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Document 52013AP0428

Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 22 October 2013 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on medical devices, and amending Directive 2001/83/EC, Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 and Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (COM(2012)0542 — C7-0318/2012 — 2012/0266(COD))

IO C 208, 10.6.2016, p. 310–473 (BG, ES, CS, DA, DE, ET, EL, EN, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, FI, SV)

10.6.2016   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 208/310


P7_TA(2013)0428

Medical devices ***I

Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 22 October 2013 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on medical devices, and amending Directive 2001/83/EC, Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 and Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (COM(2012)0542 — C7-0318/2012 — 2012/0266(COD)) (1)

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2016/C 208/20)

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(1a)

The desire to provide swift access to new medical devices for patients should never take precedence over the need to ensure patient safety.

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(2)

This Regulation aims to ensure the functioning of the internal market as regards medical devices, taking as a base a high level of protection of health. At the same time, this Regulation sets high standards of quality and safety for medical devices to meet common safety concerns as regards these products. Both objectives are being pursued simultaneously and are inseparably linked whilst one not being secondary to the other. As regards Article 114 TFEU, this Regulation harmonises the rules for the placing on the market and putting into service of medical devices and their accessories on the Union market which may then benefit from the principle of free movement of goods. As regards Article 168(4)(c) TFEU, this Regulation sets high standards of quality and safety for those medical devices by ensuring, among other things, that data generated in clinical investigations is reliable and robust and that the safety of the subjects participating in a clinical investigation is protected.

(2)

This Regulation aims to ensure the functioning of the internal market as regards medical devices, taking as a base a high level of protection of health for patients, users and operators . At the same time, this Regulation sets high standards of quality and safety for medical devices to meet common safety concerns as regards these products. Both objectives are being pursued simultaneously and are inseparably linked whilst one not being secondary to the other. As regards Article 114 TFEU, this Regulation harmonises the rules for the placing on the market and putting into service of medical devices and their accessories on the Union market which may then benefit from the principle of free movement of goods. As regards Article 168(4)(c) TFEU, this Regulation sets high standards of quality and safety for those medical devices by ensuring, among other things, that data generated in clinical investigations is reliable and robust and that the safety of the subjects participating in a clinical investigation is protected.

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2 a (new)sentence 1 (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(2a)

Council Directive 2010/32/EU  (2) guarantees safety not just for patients but also for users of sharp needles.

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2 a (new)sentence 2 (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council  (3) states that tests on vertebrate animals must be replaced, restricted or refined.

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(3)

Key elements of the existing regulatory approach, such as the supervision of notified bodies, conformity assessment procedures, clinical investigations and clinical evaluation, vigilance and market surveillance should be significantly reinforced, whilst provisions ensuring transparency and traceability regarding devices should be introduced, to improve health and safety.

(3)

Key elements of the existing regulatory approach, such as the supervision of notified bodies, conformity assessment procedures, clinical investigations and clinical evaluation, vigilance and market surveillance should be significantly reinforced, whilst provisions ensuring transparency and traceability regarding devices should be introduced, to improve health and safety for health professionals, patients, users and operators, including in the waste disposal chain .

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(3a)

In the area of medical devices many SMEs are active. This should be taken into account when regulating the sector without compromising the safety and health aspects.

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(7)

The scope of application of this Regulation should be clearly delimited from other Union harmonisation legislation concerning products, such as in vitro diagnostic medical devices, medicinal products, cosmetics and food. Therefore, Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law , establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety should be amended to exclude medical devices from its scope.

(7)

The scope of application of this Regulation should be clearly delimited from other Union harmonisation legislation concerning products, such as in vitro diagnostic medical devices, medicinal products, cosmetics and food. Since in some cases it is difficult to distinguish between medical devices and cosmetic, medicinal or food products, the possibility to take an Union-wide decision regarding the regulatory status of a product should be introduced in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council  (28) , Directive 2004/27/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council  (29) , Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council  (30) and Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council  (31) . Those Union acts should therefore be amended.

Amendment 8

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(7a)

A multidisciplinary Medical Device Advisory Committee (MDAC) composed of experts and representatives of the relevant stakeholders should be set up to provide scientific advice to the Commission, the Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) and Member States on issues of medical technology, regulatory status of devices and other aspects of implementation of this Regulation as necessary.

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 8

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(8)

It should be the responsibility of the Member States to decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not a product falls within the scope of this Regulation. If necessary, the Commission may decide, on a case-by-case basis, whether or not a product falls within the definition of a medical device or of an accessory to a medical device. Since in some cases it is difficult to distinguish between medical devices and cosmetic products, the possibility to take an EU-wide decision regarding the regulatory status of a product should also be introduced in Regulation No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

(8)

In order to ensure consistent classification across all Member States, particularly with regards to borderline cases, it should be the responsibility of the Commission, having consulted the MDCG and the MDAC, to decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not a product or groups of products fall within the scope of this Regulation. Member States should also have the possibility to request the Commission to take a decision on the appropriate regulatory status of a product, or category or group of products.

Amendment 10

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 11 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(11a)

Unregulated non-intrusive devices, such as non-corrective contact lenses for cosmetic purposes, can cause health complications — such as Microbial Keratitus — when manufactured or used incorrectly. Appropriate safety standards must be in place to protect the safety of consumers who decide to use such products.

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(12)

Like for products that contain viable tissues or cells of human or animal origin, that are explicitly excluded from Directives 90/385/EEC and 93/42/EEC and hence from this Regulation, it should be clarified that products that contain living biological substances of other origin are also not covered by this Regulation.

(12)

Like for products that contain viable tissues or cells of human or animal origin, that are explicitly excluded from Directives 90/385/EEC and 93/42/EEC and hence from this Regulation, it should be clarified that products that contain living biological substances of other origin that achieve their intended purpose by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means are also not covered by this Regulation.

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(12a)

Devices for use in blood donation and blood therapy should meet the requirements laid down in Directive 2002/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council  (4) .

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(12b)

The advertising of cosmetic surgery should be better regulated, in order to ensure that patients are fully aware of the risks as well as the benefits.

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 13

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(13)

There is scientific uncertainty about the risks and benefits of nanomaterials used for medical devices. In order to ensure a high level of health protection, free movement of goods and legal certainty for manufacturers, it is necessary to introduce a uniform definition for nanomaterials based on Commission Recommendation 2011/696/EU of 18 October 2011 on the definition of nanomaterial, with the necessary flexibility to adapt this definition to scientific and technical progress and subsequent regulatory development at Union and international level. In the design and manufacture of medical devices, the manufacturers should take special care when using nanoparticles that can be released to the human body and those devices should be subject to the most severe conformity assessment procedure.

(13)

There is scientific uncertainty about the risks and benefits of nanomaterials used for medical devices. In order to ensure a high level of health and safety protection for health professionals, operators and patients, as well as free movement of goods, legal certainty for manufacturers and responsibility on their part , it is necessary to introduce a uniform definition for nanomaterials based on Commission Recommendation 2011/696/EU of 18 October 2011 on the definition of nanomaterial, with the necessary flexibility to adapt this definition to scientific and technical progress and subsequent regulatory development at Union and international level. In the design and manufacture of medical devices, the manufacturers should take special care when using nanoparticles which are intended to be intentionally released in the human body should be subject to the most severe conformity assessment procedure.

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 13 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(13a)

Medical devices used in the donation of substances of human origin and their subsequent use for treatment must conform to Union public health legislation ensuring minimum standards for quality and safety, including Directive 2002/98/EC on minimum standards of quality and safety for the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution of human blood and blood components and its additional directives.

Amendment 16

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 15 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(15a)

This Regulation includes requirements regarding the design, safety and performance characteristics of medical devices intended to prevent occupational injuries as laid down in Directive 2010/32/EU.

Amendment 17

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 19

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(19)

To recognise the important role of standardisation in the field of medical devices, compliance with harmonised standards as defined in Regulation (EU) No […/…] on European standardisation should be a means for manufacturers to demonstrate conformity with the general safety and performance requirements and other legal requirements, such as quality and risk management.

(19)

To recognise the important role of standardisation and traceability in the field of medical devices, compliance with harmonised standards as defined in Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council  (42) should be a means for manufacturers to demonstrate conformity with the general safety and performance requirements and other legal requirements, such as quality and risk management.

Amendment 18

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 19 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(19a)

With devices that consist of more than one implantable part, such as hip implants, compatibility of the parts of different manufacturers should be ensured in order to avoid the replacement of the functional part of the device and thus unnecessary risks and inconvenience for patients. The Commission should investigate the need for further measures to ensure the compatibility of the equivalent parts of hip implants from different manufacturers, bearing in mind that the hip operations are most often made on older people for whom the health risks of operations are higher.

Amendment 19

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 21 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(21a)

Directive 2013/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council  (5) should be the reference text for ensuring that people working in the vicinity of magnetic resonance imaging equipment when it is functioning are properly protected.

Amendment 20

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 24

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(24)

It is appropriate to set out clearly the general obligations of the different economic operators, including importers and distributors as laid down in the New Legislative Framework for the Marketing of Products, without prejudice to the specific obligations laid down in the different parts of this Regulation, to enhance understanding of the legal requirements and thus to improve regulatory compliance by the relevant operators.

(24)

It is appropriate to set out clearly the general obligations of the different economic operators, including importers and distributors as laid down in the New Legislative Framework for the Marketing of Products, without prejudice to the specific obligations laid down in the different parts of this Regulation, to enhance understanding of the legal requirements and thus to improve regulatory compliance by the relevant operators. Conditions enabling small and medium-sized enterprises with smart specialisation to have easier access to that market should be established.

Amendment 21

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 25 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(25a)

To ensure that patients harmed are compensated for any damage and associated treatment as a result of a faulty medical device, that the risk of damage as well as the risk of the manufacturer's insolvency are not shifted to patients harmed by a faulty medical device, manufacturers should be obliged to take liability insurance with sufficient minimum coverage.

Amendment 22

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 27

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(27)

It should be ensured that supervision and control of the manufacture of medical devices is carried out within the manufacturer's organisation by a person who fulfils minimum conditions of qualification.

