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:

What are the quality requirements for pharmaceutical gases?

What are the quality requirements for pharmaceutical gases?

You can view the answer here:
Read more
EMA: Update on the Guideline “Stability Testing for Variations”

EMA: Update on the Guideline “Stability Testing for Variations”

The EMA has updated the guideline on stability testing for variations (Revision 3, applicable from 15 January 2026).
Read more
EU: Proposal for Simplification of Medical Device Rules

EU: Proposal for Simplification of Medical Device Rules

The European Commission has proposed targeted reforms to simplify the Medical Device Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/745, MDR) and the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/746, IVDR) and to address structural implementation challenges.
Read more
EU: Proposal for a European Biotech Act

EU: Proposal for a European Biotech Act

The European Commission has presented a proposal for a European Biotech Act aimed at strengthening Europe’s biotechnology potential and accelerating the translation of innovation from the laboratory to the market.

Read more
EMA: Concept Paper for the Revision of Annex 3 on Radiopharmaceuticals

EMA: Concept Paper for the Revision of Annex 3 on Radiopharmaceuticals

The EMA has published a concept paper outlining a future revision of Annex 3 (Manufacture of Radiopharmaceuticals) of the EU GMP Guidelines. The paper was developed in collaboration with PIC/S and adopted by the GMDP Inspectors Working Group (IWG) at its November meeting.

Read more
EMA: Q&A on QP Certification Without Physical EU Import

EMA: Q&A on QP Certification Without Physical EU Import

The EMA has published a new Q&A addressing QP certification for batches that are neither manufactured within the EU/EEA nor intended for the EU/EEA market, and that are not physically imported into the EU/EEA.

Read more
Previous
Next