The FDA’s safety and performance-based pathway for 510(k) devices promises to streamline premarket filings, and the FDA’s Jason Ryans said on a recent webinar that any changes to the related product-specific guidances would be applicable only prospectively. Ryan made no mention of a grace period for impending applications, however, suggesting that any such devices may have to be reworked or resubmitted into a more conventional premarket channel if they do not meet the new requirements.
The FDA held a webinar directed toward the recent draft guidance for the accreditation scheme for conformity assessment (ASCA), but while independent labs figure to handle much of the related activity, FDA staff welcomed manufacturer's labs as well, emphasizing that the agency seeks the participation of all potentially interested parties.
Dental devices would likely strike most observers as fairly simple items, but an FDA employee said on a recent webinar that these filings have a refuse-to-accept (RTA) rate in excess of 80%, suggesting sponsors have a lot of regulatory homework to do. The FDA finalized the RTA policy for 510(k) devices in September 2019, wrapping up a draft that originated in 2012, but which is on the second iteration.