(27)

It should be ensured that supervision and control of the manufacture of medical devices is carried out within the manufacturer's organisation by a person who fulfils minimum conditions of qualification. In addition to regulatory compliance, that person could also be responsible for compliance in other fields such as manufacturing processes and quality assessment. The required qualifications of the person responsible for the regulatory compliance should be without prejudice to national provisions regarding professional qualifications, in particular for manufacturers of custom-made devices where such requirements could be met through different educational and professional training systems at national level.

Amendment 24

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 31 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(31a)

The current possibility to reprocess medical devices labelled as single-use is not acceptable from a safety point of view. Only devices labelled as reusable should therefore be reprocessed. Consequently, medical devices labelled as single-use should be real single-use and there should be only two possibilities: single-use or reusable. In order to avoid any systematic labelling of devices as single-use, all devices should be reusable as a rule, except if they are included in a list established by the Commission, after consultation of the MDAC, of categories and groups of medical devices which are unsuitable for reprocessing. The reprocessing of devices encompasses various activities to ensure that a medical device can be safely reused, ranging from decontamination, sterilisation, cleaning, disassembly, repair, component replacement and packaging. These activities should be subject to comparable and transparent standards.

Amendment 25

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 32

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(32)

Patients who are implanted with a device should be given essential information related to the implanted device allowing it to be identified and containing any necessary warnings or precautions to be taken, for example indications as to whether or not it is compatible with certain diagnostic devices or with scanners used for security controls.

(32)

Patients who are implanted with a device should be given clear and easily accessible essential information related to the implanted device allowing it to be identified and containing information about the principal characteristics of the device, and any necessary health risk warnings or precautions to be taken, for example indications as to whether or not it is compatible with certain diagnostic devices or with scanners used for security controls.

Amendment 26

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 33

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(33)

Medical devices should, as a general rule, bear the CE marking to indicate their conformity with this Regulation so that they can move freely within the Union and be put into service in accordance with their intended purpose. Member States should not create obstacles to their placing on the market or putting into service for reasons related to the requirements laid down in this Regulation.

(33)

Medical devices should, as a general rule, bear the CE marking to indicate their conformity with this Regulation so that they can move freely within the Union and be put into service in accordance with their intended purpose. Member States should not create obstacles to their placing on the market or putting into service for reasons related to the requirements laid down in this Regulation. However Member States should be allowed to decide whether to restrict the use of any specific type of medical device in relation to aspects that are not covered by this Regulation.

Amendment 27

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 34

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(34)

The traceability of medical devices by means of a Unique Device Identification (UDI) system based on international guidance should significantly enhance the effectiveness of the post-market safety of medical devices due to improved incident reporting, targeted field safety corrective actions and better monitoring by competent authorities. It should also help to reduce medical errors and to fight against counterfeit devices. Use of the UDI system should also improve purchase-policy and stock-management by hospitals.

(34)

The traceability of medical devices by means of a Unique Device Identification (UDI) system based on international guidance should significantly enhance the effectiveness of the post-market safety of medical devices due to improved incident reporting, targeted field safety corrective actions and better monitoring by competent authorities. It should also help to reduce medical errors and to fight against counterfeit devices. Use of the UDI system should also improve purchase-policy and stock-management by hospitals , wholesalers and pharmacists and be compatible with the safety features as referred to in Directive 2011/62/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council  (6) and other authentication systems already in place in those settings.

Amendment 28

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 35

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(35)

Transparency and better information are essential to empower patients and healthcare professionals and to enable them to make informed decisions, to provide a sound basis for regulatory decision-making and to build confidence in the regulatory system.

(35)

Transparency and adequate access to information, appropriately presented for the intended user , are essential to empower patients, users and healthcare professionals and to enable them to make informed decisions, to provide a sound basis for regulatory decision-making and to build confidence in the regulatory system.

Amendment 29

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 36

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(36)

One key aspect is the creation of a central database that should integrate different electronic systems, with the UDI as an integral part of it, to collate and process information regarding medical devices on the market and the relevant economic operators, certificates, clinical investigations, vigilance and market surveillance. The objectives of the database are to enhance overall transparency, to streamline and facilitate the flow of information between economic operators, notified bodies or sponsors and Member States as well as between Member States among themselves and with the Commission, to avoid multiple reporting requirements and to enhance the coordination between Member States. Within an internal market, this can be ensured effectively only at Union level and the Commission should therefore further develop and manage the European databank on medical devices (Eudamed) set up by Commission Decision 2010/227/EU of 19 April 2010 on the European Databank for Medical Devices.

(36)

One key aspect is the creation of a central database that should integrate different electronic systems, with the UDI as an integral part of it, to collate and process information regarding medical devices on the market and the relevant economic operators, certificates, clinical investigations, vigilance and market surveillance. The objectives of the database are to enhance overall transparency through better access to information for the public and healthcare professionals, to streamline and facilitate the flow of information between economic operators, notified bodies or sponsors and Member States as well as between Member States among themselves and with the Commission, to avoid multiple reporting requirements and to enhance the coordination between Member States. Within an internal market, this can be ensured effectively only at Union level and the Commission should therefore further develop and manage the European databank on medical devices (Eudamed) set up by Commission Decision 2010/227/EU of 19 April 2010 on the European Databank for Medical Devices.

Amendment 30

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 37

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(37)

Eudamed's electronic systems regarding devices on the market, the relevant economic operators and certificates should enable the public to be adequately informed about devices on the Union market. The electronic system on clinical investigations should serve as tool for the cooperation between Member States and for enabling sponsors to submit, on a voluntary basis, a single application for several Member States and, in this case, to report serious adverse events. The electronic system on vigilance should enable manufacturers to report serious incidents and other reportable events and to support the coordination of their assessment by national competent authorities. The electronic system regarding market surveillance should be a tool for the exchange of information between competent authorities.

(37)

Eudamed's electronic systems should enable the public and healthcare professionals to be adequately informed about devices on the Union market. Adequate levels of access for the public and healthcare professionals to those parts of Eudamed's electronic systems which provide key information on medical devices that may pose a risk to public health and safety is essential. Where such access is limited, it should be possible, upon a reasoned request, to disclose the existing information on medical devices, unless the limitation of access is justified on grounds of confidentiality. The electronic system on clinical investigations should serve as tool for the cooperation between Member States and for enabling sponsors to submit, on a voluntary basis, a single application for several Member States and, in this case, to report serious adverse events. The electronic system on vigilance should enable manufacturers to report serious incidents and other reportable events and to support the coordination of their assessment by national competent authorities. The electronic system regarding market surveillance should be a tool for the exchange of information between competent authorities. A regular overview of vigilance and market surveillance information should be made available to healthcare professionals and the public.

Amendment 31

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 39

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(39)

For high-risk medical devices, manufacturers should summarise the main safety and performance aspects of the device and the outcome of the clinical evaluation in a document that should be publicly available.

(39)

For high-risk medical devices, in the interests of increased transparency, manufacturers should draw up a report of the safety and performance aspects of the device and the outcome of the clinical evaluation . A summary of the safety and performance report should be publicly available via Eudamed .

Amendment 32

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 39a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(39a)

According to the policy of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on access to documents, the EMA releases documents submitted as part of applications for marketing authorisation for medicinal products, including clinical trial reports, on request once the decision-making process for the medicinal product in question has been completed. Corresponding standards on transparency and access to documents should be upheld and reinforced for high-risk medical devices, in particular as they are not subject to pre-market approval. For the purposes of this Regulation, in general the data included in clinical investigations should not be considered commercially sensitive once compliance of a device with the applicable requirements has been demonstrated following the applicable conformity assessment procedure. This should be without prejudice to intellectual property rights concerning the data in clinical investigations by the manufacturer with regard to the use of these data by other manufacturers.

Amendment 33

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 39 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(39b)

As regards invasive devices with a diagnostic and measuring function, Member States should take all necessary measures to prevent the risk of infection and microbial contamination between patients. To this end, the Member States should eliminate the known or foreseeable risks to patient safety by advocating inter alia the safest levels of and guidelines for disinfection and ensure their effective implementation by users and health establishments. In accordance with this Regulation, the Commission should ensure that these preventive health protection measures are appropriate.

Amendment 34

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 40

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(40)

The proper functioning of notified bodies is crucial for ensuring a high level of health and safety protection and citizens' confidence in the system. Designation and monitoring of notified bodies by the Member States, in accordance with detailed and strict criteria, should therefore be subject to controls at Union level.

(40)

The proper functioning of notified bodies is crucial for ensuring a high level of health and safety protection for health professionals, users and operators, including in the waste disposal chain, and for ensuring citizens’ confidence in the system. Designation and monitoring of notified bodies by the Member States, and where applicable by the EMA, in accordance with detailed and strict criteria, should therefore be subject to controls at Union level.

Amendment 35

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 42

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(42)

For high risk medical devices, authorities should be informed at an early stage about devices which are subject to conformity assessment and be given the right, on scientifically valid grounds, to scrutinise the preliminary assessment conducted by notified bodies, in particular regarding novel devices, devices for which a novel technology is being used, devices belonging to a category of devices with increased serious incident rates, or devices for which significant discrepancies in the conformity assessments by different notified bodies have been identified in respect of substantially similar devices. The process foreseen in this Regulation does not prevent a manufacturer from informing voluntarily a competent authority of his intention to file an application for conformity assessment for a high risk medical device before submitting the application to the notified body.

deleted

Amendments 363 and 370

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 42 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(42a)

For high-risk medical devices, such as devices in class III, implantable devices and devices intended to administer medicinal products when failure or malfunctioning of these devices would have a major impact on health and safety, the conformity assessment should be the responsibility of special notified bodies. Those special notified bodies should be designated by the EMA on the basis of the reinforced requirements on staff qualification and training as referred to in Section 3.5a of Annex VI. These special notified bodies should meet in a Network in order in particular to exchange good practice and ensure convergence in their work. The Assessment Committee for Medical Devices (ACMD) shall provide an opinion on the robustness of the clinical data by way on an assessment in specific cases. The need for such additional assessment should decrease once the new rules have been fully implemented and applied in particular to all notified bodies and as common technical standards are developed. The Commission should therefore review the functioning of and the experience with the additional assessment procedure after five years with a view to assessing whether it can be further restricted.

