markets
3. Approval and documentation
a) Approval
Find more information on international approval
b) Qualification and classification (How should my device be classified?)
c) Technical documentation (What do I need to document for each device?)
d) Quality management (What should your company fulfill?)
Quality management is not usually the responsibility of regulatory affairs. Nevertheless, we have listed some important articles for you.
4. Authorities, institutions, and associations
a) Germany
b) Europe
c) International
IMDRF: International Medical Device Regulators Forum |
5. Regulatory affairs: Further topics
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.
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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 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, 1. Background a) Objective With the Battery Regulation, the EU aims to modernize the legal framework for batteries. The regulation is a response to calls for a comprehensive revision and expansion…
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Combination 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 1. What are combination products? a)…
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In order to evaluate the biocompatibility of standard materials, medical device manufacturers can, in most cases, avoid animal testing. In recent years, the Johner Institute had always succeeded in showing alternatives to animal testing, even when authorities and notified bodies demanded them. Learn here how you can contribute to animal welfare, save money, and bring…
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A German medical technology industry analysis from 2020 estimated the market for medical devices in South Korea at USD 6.7 billion. Due to an annual growth rate of imports of (estimated) 10% and the increasing aging of the population with a simultaneous increase in basic medical care, the South Korean market is expected to grow…
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Only through clinical evidence – real evidence – can manufacturers prove their medical devices’ safety, performance, and benefit. But when is proof valid enough? In other words, when is there sufficient clinical evidence for authorities and notified bodies to accept? This article answers the questions and provides a compact introduction to the topic of “clinical…
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EUDAMED is the European database for medical devices. However, it is not only used to manage medical devices. The Medical Device Regulation (MDR) relies on EUDAMED and determines which requirements must be stored in this database. These regulations affect the work of manufacturers and also the work of authorities and notified bodies. 1. Which purpose…
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A design change is a change in the design of a product. It is important to understand what regulatory implications arise from this and where there may be an impact on the validity of the product’s declaration of conformity. This article provides an overview and thus resolves many currently common misconceptions. 1. Design change: What it means…
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PMCF studies are studies that manufacturers use as part of Post-Market Clinical Follow-up (PMCF) to continuously demonstrate compliance of their medical devices. Manufacturers do not always need to conduct studies to meet PMCF requirements. And not all types of PMCF studies are subject to MDR requirements. This article compactly summarizes the regulatory requirements in the…
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Medical device manufacturers have high expectations of Regulatory Information Management Systems (RIMS). The costs and efforts involved are immense and usually much higher than expected. The benefits, on the other hand, are not clear. This article will give you some hints, 1. Definition: RIMS 2. Goals of RIMS Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers expect several…
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The EU regulations the MDR and IVDR set out precise requirements for importers. And they also define who is an importer. Bringing a device into the EU does not always constitute an import. And, furthermore, companies that import medical devices don’t just have to meet the requirements established for importers. 1. What is an importer?…
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