Standards

Professional hero banner illustrating the ISO 14971 risk management process for medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, showing the eight stages of risk management including planning, hazard identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation, risk control, residual risk evaluation, risk management reporting and post-production monitoring to support compliance with the EU MDR, EU IVDR and UK Medical Devices Regulations.

ISO 14971 Risk Management for Medical Devices and IVDs

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ISO 14971 provides the internationally recognised framework for identifying hazards, evaluating risks, implementing effective risk controls and monitoring safety throughout the lifecycle of a medical device or in vitro diagnostic device.

This comprehensive guide explains how manufacturers can apply ISO 14971:2019 in practice, maintain a compliant Risk Management File and demonstrate conformity with the EU MDR, EU IVDR and UK Medical Devices Regulations.

ISO 14971 Risk Management for Medical Devices and IVDs Read More »

Illustration showing the biological evaluation of a medical device under ISO 10993, highlighting the risk-based process from the Biological Evaluation Plan (BEP) through biological assessment, Biological Evaluation Report (BER), Post-Market Surveillance (PMS), and integration with ISO 14971 Risk Management throughout the medical device lifecycle.

Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices: Complete ISO 10993 Guide

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Biological Evaluation is a risk-based process used to demonstrate that a medical device is biologically safe for its intended clinical use. This complete guide explains how ISO 10993 supports Biological Evaluation, when biocompatibility testing is required, how Biological Evaluation Plans (BEPs) and Biological Evaluation Reports (BERs) are developed, and how Biological Evaluation integrates with Risk Management and Clinical Evaluation throughout the device lifecycle.

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Professional illustration of the CE marking process for medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, showing technical documentation, risk management, clinical evaluation, quality management, an EU Declaration of Conformity and a CE marked medical device under the EU MDR 2017/745 and IVDR 2017/746.

CE Marking Medical Devices: A Complete Guide to EU MDR & IVDR Compliance

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CE marking demonstrates that a medical device or in vitro diagnostic medical device complies with the applicable requirements of the EU Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745) or In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Regulation (IVDR 2017/746). This guide explains the CE marking process, device classification, conformity assessment, technical documentation, clinical and performance evaluation, Notified Body involvement, post-market surveillance and the steps manufacturers must complete before placing a device on the European market.

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Skin Irritation Testing in the biological evaluation of medical devices (ISO 10993-23)

ISO 10993-23 Skin Irritation Testing Explained: Methods, Requirements and Regulatory Expectations

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Skin irritation occurs when a substance causes inflammation or damage to the skin upon contact. For medical devices, this can be a serious concern, as they are often in prolonged contact with the skin. The consequences of not adequately testing for irritation can range from minor redness to severe dermatitis, leading to discomfort, injury, or even infection in users. Therefore, reliable testing methods are crucial to ensure that products are safe before they reach the market.

ISO 10993-23 Skin Irritation Testing Explained: Methods, Requirements and Regulatory Expectations Read More »

Cytotoxicity Testing in Medial Devices ISO 10993-5

Cytotoxicity Testing in Medical Device Biological Evaluation

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In the highly regulated world of medical devices, ensuring patient safety is paramount. One of the essential components of this safety assurance is cytotoxicity testing, specifically adhering to ISO 10993-5 standards. This blog explores the importance of ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity testing, particularly for medical devices that come into direct contact with patients, and how it contributes to the overall safety and efficacy of these devices.

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E&L Testing in medical devices

ISO 10993 Extractables and Leachables Testing: Chemical Characterisation and Toxicological Risk Assessment

Blog, EU Regulations, Medical Device Pre-launch, Medical Device Validation, Standards, USA Regulations /

In medical device design and development and manufacturing, ensuring the safety and biocompatibility of products is paramount. As part of the biological evaluation process, extractables and leachables (E&L) testing plays a crucial role. This testing ensures that any chemicals that might migrate from the device materials into the body do not pose a risk to patients. The ISO 10993 standard series provides comprehensive guidelines for the biological evaluation of medical devices, including protocols for E&L testing. In this blog, we will delve into the importance of extractables and leachables testing, its procedures, and its relevance within the ISO 10993 framework.

ISO 10993 Extractables and Leachables Testing: Chemical Characterisation and Toxicological Risk Assessment Read More »

Patient Guard hero image illustrating the core elements of an ISO 13485 Quality Management System, including leadership, document control, risk management, design and development, supplier management, validation, internal audits, CAPA and continual improvement for medical device manufacturers.

Understanding the core elements of Quality Management Systems

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In today’s competitive marketplace, delivering high-quality products and services is essential for business success. A Quality Management System (QMS) is a structured framework that helps organizations ensure they meet customer requirements and enhance customer satisfaction. But what are the fundamental elements that constitute a robust QMS? In this blog, we will explore the basic components that form the backbone of effective quality management systems.

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Hero image comparing ISO 13485 and the FDA Quality System Regulation (21 CFR Part 820/QMSR), illustrating the key differences between international and US medical device quality management systems, including risk management, design controls, documentation, supplier management and regulatory compliance.

5 Differences Between ISO 13485 & FDAs Medical Device QSR

Blog, Quality Assurance, Quality Management, Standards, USA Regulations /

Medical device manufacturers face a daunting task: navigating complex regulatory landscapes to ensure their products meet safety and quality standards. In order to sell products in the US, manufacturers are required to comply with CFR 21 Part 820, whereas for global markets, the voluntary ISO 13485 is used. These two standards are not the same, and companies must understand the differences between them if they are to get their products to market across regions. However, with the FDA actively working to align CFR 21 Part 820 more closely with ISO 13485, the effort toward global harmonization is a promising sign for medical device manufacturers.

5 Differences Between ISO 13485 & FDAs Medical Device QSR Read More »

Hero image illustrating IEC 62366-1 usability engineering for medical devices, showing healthcare professionals evaluating a medical device to support user-centred design, human factors engineering, usability testing, risk management and patient safety throughout the product lifecycle.

IEC 62366-1 Explained: Medical Device Usability Engineering Guide

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Learn how IEC 62366-1 helps medical device and IVD manufacturers design safer, more intuitive products through usability engineering. Discover the usability engineering process, human factors, formative and summative evaluations, usability files and regulatory expectations under the MDR, IVDR and FDA.

IEC 62366-1 Explained: Medical Device Usability Engineering Guide Read More »

Regulatory workspace illustrating EU MDR Article 120 transitional provisions, featuring a transition timeline, key MDR deadlines calendar, Regulation (EU) 2017/745 open to Article 120, legacy medical device technical documentation, ISO 13485 Quality Management System files, CE-marked medical device packaging, transition compliance checklist and project plan for MDR compliance.

EU MDR Article 120 Explained: Transitional Provisions and Extended Deadlines

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Article 120 of the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) introduced transitional provisions allowing certain legacy devices to remain on the market beyond the original MDR application date. However, these extended deadlines are only available to manufacturers that satisfy specific regulatory conditions. This guide explains how Article 120 works, which devices qualify, the current transition deadlines, what constitutes a significant change, and the practical steps manufacturers should take to maintain compliance under the EU MDR.

EU MDR Article 120 Explained: Transitional Provisions and Extended Deadlines Read More »

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