Amendment 379

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 42 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(42b)

As this Regulation now combines active implantable medical devices covered by Directive 90/385/EEC, and implantable medical devices covered by Directive 93/42/EEC, and places all active implantable medical devices and implantable devices of public health concern in the highest risk class III category attracting the strictest controls, and as the vast majority of class IIb implantable medical devices such as pins, bone-screws, plates, staples etc., have a long history of safe implantation within the human body, and as special notified bodies will be specifically designated for such class IIb implantable devices, class IIb implantable devices need not be subjected to the scrutiny procedure.

Amendment 364

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 42 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(42c)

The ACMD should be composed of clinical experts in the medical fields relevant to the medical device being assessed, one representative of the EMA and one representative of patients' organisations. The ACMD should meet on request from the MDCG or the Commission and its meetings should be chaired by a Commission representative. The Commission should provide logistic support to the secretariat and operations of the ACMD.

Amendment 38

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 45

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(45)

The conformity assessment procedures should be simplified and streamlined whilst the requirements for notified bodies as regards the performance of their assessments should be clearly specified to ensure a level playing field.

(45)

The conformity assessment procedures should be strengthened and streamlined whilst the requirements for notified bodies as regards the performance of their assessments should be clearly specified to ensure a level playing field.

Amendment 39

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 47

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(47)

The rules on clinical investigations should be in line with major international guidance in this field, such as the international standard ISO 14155:2011 on good clinical practice for clinical investigations of medical devices for human subjects and the most recent (2008) version of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects to ensure that clinical investigations conducted in the Union are accepted elsewhere and that clinical investigations conducted outside the Union in accordance with international guidelines can be accepted under this Regulation.

(47)

The rules on clinical investigations should be in line with major international guidance in this field, such as the international standard ISO 14155:2011 or any subsequent version of it on good clinical practice for clinical investigations of medical devices for human subjects and the most recent version of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects to ensure that clinical investigations conducted in the Union are accepted elsewhere and that clinical investigations conducted outside the Union in accordance with international guidelines can be accepted under this Regulation.

Amendment 40

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 47 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(47a)

The Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association  (7) states in Article 15 that ‘the research protocol must be submitted for consideration, comment, guidance and approval to a research ethics committee before the study begins’. Clinical investigations involving risk for the subject should only be allowed after assessment and approval by an ethics committee. The reporting Member State and the other concerned Member States need to organise themselves in a way that the competent authority concerned receives approval by an ethics committee on the clinical performance study protocol.

Amendment 41

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 48 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(48a)

For the sake of transparency, sponsors should submit the results of a clinical investigation together with a layperson summary within the deadlines specified by the regulation. The Commission should be empowered to adopt delegated acts on the preparation of the layperson's summary and the communication of the clinical investigation report. The Commission should provide guidelines for managing and facilitating the sharing of raw data from all clinical investigations.

Amendment 43

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 50

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(50)

Sponsors should report certain adverse events occurring during clinical investigations to the Member States concerned, which should have the possibility to terminate or suspend the investigations if considered necessary to ensure a high level of protection of the subjects enrolled in a clinical investigation. Such information should be communicated to the other Member States.

(50)

Sponsors should report adverse events occurring during clinical investigations to the Member States concerned, which shall have the possibility to terminate or suspend the investigations if considered necessary to ensure a high level of protection of the subjects enrolled in a clinical investigation. Such information shall be communicated to the other Member States , the MDCG and the Commission .

Amendment 44

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 51 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(51a)

Strict rules for persons unable to give informed consent such as children and incapacitated persons should be established at the same level as in Directive 2001/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council  (8) .

Amendment 45

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 52

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(52)

In order to better protect health and safety regarding devices on the market, the vigilance system for medical devices should be made more effective by creating a central portal at Union level for reporting serious incidents and field safety corrective actions.

(52)

In order to better protect the health and safety of health professionals, patients, users and operators, including in the waste disposal chain, regarding devices on the market, the vigilance system for medical devices should be made more effective by creating a central portal at Union level for reporting serious incidents and field safety corrective actions.

Amendment 46

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 53

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(53)

Healthcare professionals and patients should be empowered to report suspected serious incidents at national level using harmonised formats. The national competent authorities should inform manufacturers and share the information with their peers when they confirm that a serious incident has occurred in order to minimise recurrence of those incidents.

(53)

Member States should take all necessary measures to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, users and patients about the importance of reporting incidents. Healthcare professionals, users and patients should be empowered and enabled to report such incidents at national level using harmonised formats and guaranteeing anonymity, where appropriate. In order to minimise the recurrence of such incidents, the national competent authorities should inform manufacturers, and, if appropriate, their subsidiaries and sub-contractors, and report the information via the respective electronic system in Eudamed when they confirm that an incident has occurred.

Amendment 47

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 54

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(54)

The assessment of reported serious incidents and field safety corrective actions should be conducted at national level but coordination should be ensured where similar incidents have occurred or field safety corrective actions have to be carried out in more than one Member State with the objective of sharing resources and ensuring consistency regarding the corrective action.

(54)

The assessment of reported serious incidents and field safety corrective actions should be conducted at national level but where similar incidents have occurred or field safety corrective actions have to be carried out in more than one Member State coordination, with the objective of sharing resources and ensuring consistency regarding the corrective action , and transparency of procedures should be ensured .

Amendment 48

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 54 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(54a)

Manufacturers should report periodically on medical devices classified as class III as regards the data relevant to the risk benefit ratio and the exposition of the population in order to evaluate whether any action concerning the medical device concerned is necessary.

Amendment 49

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 56

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(56)

Rules on market surveillance should be included in this Regulation to reinforce the rights and obligations of the national competent authorities, to ensure effective coordination of their market surveillance activities and to clarify the applicable procedures.

(56)

Rules on market surveillance should be included in this Regulation to reinforce the rights and obligations of the national competent authorities, to ensure effective coordination of their market surveillance activities and to clarify the applicable procedures. The Commission should clearly define the way these inspections should be conducted in order to ensure a full and harmonised implementation within the Union.

Amendment 50

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 57

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(57)

The Member States shall levy fees for the designation and monitoring of notified bodies to ensure sustainability of the monitoring of those bodies by Member States and to establish a level playing field for notified bodies.

(57)

The Member States should levy fees for the designation and monitoring of notified bodies to ensure sustainability of the monitoring of those bodies by Member States and to establish a level playing field for notified bodies. These fees should be comparable across Member States and should be made public.

Amendment 51

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 57 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(57a)

Member States are invited to set and enforce serious penalties for manufacturers that commit fraud and cheat with regard to medical devices. Those penalties should be at least as large as the revenue gains from fraud or cheating. Penalties may include imprisonment.

Amendment 52

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 58

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(58)

Whilst this Regulation should not affect the right of Member States to levy fees for activities at national level, Member States should inform the Commission and the other Member States before they adopt the level and structure of the fees to ensure transparency.

(58)

Whilst this Regulation should not affect the right of Member States to levy fees for activities at national level, Member States should inform the Commission and the other Member States before they adopt a comparable level and structure of the fees to ensure transparency.

Amendment 53

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 58 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(58a)

Member States should adopt provisions on standard fees for notified bodies, which should be comparable across Member States. The Commission should provide guidelines to facilitate the comparability of those fees. Member States should transmit their list of standard fees to the Commission and ensure that the notified bodies registered on their territory make the lists of standard fees for their conformity assessment activities publicly available.

Amendment 54

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 59

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(59)

An expert committee, the Medical Device Coordination Group ( MDCG), composed of persons designated by the Member States based on their role and expertise in the field of medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices should be established to fulfil the tasks conferred on it by this Regulation and by Regulation (EU) […/…] on in vitro diagnostic medical devices, to provide advice to the Commission and to assist the Commission and the Member States in ensuring a harmonised implementation of this Regulation.

(59)

A MDCG, composed of persons designated by the Member States based on their role and expertise in the field of medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices should be established to fulfil the tasks conferred on it by this Regulation and by Regulation (EU) […/…] on in vitro diagnostic medical devices, to provide advice to the Commission and to assist the Commission and the Member States in ensuring a harmonised implementation of this Regulation.

Amendment 55

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 61

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(61)

The Commission should provide scientific, technical and corresponding logistic support to the coordinating national authority and ensure that the regulatory system for medical devices is effectively implemented at Union level based on sound scientific evidence.

(61)

The Commission should provide scientific, technical and corresponding logistic support to the coordinating national authority and ensure that the regulatory system for medical devices is effectively and uniformly implemented at Union level based on sound scientific evidence.

Amendment 56

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 63

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(63)

This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and notably human dignity, the integrity of the person, the protection of personal data, the freedom of art and science, the freedom to conduct business and the right to property. This Regulation should be applied by the Member States in accordance with those rights and principles.

(63)

This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and notably human dignity, the integrity of the person, the principle of free and informed consent, the protection of personal data, the freedom of art and science, the freedom to conduct business and the right to property , as well as the European Convention on Human Rights . This Regulation should be applied by the Member States in accordance with those rights and principles.

Amendment 57

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 64

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(64)

In order to maintain a high level of health and safety, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the products subject to this Regulation that are similar to medical devices but do not necessarily have a medical purpose; adaptation of the definition of nanomaterial to technical progress and to developments at Union and international level; adaptation to technical progress of the general safety and performance requirements, of the elements to be addressed in the technical documentation, of the minimum content of the EU declaration of conformity and of the certificates issued by notified bodies, of the minimum requirements to be met by notified bodies, of the classification rules, of the conformity assessment procedures, and of the documentation to be submitted for the approval of clinical investigations; the establishment of the UDI system; the information to be submitted for the registration of medical devices and certain economic operators; the level and structure of fees for the designation and monitoring of notified bodies; the publicly available information in respect of clinical investigations; the adoption of preventive health protection measures at EU level; and the tasks of and criteria for European Union reference laboratories and the level and structure of fees for scientific opinions delivered by them. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.

