SOUP is an acronym for “Software of Unknown Provenance“. The IEC 62304 defines a SOUP as as a software item:
“that is already developed and generally available and that has not been developed for the purpose of being incorporated into the MEDICAL DEVICE (also known as “off- the-shelf software”) or SOFTWARE ITEM previously developed for which adequate records of the development PROCESSES are not available”
Please mind, that the term SOUP is not quite equivalent to the term OTS of the FDA.
Pay particular attention to this article on the similarities and differences between SOUP and OTS. It also presents the regulatory requirements for SOUP and OTS software and provides tips on selecting and using them.
Do you need support in evaluating COTS, OTSS, or SOUP to comply safely with the requirements of European and US regulations? Then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We will answer, even free of charge, in our micro-consulting service.
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DetailsBoth the FDA and IEC 62304 recognize software developed by third parties. They refer to Off-the-Shelf Software (OTS) and Software Of Unknown Provenance (SOUP). What is the difference between OTS and SOUP? What do they have in common? What legal requirements do they have to meet? This article provides answers. 1. SOUP and OTS: definition…
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