Amendments to medical device regulations in Ireland

The long-awaited revisions to the Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC (MDD) and the Directive for Active Implantable Medical Devices 90/385/EEC (AIMD) were adopted by the European Parliament on 29 March 2007. These amendments are contained in Medical Device Directive 2007/47/EC (the 2007 Directive), which was published in the Official Journal of the EU on the 21 September 2007. The genesis of the changes stemmed from a 2001 review of the MDD.

A report was published in 2002 where it was concluded that although the framework contained in the MDD worked well in general terms, it could be improved. Following this report, the European Commission, competent authorities within member states and industry have worked to bring about these improvements over the past several years. After consideration of the suggested amendments, the European Parliament adopted the 2007 Directive on 29 March 2007.

In Ireland, as an EU member state, the 2007 Directive became mandatory on 21 March 2010. The changes brought by the 2007 Directive and their impact for medical devices manufacturers is of particular interest in Ireland because it is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of medical technology in Europe.1 Ireland has over 140 medical technology companies, exporting €6.2bn worth of products annually and employing approximately 24,000 people, which is the highest number of people working in the industry in any country in Europe per head of population.2 Exports of medical devices and diagnostics products now represent nearly 10% of Ireland’s total exports.3 For these reasons it is certainly understandable why amendments to the EU directives governing this industry would be of particular interest, not just to the industry, but to the country as a whole.

This article discusses the major changes ushered in by the 2007 Directive and how it will affect many manufacturers in the medical device sector, and how some of the changes will affect the authorities. The changes listed are by no means an exhaustive list of the amendments. The 2007 Directive is a lengthy document (35 pages), which is difficult to comprehend because it only details the changes made to the MDD and the AIMD. As such, it is recommended that the 2007 Directive is read alongside the MDD and AIMD. The 2007 Directive does, however, provide justifications for the amendments adopted, which gives assistance in interpreting the changes.

Who will be affected by the amendments?

All device manufacturers will be affected, at least partially, by the amendments. For instance, manufacturers will be impacted by the fact that all devices will now require clinical investigation or data, including for Class 1 devices. In addition to manufacturers, the changes will also impact authorities in areas such as transparency and co-operation between member states. Most interesting is the implementation of some clauses that increase the Commission’s authority and permit it to make further changes to the directives through a more abbreviated process. This means that further changes to the 2007 Directive could be made if the Commission deems it necessary to address specific issues.

What are the major changes to the MDD?

Classification changes (Annex IX of MDD)

Some of the definitions and classification rules have been changed, which may impact on the classification of the medical devices and result in a change of classification. For example, the definition of ‘central circulatory system’ now includes the vessels of the aortic arch and the descending aorta to the aortic bifurcation. Any device that comes into contact with these vessels will now be considered a Class 3 device. Also, the definition of ‘continuous use’ now includes circumstances in which a device, after discontinuation or removal, is replaced immediately by the same or with an identical device.

Of particular interest is the amendment that classifies standalone software as an active medical device. Software validation will also be an essential requirement under Annex 1.

Clinical data and investigation (Annex X of MDD/Annex 7 AIMD)

All devices will now require clinical data including Class 1 devices. More stringent requirements are imposed regarding what may constitute ‘clinical evidence’ and stronger enforcement by authorities is mandated. Annex X of the MDD and Annex 7 of the AIMD have also been significantly amended to include that a requirement for clinical investigation on MDD Class III devices, implantable products and AIMD products, unless it is ‘duly justified’ that the clinical data is sufficient. The impact of this change will be an increased requirement for clinical studies both at the pre- and post-market stages.

Combination devices

The amendments provide clarification as to the roles and responsibilities between the notified body, the competent authority and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). A timeline of 210 days is allowed for the competent authority or EMEA to deliver its final decision. In addition, devices that incorporate human tissue, blood or plasma will now fall within the scope of Directive 2001/83/EC and shall be considered as a Class III device.

Dangerous substances

There has been an expansion of the requirement that devices must be designed and manufactured in such a way as to minimally reduce the risks posed by substances leaking from the device that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction. The AIMD requirement for the minimisation of risks in connection with ionising radiation has also been updated to reference 96/29/Euratom and 97/43/Euratom in Annex 1.

E-labelling

In the future the Commission may permit emailing for alternative methods of delivering information for use (IFUs) based on an abbreviated regulatory procedure outside the EU legislative process.

Ergonomics (human factors)

With regards to labelling and also to the essential requirements in Annex 1, the user is now the key factor to be considered.

Labelling

There are many changes that will effect labelling. These included labelling requirements for:

  • devices that contain phthalates;
  • devices that are for single use; and
  • devices that contain human blood derivatives, providing information regarding authorised representative (AR), where applicable, on the product labels and on IFUs.
Notified bodies

Notified bodies will be required to perform inspections on design documentation for a representative sample of devices employing industry standard statistical techniques and ‘commensurate’ with the risk of the device.

Post-marketing clinical follow-up

Manufacturers will now be required to actively update clinical evaluation in documentation with post market surveillance data.

Risk management

There are additional requirements in the 2007 Directive that could potentially impact risk management documents, including, for example, those for dangerous substances, risk, ergonomic features of the device and re-use of single use devices.

Records retention

It is now required that records be maintained for inspection by competent authorities for the ‘useful life of the product’ or either five years from the date of manufacture for non-implantable devices and 15 years for implantable devices, whichever is longer.

EC certificates

EC certificates now have a maximum validity period of five years. Notified bodies may require that these certificates are updated to include reference to the Directive.

Outsourcing design and third party manufacturing

If the manufacture, design, or inspection of a device is to be performed by a third party, it must be demonstrated that adequate controls are in place to ensure the continued effective operation of the quality system through appropriate controls applied to the third party.

Custom-made devices (Annex VIII MDD/Annex 6 AIMD)

Custom made devices in Class IIa, IIb and III, and AIMD devices requires that the statement ‘drawn up’ by the manufacturer must be handed over to the patient. In addition, all custom made devices will require a post market surveillance system that reports to the competent authorities. New requirements for information contained within the manufacturer’s statements have also been implemented.

Authorised representative (AR)

The appointment of an AR it is now explicitly noted. An AR for all classes of devices and AIMD devices is required. The AR has an explicit mandate to act and to be contacted, in lieu, of the manufacturer in terms of satisfying the obligations of the directives for those manufacturers who do not have a registered place of business within the EU. Non-EU manufacturers shall designate a single AR per device.

Comment

It should also be noted that the 2007 Directive also changes internal Commission procedures, modifications to improve existing wording or updating references that are not discussed in this article. For a comprehensive list of changes, please refer to the consolidated version of the directives respectively as follows:

  • MDD (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1993L0042:20071011:en:PDF). This incorporates all the changes implemented through the Directive and the specific changes are marked by the symbol – M5.
  • AIMD (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1990L0385:20071011:EN:PDF). This incorporates all the changes implemented through the 2007 Directive and the specific changes are marked by the symbol – M4.

Notes

  1. ‘Outlook 2010’, Life Sciences Review Ireland – Business & Finance (Issue 1, 2010).
  2. Irish Medical Device Association Statement of Strategy 2008-2011.
  3. Id.