(64)

In order to maintain a high level of health and safety, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the products subject to this Regulation that are similar to medical devices but do not necessarily have a medical purpose; adaptation of the definition of nanomaterial to technical progress and to developments at Union and international level; adaptation to technical progress of the general safety and performance requirements, of the elements to be addressed in the technical documentation, of the minimum content of the EU declaration of conformity and of the certificates issued by notified bodies, of the requirements to be met by notified bodies, of the classification rules, of the conformity assessment procedures, and of the documentation to be submitted for the approval of clinical investigations; the establishment of the UDI system the information to be submitted for the registration of medical devices and certain economic operators; the level and structure of fees for the designation and monitoring of notified bodies; the publicly available information in respect of clinical investigations; the adoption of preventive health protection measures at EU level; and the tasks of and criteria for European Union reference laboratories and the level and structure of fees for scientific opinions delivered by them. However, basic aspects of this Regulation such as general safety and performance requirements, stipulations on technical documentation and the requirements for CE marking certification, as well as any amendments or additions to it, should be provided for only through the ordinary legislative procedure. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.

Amendment 58

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 68

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(68)

To allow economic operators, notified bodies , Member States and the Commission to adapt to the changes introduced by this Regulation, it is appropriate to provide for a sufficient transitional period for that adaptation and for the organisational arrangements to be taken for its proper application. It is particularly important that by the date of application, a sufficient number of notified bodies are designated in accordance with the new requirements to avoid any shortage of medical devices on the market.

(68)

To allow economic operators, especially SMEs , to adapt to the changes introduced by this Regulation and to ensure its proper application, it is appropriate to provide for a sufficient transitional period for the organisational arrangements to be taken . However, parts of the Regulation that affect directly Member States and the Commission should be implemented as soon as possible. It is particularly important that by the date of application, a sufficient number of notified bodies are designated in accordance with the new requirements to avoid any shortage of medical devices on the market. Also at the date of application, existing notified bodies that handle class III devices, shall be subject to an application for notification in accordance with this Regulation.

Amendment 59

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

This Regulation establishes rules to be complied with by medical devices and accessories to medical devices that are placed on the market or put into service in the Union for human use .

This Regulation establishes rules to be complied with by medical devices for human use, accessories to medical devices and medical devices for aesthetic purposes that are placed on the market or put into service in the Union.

Amendment 60

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

For the purposes of this Regulation, medical devices and accessories to medical devices shall hereinafter be referred to as ‘devices’.

For the purposes of this Regulation, medical devices, accessories to medical devices and devices for aesthetic purposes shall hereinafter be referred to as ‘devices’.

Amendment 61

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 2 — point f

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(f)

products that contain or consist of biological substances or organisms other than those referred to in points (c) and (e) that are viable, including living micro-organisms, bacteria, fungi or virus;

(f)

all products that contain or consist of biological substances or organisms other than those referred to in points (c) and (e) that are viable and that achieve their intended purpose by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means , including certain living micro-organisms, bacteria, fungi or virus;

Amendment 62

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 4 — subparagraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Where a device, when placed on the market or used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, incorporates, as an integral part, a substance which, if used separately, would be considered to be a medicinal product as defined in Article 1(2) of Directive 2001/83/EC, including a medicinal product derived from human blood or human plasma as defined in Article 1(10) of that Directive, with action ancillary to that of the device, that device shall be assessed and authorised in accordance with this Regulation.

Where a device, when placed on the market or used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, incorporates, as an integral part, a substance which, if used separately, would be considered to be a medicinal product as defined in Article 1(2) of Directive 2001/83/EC, including a medicinal product derived from human blood or human plasma as defined in Article 1(10) of that Directive, with action ancillary to that of the device, that device shall be assessed and authorised in accordance with this Regulation following consultation with the national medicine agency or with the EMA .

Amendment 63

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 5 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

5a.     This Regulation shall not impede the continued application of measures within Directive 2002/98/EC and its five Daughter Directives setting standards of quality and safety for the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution of human blood and blood components.

 

Articles 10 (Personnel), 14 (Traceability), 15 (Notification of serious adverse events and reactions), 19 (Examination of donors) and 29 (Technical requirements and their adaptation to technical and scientific progress) of Directive 2002/98/EC ensure donor and patient safety and as such those existing standards shall be maintained.

Amendment 64

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 7 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

7a.     The regulation of medical devices at Union level shall not interfere with the freedom of Member States to decide whether to restrict the use of any specific type of device in relation to aspects that are not covered by this Regulation.

Amendment 65

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 1 — introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(1)

‘medical device’ means any instrument, apparatus, appliance, software, implant, reagent, material or other article, intended by the manufacturer to be used, alone or in combination, for human beings for one or more of the specific medical purposes of:

(1)

‘medical device’ means any instrument, apparatus, appliance, software, implant, reagent, material or other article, intended by the manufacturer to be used, alone or in combination, for human beings for one or more of the specific direct or indirect medical purposes of:

Amendment 66

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 1 — indent 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of disease,

diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, prediction, treatment or alleviation of disease,

Amendment 67

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 1 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

The implantable or other invasive products, intended to be used for human beings, which are listed in Annex XV shall be considered medical devices, regardless of whether or not they are intended by the manufacturer to be used for a medical purpose.

The implantable or other invasive products, as well as products using external physical agents, intended to be used for human beings, which are listed on a non-exhaustive basis in Annex XV, shall be considered medical devices for the purposes of this Regulation , regardless of whether or not they are intended by the manufacturer to be used for a medical purpose.

Amendment 68

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(2)

‘accessory to a medical device’ means an article which, whilst not being a medical device, is intended by its manufacturer to be used together with one or several particular medical device(s) to specifically enable or assist the device(s) to be used in accordance with its/their intended purpose(s);

(2)

‘accessory to a medical device’ means an article which, whilst not being a medical device, is intended by its manufacturer to be used together with one or several particular medical device(s) to specifically enable the device(s) to be used in accordance with its/their intended purpose(s); or to specifically assist the medical functionality of the medical device(s) in view of its/their intended purpose(s);

Amendment 69

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(2a)

‘device for aesthetic purposes’ means any instrument, apparatus, appliance, software, implant, material, substance or other article, intended by the manufacturer to be used, alone or in combination, for the purposes of modifying the physical appearance of human beings, without any therapeutic or reconstructive intent, by implanting it in the human body, attaching it to the surface of the eye or using it to induce a tissue or cell reaction on external or non-external parts of the human body.

 

Tattooing products and piercings shall not be considered devices for aesthetic purposes.

Amendment 70

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(3)

‘custom-made device’ means any device specifically made in accordance with a written prescription of a doctor of medicine, of a dental practitioner or of any other person authorised by national law by virtue of this person's professional qualifications which gives, under his responsibility, specific design characteristics , and is intended for the sole use of a particular patient .

(3)

‘custom-made device’ means any device specifically made by an appropriately qualified person exclusively to meet a specific patient’s individual requirements and needs. In particular a ‘custom-made device’ may be produced on the basis of a written prescription of a doctor of medicine, of a dental practitioner or of any other person authorised by national law by virtue of this person’s professional qualifications which gives, under his responsibility, specific design characteristics. However, mass-produced devices which need to be adapted to meet the specific requirements of a doctor of medicine, a dental practitioner or any other professional user and devices which are mass-produced by means of industrial manufacturing processes in accordance with the written prescriptions of doctors of medicine, dental practitioners or any other authorised person shall not be considered to be custom-made devices ;

However, mass-produced devices which need to be adapted to meet the specific requirements of a doctor of medicine, a dental practitioner or any other professional user and devices which are mass-produced by means of industrial manufacturing processes in accordance with the written prescriptions of doctors of medicine, dental practitioners or any other authorised person shall not be considered to be custom-made devices;

 

Amendment 71

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 4 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(4)

‘active device’ means any device, the operation of which depends on a source of electrical energy or any source of power other than that directly generated by gravity and which acts by changing the density of or converting this energy. Devices intended to transmit energy, substances or other elements between an active device and the patient, without any significant change, shall not be considered to be active devices.

(4)

‘active device’ means any device, the operation of which depends on a source of electrical energy or any source of power other than that directly generated by the human body or by gravity and which acts by changing the density of or converting this energy. Devices intended to transmit energy, substances or other elements between an active device and the patient, without any significant change, shall not be considered to be active devices.

Amendment 72

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 4 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Stand alone software shall be considered an active device;

deleted

Amendment 73

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 8 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(8)

‘single-use device’ means a device that is intended to be used on an individual patient during a single procedure.

(8)

‘single-use device’ means a device that is intended to be used on an individual patient during a single procedure and which has been tested and demonstrated to be impossible to reuse .

Amendment 357

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 8 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(8a)

‘reusable device’ means a device that is suitable for reprocessing and that is intended to be used on multiple patients or during multiple procedures;

Amendment 75

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 9

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(9)

‘single-use device for critical use’ means a single-use device intended to be used for surgically invasive medical procedures;

deleted

Amendment 354

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 10

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(10)

‘intended purpose’ means the use for which the device is intended according to the data supplied by the manufacturer on the label, in the instructions for use or in promotional or sales materials or statements;

(10)

‘intended purpose’ means the use for which the device is intended according to the clinical evaluation, to be reflected in the conformity certificate, the product label, in the instructions for use and if applicable in promotional or sales materials or statements;

Amendment 76

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 16

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(16)

‘making available on the market’ means any supply of a device, other than an investigational device, for distribution, consumption or use on the Union market in the course of a commercial activity , whether in return for payment or free of charge;

(16)

‘making available on the market’ means any supply of a device, other than an investigational device, for distribution, consumption or use on the Union market, whether in return for payment or free of charge;

Amendment 77

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 24

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(24)

‘health institution’ means an organisation whose primary purpose is the care or treatment of patients or the promotion of public health ;

(24)

‘health institution’ means an organisation whose primary purpose is the care or treatment of patients;

Amendment 78

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 27

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(27)

‘reprocessing’ means the process carried out on a used device in order to allow its safe reuse including cleaning, disinfection, sterilisation and related procedures, as well as testing and restoration of the technical and functional safety of the used device;

(27)

‘reprocessing’ means the process carried out on a used device in order to allow its safe reuse including cleaning, disinfection, sterilisation and related procedures, as well as testing and restoration of the technical and functional safety of the used device; routine device maintenance service activities are not included in this definition;

Amendment 79

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 31 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(31a)

‘performance’ means any technical characteristics, any effects and any benefit of the device when used for the intended purpose and in accordance with the instructions of use;

Amendment 80

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 31 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(31b)

‘benefit’ means the positive health impact of a medical device based on clinical and non-clinical data;

Amendment 82

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 32

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(32)

‘clinical evaluation’ means the assessment and analysis of clinical data pertaining to a device in order to verify the safety and performance of the device when used as intended by the manufacturer;

(32)

‘clinical evaluation’ means the assessment and analysis of clinical data pertaining to a device in order to verify the safety, performance and clinical benefits of the device when used as intended by the manufacturer;

Amendment 83

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 33 — paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Clinical investigations for medical devices, where made compulsory in accordance with this Regulation, shall include clinical investigations in the appropriate target population and well-controlled investigations.

