Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

MDR: Proposal for a delay due to Covid-19

The deadline of 26 May 2020 should have been the date: The European Commission's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) was supposed to come into force. Due to the Corona crisis, the European Commission is now submitting a proposal to postpone the implementation deadline.

Other organisations had already called for this step:

Medical device manufacturers have repeatedly questioned whether the deadline can be met, as there is still a lack of Notified Bodies. The introduction of laws to ensure compliance with the new product standards was also critical in terms of timing (we reported).

In a press release of 23 March 2020, MedTech Europe called for a postponement of the introduction date for MDR and IVDR. Their proposal: Six months after the crisis has been overcome, the implementation should be resumed.

In a letter of 24 March 2020, six Members of the European Parliament address the lack of resources caused by the current crisis in the following areas:

  • Approval of clinical trials
  • Notification and auditing of Notified Bodies
  • Manufacturing

The Members of Parliament are calling to maintain the current system for regulating medical devices. Health systems across Europe need all their resources to deal with the corona crisis.

The proposal for postponement should be submitted in early April and implemented as soon as possible. This information is according to a Q&A session at the European Commission press conference of 25 March 2020.


Sources:

MedTech Europe: Press release

European Commission: Letter of the European Parliament

European Commission: Q&A Press conference Covid-19 and MDR

 

Meet the GMP Compliance Adviser

The GMP Compliance Adviser is the world's largest knowledge portal for quality management in the pharma business. 

The demo access is non-binding and ends automatically.

Test it now for free

You may also be interested in the following articles:

FDA: New Draft Guidance on Impurity Specifications for Antibiotics

FDA: New Draft Guidance on Impurity Specifications for Antibiotics

The US FDA has issued a new draft guidance (April 2026) on Impurity Specifications for Antibiotics.
Read more
EDQM: Guidance on Traceability of Medicines in Hospitals

EDQM: Guidance on Traceability of Medicines in Hospitals

The EDQM has published new guidance on the traceability of medicines in hospital settings. The aim is to improve traceability up to the point of administration and strengthen patient safety.
Read more
Which Measures are Crucial for Implementation and Monitoring of Data Integrity?

Which Measures are Crucial for Implementation and Monitoring of Data Integrity?

Here's the answer:
Read more
Contamination Control Strategy (CCS) – Not Just an Extended Site Master File

Contamination Control Strategy (CCS) – Not Just an Extended Site Master File

At the GMP-PharmaCongress in Wiesbaden, GMP inspector Frank Sielaff (Regional Authority in Darmstadt, Germany) shared practical insights from recent inspections, high-lighting deficiencies in CCS implementation.

Read more
EMA/HMA: Call for Regulatory Updates for Radiopharmaceuticals

EMA/HMA: Call for Regulatory Updates for Radiopharmaceuticals

In their „Horizon Scanning Report“, EMA and HMA have recommended updates to the regulatory framework to keep pace with developments in radiopharmaceuticals. Due to their unique characteristics these products require specific regulatory and scientific approaches.
Read more
How can the Specific Requirements for Sterile Products be Taken into Account in the Quality Management System?

How can the Specific Requirements for Sterile Products be Taken into Account in the Quality Management System?

Here's the answer:
Read more
Previous
Next