The European Commission (EC) posted a new explanatory note on Tuesday that provides guidance on the codes set under the European In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) to define the notified body (NB) scope of designation and qualification required for assessing a device. The clarifications explain how to use the different levels of codes to guide the proper allocation of resources, citing the anticipated challenges with limited experience and competency of NBs.

The European Commission (EC) unveiled on Monday its new joint implementation and preparedness plan for the European Union’s In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR). It sets forth priority actions, noting “the implementation of the IVDR has proven to be a very challenging task,” exacerbated in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic “despite the efforts undertaken by all” to transition.

The official compliance date for the European Union’s Medical Device Regulation (MDR) is now officially in force after a delay of two years. One of a number of unfortunate side effects is that the mutual recognition agreement (MRA) between the EU and the Swiss government has lapsed, and the European Commission has indicated that the two sides have not come to terms over the impasse.

PERTH, Australia – As D-Day approaches for the European Medical Device Regulations (MDR), Australia is also nearing completion of implementing its own medical device reforms, which closely mirror the EU MDR. “We had to look at aligning as close as possible with the EU system, but we’ve had to align with a moving, incomplete and delayed target, and the TGA asked us to move ahead of the EU reforms,” said John Skerritt, deputy secretary, Health Products Regulation for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), during the recent Ausmedtech virtual conference.

PARIS – One month before the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) comes into force in the EU, the European Association of Notified Bodies (Team-NB) has released the results of its latest annual survey. This survey of CE-marked medical devices compiled data from 26 notified bodies who were members of Team-NB at the end of 2020. According to Team-NB’s 2020 survey, a total of 18,784 valid CE certificates had been issued by last year, representing an increase of 35% over 2010.

The implementation date for the European Union’s In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) is a mere 16 months away, although there is widespread interest in a delayed implementation date. Nonetheless, Warren Jameson, principal regulatory consultant for North American Science Associates (NAMSA) of Toledo, Ohio, urged test makers to conduct a gap analysis of the conformity of their currently marketed tests to the new regulations because a large percentage of the underlying dossiers would not pass muster under the terms of the new regulatory regime.

According to the Swiss association for medical technology companies, Swiss Medtech, introducing the new European regulations for medical devices (MDR) and in vitro diagnostics (IVDR) is going to have serious consequences for the sector in Switzerland. This Swiss trade association has just published its biannual survey as part of the 2020 sector study on the Swiss medical technology industry (SMTI).

LONDON – The European Parliament gave its full backing to the emergency measure to delay the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), voting by 693 to 1 in favor of postponing implementation from May 26 this year, to May 26, 2021. The delay will “allow health authorities and manufacturers alike to prioritize the fight against the coronavirus pandemic” by keeping existing procedures in place, the parliament said in a statement.

LONDON – The European Commission has published new guidelines on cybersecurity for medical devices, putting flesh on the bones of the requirements in the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) that comes into force in May.