Amendment 84

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 36 — introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(36)

‘clinical data’ means the information concerning the safety or performance that is generated from the use of a device and that are sourced from the following:

(36)

‘clinical data’ means all the information concerning the safety or performance that is generated from the use of a device and that are sourced from the following:

Amendment 86

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 37

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(37)

‘sponsor’ means an individual, company, institution or organisation which takes responsibility for the initiation and management of a clinical investigation;

(37)

‘sponsor’ means an individual, company, institution or organisation which takes responsibility for the initiation and management , conduct or financing of a clinical investigation;

Amendment 87

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 37 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(37a)

‘conformity assessment’ means, in relation to a clinical study, the checking by the authorities responsible of the relevant official documentation, facilities and records and of the existence of sufficient insurance cover. Such checking may be carried out on the premises of the sponsor and/or the research establishment or wherever the authority responsible may deem checks to be necessary.

Amendment 88

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 37 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(37b)

‘ethics committee’ means an independent body in a Member State, consisting of health-care professionals and non-medical members including at least one well-experienced, knowledgeable patient or patient representative. Its responsibility is to protect the rights, safety, physical and mental integrity, dignity and well-being of subjects involved in clinical investigations and to provide public assurance of that protection in full transparency. In cases of such investigations involving minors, the ethics committee shall include at least one healthcare professional with paediatric expertise;

Amendment 89

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 39 — indent 2 — point iii

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(iii)

hospitalisation or extending the duration of hospitalisation,

(iii)

hospitalisation or prolongation of patient hospitalisation,

Amendment 90

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 39 — indent 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

foetal distress, foetal death or a congenital abnormality or birth defect;

foetal distress, foetal death or a congenital physical or mental impairments or birth defect;

Amendment 91

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 40

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(40)

‘device deficiency’ means any inadequacy in the identity, quality, durability, reliability, safety or performance of an investigational device, including malfunction, use errors or inadequacy in the information supplied by the manufacturer;

(40)

‘device deficiency’ means any inadequacy in the identity, quality, durability, reliability, safety or performance of a device, as defined in points 1 to 6 of this paragraph , including malfunction, or inadequacy in the information supplied by the manufacturer;

Amendment 92

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1 — point 48 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(48a)

‘unannounced inspection’ means an inspection conducted without advance notice;

Amendment 93

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The Commission may, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative , by means of implementing acts, determine whether or not a specific product, or category or group of products, falls within the definitions of ‘medical device’ or ‘accessory to a medical device’. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

1.   The Commission may on its own initiative or shall at the request of a Member State, by means of implementing acts on the basis of the opinions of the MDCG and the MDAC referred to in Articles 78 and 78a respectively , determine whether or not a specific product, or category or group of products, including borderline products, falls within the definitions of ‘medical device’ or ‘accessory to a medical device’. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

2.     The Commission shall ensure the sharing of expertise between Member States in the fields of medical devices, in vitro diagnostic medical devices, medicinal products, human tissues and cells, cosmetics, biocides, food and, if necessary, other products in order to determine the appropriate regulatory status of a product, or category or group of products.

 

Amendment 256

Proposal for a regulation

Chapter II — title

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Making available of devices, obligations of economic operators, reprocessing, CE marking, free movement

Amendment 94

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 — paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   Devices that are manufactured and used within a single health institution shall be considered as being put into service. The provisions regarding CE marking referred to in Article 18 and the obligations laid down in Articles 23 to 27 shall not apply to those devices, provided that manufacture and use of those devices occur under the health institution's single quality management system.

4.   Devices that are manufactured and used within a single health institution shall be considered as being put into service. The provisions regarding CE marking referred to in Article 18 and the obligations laid down in Articles 23 , 26 and 27 shall not apply to those devices, provided that manufacture and use of those devices occur under the health institution's single quality management system.

Amendment 95

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 — paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5.     The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 amending or supplementing, in the light of technical progress and considering the intended users or patients, the general safety and performance requirements set out in Annex I, including the information supplied by the manufacturer.

deleted

Amendment 96

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   A device offered by means of information society services as defined in Article 1(2) of Directive 98/34/EC to a natural or legal person established in the Union shall comply with this Regulation at the latest when the device is placed on the market.

1.   A device offered by means of information society services as defined in Article 1(2) of Directive 98/34/EC to a natural or legal person established in the Union shall comply with this Regulation at the latest by the day on which the device is placed on the market.

Amendment 97

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 — paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

2a.

Service providers providing means of distance communication shall be obliged, upon receiving a request from the competent authority, to disclose the details of entities engaging in distance selling.

Amendment 98

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 — paragraph 2 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

2b.     There shall be a prohibition on the marketing, placing in use, distribution, delivery and making available of products whose names, labelling or instructions for use may mislead with regard to the product’s characteristics and effects by:

 

(a)

ascribing characteristics, functions and effects to the product which the product does not have;

 

(b)

creating the false impression that treatment or diagnosis using the product is sure to be successful, or failing to inform of a likely risk associated with the use of the product in line with its intended use or for a longer-than-anticipated period;

 

(c)

suggesting uses or characteristics of the product other than those declared when the conformity assessment was carried out.

 

Promotional materials, presentations and information about the products may not mislead in the manner referred to in the first subparagraph.

Amendment 99

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   Where no harmonised standards exist or where relevant harmonised standards are not sufficient , the Commission shall be empowered to adopt common technical specifications (CTS) in respect of the general safety and performance requirements set out in Annex I, the technical documentation set out in Annex II or the clinical evaluation and post-market clinical follow-up set out in Annex XIII. The CTS shall be adopted by means of implementing acts in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

1.   Where no harmonised standards exist or where there is a need to address public health concerns , the Commission, after having consulted the MDCG and the MDAC , shall be empowered to adopt common technical specifications (CTS) in respect of the general safety and performance requirements set out in Annex I, the technical documentation set out in Annex II or the clinical evaluation and post-market clinical follow-up set out in Annex XIII. The CTS shall be adopted by means of implementing acts in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

 

1a.     Before adopting CTS referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall ensure that the CTS have been developed with the appropriate support of the relevant stakeholders and that they are coherent with the European and international standardisation system. CTS are coherent if they do not conflict with European standards, meaning they cover areas where no harmonised standards exist, the adoption of new European standards is not envisaged within a reasonable period, where existing standards have not gained market uptake or where those standards have become obsolete or have been demonstrated as clearly insufficient according to vigilance or surveillance data, and where the transposition of the technical specifications into European standardisation deliverables is not envisaged within a reasonable period.

Amendment 100

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 amending or supplementing, in the light of technical progress, the elements in the technical documentation set out in Annex II.

deleted

Amendment 101

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 — paragraph 6 — subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

If in the course of the post-market surveillance a need for corrective action is identified, the manufacturer shall implement the appropriate measures.

If in the course of the post-market surveillance a need for corrective action is identified, the manufacturer shall implement the appropriate measures , including immediate notification to Eudamed as established by Article 27 .

Amendment 102

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 — paragraph 8

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

8.   Manufacturers who consider or have reason to believe that a device which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Regulation shall immediately take the necessary corrective action to bring that product into conformity, withdraw it or recall it, as appropriate. They shall inform the distributors and, where applicable, the authorised representative accordingly.

8.   Manufacturers who consider or have reason to believe that a device which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Regulation shall immediately take the necessary corrective action to bring that product into conformity, withdraw it or recall it, as appropriate. They shall inform the distributors , the importers and, where applicable, the authorised representative accordingly.

Amendment 103

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 — paragraph 9 — subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

If a competent authority considers or has reason to believe that a device has caused damages, it shall ensure, where this is not already foreseen by national litigation or judicial proceedings, that the potentially harmed user, the user's successor in title, the user's health insurance company or other third parties affected by the damage caused to the user may request the information referred to in the first subparagraph from the manufacturer or his authorised representative while ensuring due respect to the intellectual property rights.

Amendment 104

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 — paragraph 10 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

10a.     Before placing a medical device on the market, manufacturers shall ensure they are covered by an appropriate liability insurance covering any damages to patients or users that can be directly attributed to a manufacturing defect of the same medical device, with a level of coverage proportionate to the potential risk associated with the medical device produced, and in accordance with Council Directive 85/374/EEC  (9) .

Amendment 105

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 1 — point -a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(-a)

that the manufacturer is identifiable and has the technical, scientific and financial capacity to produce a medical device compliant with this Regulation, and that importers make available to the national authorities and on their website a report on the investigation procedures attesting to the expertise of the manufacturer.

Amendment 106

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 1 — point f a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(fa)

that the manufacturer has taken out appropriate liability insurance coverage pursuant to Article 8(10a) , unless the importer himself ensures sufficient coverage that meets the requirements of that paragraph.

Amendment 107

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 — paragraph 7

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

7.   Importers who consider or have reason to believe that a device which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Regulation shall immediately inform the manufacturer and his authorised representative and, if appropriate, take the necessary corrective action to bring that device into conformity, withdraw or recall it. Where the device presents a risk, they shall also immediately inform the competent authorities of the Member States in which they made the device available and, if applicable, the notified body that issued a certificate in accordance with Article 45 for the device in question, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective action taken .

