New Approved Bodies are welcome but more still to be done

Head of Regulatory Affairs at InnoScot Health, Elaine Gemmell, believes greater resources must be deployed after three new UK Approved regulatory Bodies to certify medical devices were announced. 

The announcement of three new UK Approved Bodies to certify medical devices is undoubtedly a positive step – but it is my firm opinion that more resources are still needed.

I believe that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) moving to add the new bodies to its roster is to be welcomed.

However, I also believe that whilst now having seven approved bodies in place is a further step in the right direction which will enable quicker certification of medical devices for healthcare professionals and the public, there are still clear resource issues that need to be addressed.

TÜV SÜD, Intertek, and TÜV Rheinland UK have joined the four current UK Approved Bodies, almost doubling current capacity for the certification of safe and effective medical devices in the UK.

TÜV SÜD and Intertek will assess and certify general medical devices in accordance with Part II of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002. 

TÜV Rheinland UK will do the same but will further assess and certify in-vitro diagnostics in accordance with Part IV.

The trio now sit alongside existing bodies BSI Assurance UK, DEKRA Certification UK, SGS United Kingdom and UL International in conducting conformity assessments.

There’s no doubt in my mind that these additional Approved Bodies are much needed and will bolster UKCA certification capacity following Britain’s legislative cut-off from Europe during Brexit. It is also positive that EU Notified Bodies TÜV SÜD, Intertek, and TÜV Rheinland UK are being designated as UK Approved Bodies, demonstrating confidence in our system.

But with CE marking still being allowed for device submissions to the British market, three new Approved Bodies is not yet enough to bolster UKCA certification capabilities ahead of the CE mark transition deadline, and the focus on that will only continue to intensify.

It is simply not sufficient to support manufacturers who are trying to bring their products to the UK.

Last month it was announced that a grace period for the acceptance of CE marked medical devices in Great Britain has been extended until 30 June 2028 for general medical devices compliant with the EU medical devices directive. For general medical devices, including custom-made devices, compliant with the EU medical devices regulation, the deadline will be 30 June 2030.

The announcement of three new approved bodies also deflects from the far bigger issues of the ongoing uncertainty around new medical devices legislation, when it will apply, what will be required, and the continued recognition of CE marks.