7.   Importers who consider or have reason to believe that a device which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Regulation shall immediately inform the manufacturer and his authorised representative and, if appropriate, ensure that the necessary corrective action to bring that device in conformity, withdraw or recall it , is taken and, implement that action . Where the device presents a risk, they shall also immediately inform the competent authorities of the Member States in which they made the device available and, if applicable, the notified body that issued a certificate in accordance with Article 45 for the device in question, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective action they have implemented .

Amendment 108

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 1 — point c

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(c)

the manufacturer and, where applicable, the importer have complied with the requirements set out in Article 24 and Article 11(3) respectively .

(c)

the manufacturer and, where applicable, the importer have complied with the requirements set out in Article 11(3).

Amendment 109

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 — paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   Distributors who consider or have reason to believe that a device which they have made available on the market is not in conformity with this Regulation shall immediately inform the manufacturer and, where applicable, his authorised representative and the importer and make sure that the necessary corrective action to bring that device into conformity, withdraw or recall it, if appropriate, is taken. Where the device presents a risk, they shall also immediately inform the competent authorities of the Member States in which they made the device available, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective action taken.

4.   Distributors who consider or have reason to believe that a device which they have made available on the market is not in conformity with this Regulation shall immediately inform the manufacturer and, where applicable, his authorised representative and the importer and make sure , within the scope of their respective activities, that the necessary corrective action to bring that device into conformity, withdraw or recall it, if appropriate, is taken. Where the device presents a risk, they shall also immediately inform the competent authorities of the Member States in which they made the device available, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective action taken.

Amendment 110

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Person responsible for regulatory compliance

Person responsible for regulatory compliance

1.   Manufacturers shall have available within their organisation at least one qualified person who possesses expert knowledge in the field of medical devices. The expert knowledge shall be demonstrated by either of the following qualifications:

1.   Manufacturers shall have available within their organisation at least one person responsible for regulatory compliance who possesses the requisite expertise in the field of medical devices. The requisite expertise shall be demonstrated by either of the following qualifications:

(a)

a diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualification awarded on completion of a university degree or of an equivalent course of study, in natural sciences, medicine, pharmacy, engineering or another relevant discipline , and at least two years of professional experience in regulatory affairs or in quality management systems relating to medical devices ;

(a)

a diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualification awarded on completion of a university degree or of an equivalent course of study, in law , natural sciences, medicine, pharmacy, engineering or another relevant discipline;

(b)

five years of professional experience in regulatory affairs or in quality management systems relating to medical devices.

(b)

three years of professional experience in regulatory affairs or in quality management systems relating to medical devices.

Without prejudice to national provisions regarding professional qualifications, manufacturers of custom-made devices may demonstrate their expert knowledge referred to in the first subparagraph by at least two years of professional experience within the relevant field of manufacture.

Without prejudice to national provisions regarding professional qualifications, manufacturers of custom-made devices may demonstrate their expert knowledge referred to in the first subparagraph by at least two years of professional experience within the relevant field of manufacture.

This paragraph shall not apply to manufacturers of custom-made devices who are micro-enterprises as defined by Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.

This paragraph shall not apply to manufacturers of custom-made devices who are micro-enterprises as defined by Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.

2.   The qualified person shall at least be responsible for ensuring the following matters:

2.   The person responsible for regulatory compliance shall at least be responsible for ensuring the following matters:

(a)

that the conformity of the devices is appropriately assessed before a batch is released;

(a)

that the conformity of the devices is appropriately assessed before a batch is released;

(b)

that the technical documentation and the declaration of conformity are drawn up and kept up-to-date;

(b)

that the technical documentation and the declaration of conformity are drawn up and kept up-to-date;

(c)

that the reporting obligations in accordance with Articles 61 to 66 are fulfilled;

(c)

that the reporting obligations in accordance with Articles 61 to 66 are fulfilled;

(d)

in the case of investigational devices, that the statement referred to in point 4.1 of Chapter II of Annex XIV is issued.

(d)

in the case of investigational devices, that the statement referred to in point 4.1 of Chapter II of Annex XIV is issued.

 

If a number of persons are jointly responsible for regulatory compliance in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2, their respective areas of responsibility shall be stipulated in writing.

3.   The qualified person shall suffer no disadvantage within the manufacturer's organisation in relation to the proper fulfilment of his duties.

3.   The person responsible for regulatory compliance shall suffer no disadvantage within the manufacturer's organisation in relation to the proper fulfilment of his duties.

4.   Authorised representatives shall have available within their organisation at least one qualified person who possesses expert knowledge regarding the regulatory requirements for medical devices in the Union. The expert knowledge shall be demonstrated by either of the following qualifications:

4.   Authorised representatives shall have available within their organisation at least one person responsible for regulatory compliance who possesses the requisite expertise regarding the regulatory requirements for medical devices in the Union. The requisite expertise shall be demonstrated by either of the following qualifications:

(a)

a diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualification awarded on completion of a university degree or of an equivalent course of study, in law, natural sciences, medicine, pharmacy, engineering or another relevant discipline , and at least two years of professional experience in regulatory affairs or in quality management systems relating to medical devices ;

(a)

a diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualification awarded on completion of a university degree or of an equivalent course of study, in law, natural sciences, medicine, pharmacy, engineering or another relevant discipline;

(b)

five years of professional experience in regulatory affairs or in quality management systems relating to medical devices.

(b)

three years of professional experience in regulatory affairs or in quality management systems relating to medical devices.

Amendment 111

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

A distributor, importer or other natural or legal person shall assume the obligations incumbent on the manufacturer under paragraph 1(a) only if the device in question was manufactured outside the Union. In the case of devices manufactured within the Union, the manufacturer’s proof of compliance with this Regulation shall suffice.

Amendment 112

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 — paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   Prior to making the relabelled or repackaged device available, the distributor or importer referred to in paragraph 3 shall inform the manufacturer and the competent authority of the Member State where he plans to make the device available and, upon request, shall provide them with a sample or a mock-up of the relabelled or repackaged device, including any translated label and instructions for use. He shall submit to the competent authority a certificate, issued by a notified body referred to in Article 29, designated for the type of devices that are subject to activities mentioned in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 2, attesting that the quality management system complies with the requirements laid down in paragraph 3.

4.    At least 28 calendar days prior to making the relabelled or repackaged device available, the distributor or importer referred to in paragraph 3 shall inform the manufacturer and the competent authority of the Member State where he plans to make the device available and, upon request, shall provide them with a sample of the relabelled or repackaged device, including any translated label and instructions for use. Within the same period of 28 calendar days, he shall submit to the competent authority a certificate, issued by a notified body referred to in Article 29, designated for the type of devices that are subject to activities mentioned in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 2, attesting that the quality management system complies with the requirements laid down in paragraph 3.

Amendment 113

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Article 15

deleted

Single-use devices and their reprocessing

 

1.     Any natural or legal person who reprocesses a single-use device to make it suitable for further use within the Union shall be considered to be the manufacturer of the reprocessed device and shall assume the obligations incumbent on manufacturers laid down in this Regulation.

 

2.     Only single-use devices that have been placed on the Union market in accordance with this Regulation, or prior to [date of application of this Regulation] in accordance with Directive 90/385/EEC or Directive 93/42/EEC may be reprocessed.

 

3.     In the case of reprocessing of single-use devices for critical use, only reprocessing that is considered safe according to the latest scientific evidence may be carried out.

 

4.     The Commission, by means of implementing acts, shall establish and regularly update a list of categories or groups of single-use devices for critical use which may be reprocessed in accordance with paragraph 3. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

 

5.     The name and address of the legal or natural person referred to in paragraph 1 and the other relevant information in accordance with Section 19 of Annex I shall be indicated on the label and, where applicable, in the instructions for use of the reprocessed device.

 

The name and address of the manufacturer of the original single-use device shall no longer appear on the label, but shall be mentioned in the instructions for use of the reprocessed device.

 

6.     A Member State may maintain or introduce national provisions prohibiting, within its territory, on grounds of protection of public health specific to that Member State the following:

 

(a)

the reprocessing of single-use devices and the transfer of single-use devices to another Member State or to a third country with a view to their reprocessing;

 

(b)

the making available of reprocessed single-use devices.

 

Member States shall notify the Commission and the other Member States of the national provisions and the grounds for introducing them. The Commission shall keep the information publicly available.

 

Amendment 257

Proposal for a regulation

Chapter VI a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Chapter VIa  (**)

Labelling and safe reprocessing of medical devices

Amendment 358

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 15a

 

General principles on safe reprocessing

 

1.     Any natural or legal person, including health institutions as specified in Article 4(4), who wishes to reprocess a single-use device to make it suitable for further use within the Union, and who can provide scientific evidence that such a device could be safely reprocessed shall be considered to be the manufacturer of its reprocessed device and shall be held liable for its reprocessing activities. The natural or legal person shall ensure the traceability of the reprocessed device and shall assume the obligations incumbent on manufacturers laid down in this Regulation, with the exception of obligations linked to the conformity assessment procedure.

 

2.     Only reusable devices that have been placed on the Union market in accordance with this Regulation, or prior to [date of application of this Regulation] in accordance with Directive 90/385/EEC or Directive 93/42/EEC may be reprocessed.

 

3.     Unless they are placed on the list of single-use devices referred to in Article 15b, medical devices shall be considered as suitable for reprocessing and reusable devices in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 15c, and providing the highest level of patient safety is guaranteed.

 

4.     A Member State may maintain or introduce national provisions prohibiting, within its territory, on grounds of protection of public health specific to that Member State the following:

 

(a)

the reprocessing of single-use devices and the transfer of single-use devices to another Member State or to a third country with a view to their reprocessing;

 

(b)

the making available of reprocessed single-use devices.

 

Member States shall notify the Commission and the other Member States of the national provisions and the grounds for introducing them. The Commission shall keep the information publicly available.

Amendment 359

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 15b

 

List of single-use devices unsuitable for reprocessing

 

1.     In accordance with Article 15a(3), the Commission, after the mandatory consultation of the MDAC shall establish, by means of delegated acts, a list of medical devices or types of medical device which are unsuitable for reprocessing. The Commission shall regularly update that list, including by adding or removing items. A first list shall be established no later than six months before the date of entry into force of this Regulation.

 

2.     The decision to include or remove any device or type of device from the list shall be made in particular by taking into account:

 

their intended use in or on the human body and the body parts they will be in contact with;

 

the conditions of their use;

 

their intended purpose;

 

the material which of which they are composed;

 

the severity of the disease that is being treated;

 

a genuine safety risk; and

 

the latest scientific and technological advancements in the relevant fields and disciplines.

 

3.     The delegated acts referred to in paragraph 1 shall be adopted in accordance with Article 89.

Amendment 118

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 15c

 

Reprocessing of medical devices labelled as reusable

 

1.     Any natural or legal person, including health institutions as specified in Article 4(4), who reprocesses a device labelled as ‘reusable’ shall:

 

comply with the EU standards referred to in paragraph 2;

 

ensure that, where a single-use device is removed from the list referred to in Article 15b, the reusable device is reprocessed in accordance with the opinion of the EU reference laboratory;

 

ensure that the reusable device is not reprocessed beyond the maximum number of times specified for that device;

 

2.     The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, and in collaboration with the International Medical Devices Regulatory Forum and international standardisation bodies, define a clear set of high quality and safety standards for reprocessing of single use devices, including specific requirements for the manufacturers of reprocessed devices.

 

3.     In drawing up these quality and safety standards, the Commission shall notably include:

 

cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation processes in line with the risk assessment for the respective devices,

 

requirements in relation to systems for hygiene, infection-prevention, quality management and documentation applicable to the natural or legal persons reprocessing the medical devices,

 

functionality testing of the devices after reprocessing.

 

These standards shall be consistent with the latest scientific evidence and guarantee the highest level of quality and safety, in accordance with the severity of the condition, as reflected in European standards from the European standardisation organisations, where the latter take into account the provisions of relevant international standards, in particular those of ISO and IEC, or any other international technical standards able to guarantee, at the very least, a higher level of quality, safety and performance than ISO and IEC standards.

 

3.     The natural or legal person referred to in paragraph 1 shall comply with EU standards referred to in paragraph 1 to ensure the quality of the reprocessing of medical devices labelled as ‘reusable’ and the safety of reprocessed devices.

 

4.     Where no harmonised standards exist or where relevant harmonised standards are not sufficient, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt CTS, as referred to in Article 7(1).

Amendment 377

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 d (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 15d

 

Report on the functioning of the system

 

No later than four years after the date of application of this Regulation, the Commission shall assess and draw up an evaluation report. The report shall be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council. Where appropriate, the report shall be accompanied by a legislative proposal.

Amendment 120

Proposal for a regulation

Article 16

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Implant card

Implant card and information about implantable devices

1.   The manufacturer of an implantable device shall provide together with the device an implant card which shall be made available to the particular patient who has been implanted with the device.

1.   The manufacturer of an implantable device shall provide together with the device an implant card which shall be made available to the healthcare professional implanting the device who shall be responsible for:

 

submitting the implant card to the patient, and

 

recording all the information contained on the implant card in the patient's medical records;

 

The implant card shall also be made available by the manufacturer in an electronic format and Member States shall ensure that hospitals and clinics keep an electronic version on record.

 

The following implants shall be exempted from this obligation: sutures, staples, dentals implants, screws and plates.

 

The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 amending or supplementing this list of exempted implants.

2.   This card shall contain the following:

2.   This card shall contain the following:

(a)

the information allowing identification of the device, including the Unique Device Identification;

(a)

the information allowing identification of the device, including the Unique Device Identification;

(b)

any warnings, precautions or measures to be taken by the patient or a healthcare professional with regard to reciprocal interference with reasonably foreseeable external influences or environmental conditions;

(b)

any warnings, precautions or measures to be taken by the patient or a healthcare professional with regard to reciprocal interference with reasonably foreseeable external influences or environmental conditions;

 

(ba)

description of potential adverse effects;

(c)

any information about the expected lifetime of the device and any necessary follow-up.

(c)

any information about the expected lifetime of the device and any necessary follow-up.

 

(ca)

principal characteristics of the device, including the materials used;

 

Member States may introduce national provisions requiring that the implant card includes also information on post-operative follow-up care measures.

The information shall be written in a way that is readily understood by a lay person.

The information shall be written in a way that is readily understood by a lay person.

Amendment 121

Proposal for a regulation

Article 21 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   Any natural or legal person who makes available on the market an article intended specifically to replace an identical or similar integral part or component of a device that is defective or worn in order to maintain or re-establish the function of the device without significantly changing its performance or safety characteristics, shall ensure that the article does not adversely affect the safety and performance of the device. Substantiating evidence shall be kept available to the competent authorities of the Member States.

1.   Any natural or legal person who makes available on the market an article intended specifically to replace an identical or similar integral part or component of a device that is defective or worn in order to maintain or re-establish the function of the device without changing its performance or safety characteristics, shall ensure that the article does not adversely affect the safety and performance of the device. When the article is a part of an implantable device, the natural or legal person who makes it available on the market shall cooperate with the manufacturer of the device to ensure its compatibility with the functioning part of the device in order to avoid the replacement of the whole device and its consequences for patient safety. Substantiating evidence shall be kept available to the competent authorities of the Member States.

Amendment 122

Proposal for a regulation

Article 21 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   An article that is intended specifically to replace a part or component of a device and that significantly changes the performance or safety characteristics of the device shall be considered a device.

2.   An article that is intended specifically to replace a part or component of a device and that changes the performance or safety characteristics of the device shall be considered as a device and shall meet the requirements laid down in this Regulation.

Amendment 258

Proposal for a regulation

Chapter III — title

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Identification and traceability of devices, registration of devices and of economic operators, European databank on medical devices

Amendment 123

Proposal for a regulation

Article 24 — paragraph 1 — introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   For devices, other than custom-made and investigational devices, a system for Unique Device Identification shall be put in place in the Union. The UDI system shall allow the identification and traceability of devices and shall consist of the following:

1.   For devices, other than custom-made and investigational devices, a single system for Unique Device Identification (UDI) shall be put in place in the Union. The UDI system shall allow the identification and traceability of devices , be coherent if possible with the global regulatory approach for UDI in medical devices, and shall consist of the following:

Amendment 124

Proposal for a regulation

Article 24 — paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

1a.     The UDI system shall be updated with the results of the post-market clinical follow-up evaluation report referred to in Section 3 of Part B of Annex XIII.

Amendment 125

Proposal for a regulation

Article 24 — paragraph 2 — point e — point i

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(i)

to operate its system for the assignment of UDIs for the period to be determined in the designation which shall at least be three years after its designation;

(i)

to operate its system for the assignment of UDIs for the period to be determined in the designation which shall at least be five years after its designation;

Amendment 126

Proposal for a regulation

Article 24 — paragraph 8 — point b

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b)

the legitimate interest in protecting commercially sensitive information;

(b)

the legitimate interest in protecting commercially sensitive information , providing that it does not conflict with public health protection ;

Amendment 127

Proposal for a regulation

Article 24 — paragraph 8 — point e a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(ea)

compatibility with other traceability systems used by the stakeholders involved with medical devices

Amendment 128

Proposal for a regulation

Article 24 — paragraph 8 — point e b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(eb)

the compatibility of the UDI systems with the safety features established under Directive 2011/62/EU.

Amendment 129

Proposal for a regulation

Article 25 — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Steps shall be taken to ensure that no additional national registration procedures are necessary.

Amendment 261

Proposal for a regulation

Chapter II a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Chapter IIa  (****)

Conformity assessment

Amendment 130

Proposal for a regulation

Article 26

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Summary of safety and clinical performance

Safety and clinical performance report

1.   In the case of devices classified as class III and implantable devices, other than custom-made or investigational devices, the manufacturer shall draw up a summary of safety and clinical performance. It shall be written in a way that is clear to the intended user . The draft of this summary shall be part of the documentation to be submitted to the notified body involved in the conformity assessment in accordance with Article 42 and shall be validated by that body.

1.   In the case of devices classified as class III and implantable devices, other than custom-made or investigational devices, the manufacturer shall draw up a report on the safety and clinical performance of the device based on the full information collected during the clinical investigation. The manufacturer shall also draw up a summary of that report which shall be written in a way that is easy for a lay person to understand in the official language(s) of the country where the medical device is made available on the market . The draft report shall be part of the documentation to be submitted to and validated by the special notified body involved in the conformity assessment in accordance with Article 43a .

 

1a.     The summary referred to in paragraph 1 shall be made available to the public through Eudamed in accordance with provisions under point (b) of Article 27(2) and point 18 of Annex V Part A.

2.   The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, set out the form and the presentation of the data elements to be included in the summary of safety and clinical performance . Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 88(2).

2.   The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, set out the format of the presentation of the data elements to be included in both the report and the summary referred to in paragraph 1 . Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 88(2).

Amendment 131

Proposal for a regulation

Article 27

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The Commission shall develop and manage the European databank on medical devices (Eudamed) for the following purposes:

1.   The Commission shall develop, and manage the European databank on medical devices (Eudamed) for the following purposes:

(a)

to enable the public to be adequately informed about devices placed on the market, about the corresponding certificates issued by notified bodies and about the relevant economic operators;

(a)

to enable the public to be adequately informed about devices placed on or removed from the market, about the corresponding certificates issued by notified bodies and about the relevant economic operators, with due regard to commercial confidentiality where justified ;

(b)

to enable traceability of devices within the internal market;

(b)

to enable traceability of devices within the internal market;

(c)

to enable the public to be adequately informed about clinical investigations and to enable sponsors of clinical investigations to be conducted in more than one Member State to comply with information obligations under Articles 50 to 60;

(c)

to enable the public to be adequately informed about clinical investigations, and to have an overview of vigilance data and market surveillance activities as well as to enable healthcare professionals to have adequate access to the results of clinical investigations, and to enable sponsors of clinical investigations to be conducted in more than one Member State to comply with information obligations under Articles 50 to 60;

(d)

to enable manufacturers to comply with information obligations under Articles 61 to 66;

(d)

to enable manufacturers to comply with information obligations under Articles 61 to 66;

(e)

to enable the competent authorities of the Member States and the Commission to carry out their tasks relating to this Regulation on a well informed basis and to enhance the cooperation between them.

(e)

to enable the competent authorities of the Member States and the Commission to carry out their tasks relating to this Regulation on a well informed basis and to enhance the cooperation between them.

2.   Eudamed shall include the following as integral parts:

2.   Eudamed shall include the following as integral parts:

(a)

the electronic system on UDI referred to in Article 24;

(a)

the electronic system on UDI referred to in Article 24;

(b)

the electronic system on registration of devices and economic operators referred to in Article 25;

(b)

the electronic system on registration of devices and economic operators referred to in Article 25;

(c)

the electronic system on information on certificates referred to in Article 45(4);

(c)

the electronic system on information on certificates referred to in Article 45(4);

(d)

the electronic system on clinical investigations referred to in Article 53,

(d)

the electronic system on clinical investigations referred to in Article 53,

(e)

the electronic system on vigilance referred to in Article 62;

(e)

the electronic system on vigilance referred to in Article 62;

(f)

the electronic system on market surveillance referred to in Article 68.

(f)

the electronic system on market surveillance referred to in Article 68;

 

(fa)

the electronic system on registration of subsidiaries and subcontracting referred to in Article 30a;

 

(fb)

the electronic system on special notified bodies referred to in Article 43b .

3.   The data shall be entered into Eudamed by the Member States, notified bodies, economic operators and sponsors as specified in the provisions concerning the electronic systems referred to in paragraph 2.

3.   The data shall be entered into Eudamed by the Commission, the Member States, notified bodies, economic operators, sponsors and healthcare professionals as specified in the provisions concerning the electronic systems referred to in paragraph 2.

4.   All the information collated and processed by Eudamed shall be accessible to the Member States and to the Commission. The information shall be accessible to notified bodies, economic operators, sponsors and the public to the extent defined in the provisions referred to in paragraph 2.

4.   All the information collated and processed by Eudamed shall be accessible to the Member States and to the Commission. The information shall be accessible to notified bodies, economic operators, sponsors, healthcare professionals and the public to the extent defined in the provisions referred to in paragraph 2.

5.   Eudamed shall contain personal data only insofar as this is necessary for the electronic systems referred to in paragraph 2 to collate and process the information in accordance with this Regulation. Personal data shall be kept in a form which permits identification of the data subjects for no longer than the periods referred to in Article 8(4).

5.   Eudamed shall contain personal data only insofar as this is necessary for the electronic systems referred to in paragraph 2 to collate and process the information in accordance with this Regulation. Personal data shall be kept in a form which permits identification of the data subjects for no longer than the periods referred to in Article 8(4).

6.   The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that the data subjects may effectively exercise their rights to information, to access, to rectify and to object in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Directive 95/46/EC, respectively. They shall ensure that the data subjects may effectively exercise the right of access to data relating to them, and the right to have inaccurate or incomplete data corrected and erased. Within their respective responsibilities, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that inaccurate and unlawfully processed data is deleted, in accordance with the applicable legislation. Corrections and deletions shall be carried out as soon as possible, but no later than within 60 days after a request is made by a data subject.

6.   The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that the data subjects may effectively exercise their rights to information, to access, to rectify and to object in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Directive 95/46/EC, respectively. They shall ensure that the data subjects may effectively exercise the right of access to data relating to them, and the right to have inaccurate or incomplete data corrected and erased. Within their respective responsibilities, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that inaccurate and unlawfully processed data is deleted, in accordance with the applicable legislation. Corrections and deletions shall be carried out as soon as possible, but no later than within 60 days after a request is made by a data subject.

7.   The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, lay down the modalities necessary for the development and management of Eudamed. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

7.   The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, lay down the modalities necessary for the development and management of Eudamed. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

 

7a.     The information contained in the European Databank shall be robust, transparent and user-friendly, enabling the public and healthcare professionals to compare information on registered devices, economic operators, clinical investigations, vigilance data and market-surveillance activities.

 

When developing and managing Eudamed, the Commission shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders including patient and consumer organisations, ensure that all publicly accessible parts of Eudamed are presented in a user-friendly format.

8.   In relation to its responsibilities under this Article and the processing of personal data involved therein, the Commission shall be considered controller of Eudamed and its electronic systems.

8.   In relation to its responsibilities under this Article and the processing of personal data involved therein, the Commission shall be considered controller of Eudamed and its electronic systems.

Amendment 259

Proposal for a regulation

Chapter IV — title

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Notified bodies

Amendment 132

Proposal for a regulation

Article 28 — paragraphs 5 to 8

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall safeguard the confidentiality of the information it obtains. However, it shall exchange information on a notified body with other Member States and the Commission.

5.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall safeguard the confidential aspects of the information it obtains. However, it shall exchange information on a notified body with other Member States and the Commission.

6.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall have a sufficient number of competent personnel at its disposal for the proper performance of its tasks.

6.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall have a sufficient number of permanent and competent personnel ‘in house’ , for the proper performance of its tasks. Compliance with that requirement shall be assessed in the peer-review referred to in paragraph 8.

 

In particular, the personnel of the national authority responsible for auditing the work of personnel of notified bodies in charge of carrying out product related reviews shall have proven qualifications equivalent to those of the personnel of the notified bodies as laid down in point 3.2.5. of Annex VI.

 

Similarly, the personnel of the national authority responsible for auditing the work of personnel of notified bodies in charge of carrying out audits of the manufacturer's quality management system shall have proven qualifications equivalent to those of the personnel of the notified bodies as laid down in point 3.2.6. of Annex VI.

Without prejudice to Article 33(3), where a national authority is responsible for the designation of notified bodies in the field of products other than medical devices, the competent authority for medical devices shall be consulted on all aspects specifically related to medical devices.

Where a national authority is responsible for the designation of notified bodies in the field of products other than medical devices, the competent authority for medical devices shall be consulted on all aspects specifically related to medical devices.

7.   Member States shall provide the Commission and the other Member States with information on their procedures for the assessment, designation and notification of conformity assessment bodies and for the monitoring of notified bodies, and of any changes thereto.

7.    The ultimate responsibility for the notified bodies and the national authority responsible for notified bodies lies with the Member State in which they are located. The Member State is required to check that the designated national authority responsible for notified bodies performs its work on the assessment, designation and notification of conformity assessment bodies and for the monitoring of the notified bodies properly and that the designated national authority responsible for notified bodies works impartially and objectively. Member States shall provide the Commission and the other Member States with all information they request on their procedures for the assessment, designation and notification of conformity assessment bodies and for the monitoring of notified bodies, and of any changes thereto. Such information shall be publicly available subject to provisions under Article 84.

8.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall be peer-reviewed every second year. The peer-review shall include an on-site visit to a conformity assessment body or a notified body under the responsibility of the reviewed authority. In the case referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 6, the competent authority for medical devices shall participate in the peer-review.

8.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall be peer-reviewed every second year. The peer-review shall include an on-site visit to a conformity assessment body or a notified body under the responsibility of the reviewed authority. In the case referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 6, the competent authority for medical devices shall participate in the peer-review.

The Member States shall draw up the annual plan for the peer-review, ensuring an appropriate rotation in respect of reviewing and reviewed authorities, and submit it to the Commission. The Commission may participate in the review. The outcome of the peer-review shall be communicated to all Member States and to the Commission and a summary of the outcome shall be made publicly available.

The Member States shall draw up the annual plan for the peer-review, ensuring an appropriate rotation in respect of reviewing and reviewed authorities, and submit it to the Commission. The Commission shall participate in the review. The outcome of the peer-review shall be communicated to all Member States and a summary of the outcome shall be made publicly available.

Amendment 133

Proposal for a regulation

Article 29 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   Notified bodies shall satisfy the organisational and general requirements and the quality management, resource and process requirements that are necessary to fulfil their tasks for which they are designated in accordance with this Regulation. Minimum requirements to be met by notified bodies are set out in Annex VI.

1.   Notified bodies shall satisfy the organisational and general requirements and the quality management, resource and process requirements that are necessary to fulfil their tasks for which they are designated in accordance with this Regulation. In this respect, permanent in-house administrative, technical and scientific personnel, with medical, technical and where needed pharmacological knowledge shall be ensured. Permanent in-house personnel shall be used, but notified bodies may hire external experts on an ad hoc and temporary basis as and when needed. Minimum requirements to be met by notified bodies are set out in Annex VI. In particular, in accordance with point 1.2. of Annex VI, the notified body shall be organised and operated so as to safeguard the independence, objectivity and impartiality of its activities and avoid conflict of interests.

 

The notified body shall publish a list of its staff responsible for the conformity assessment and certification of medical devices. This list shall at least contain the qualifications, curriculum vitae and declaration of interests for each member of staff. The list shall be sent to the national authority responsible for notified bodies which shall check that the staff satisfies the requirements of this Regulation. The list shall also be sent to the Commission.

Amendment 134

Proposal for a regulation

Article 30

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

-1.     Notified bodies shall have permanent in-house competent personnel and expertise, both in technical fields linked with the assessment of the performance of the devices, and in the medical field. They shall have the capacity to evaluate in house the quality of subcontractors.

 

Contracts may be awarded to external experts for the assessment of medical devices or technologies in particular where clinical expertise is limited.

1.   Where a notified body subcontracts specific tasks connected with conformity assessment or has recourse to a subsidiary for specific tasks connected with conformity assessment, it shall verify that the subcontractor or the subsidiary meets the relevant requirements set out in Annex VI and shall inform the national authority responsible for notified bodies accordingly.

1.   Where a notified body subcontracts specific tasks connected with conformity assessment or has recourse to a subsidiary for specific tasks connected with conformity assessment, it shall verify that the subcontractor or the subsidiary meets the relevant requirements set out in Annex VI and shall inform the national authority responsible for notified bodies accordingly.

2.   Notified bodies shall take full responsibility for the tasks performed on their behalf by subcontractors or subsidiaries.

2.   Notified bodies shall take full responsibility for the tasks performed on their behalf by subcontractors or subsidiaries.

 

2a.     Notified bodies shall make publicly available the list of subcontractors or subsidiaries, the specific tasks for which they are responsible and the declarations of interest of their personnel.

3.   Conformity assessment activities may be subcontracted or carried out by a subsidiary only with the agreement of the legal or natural person that applied for conformity assessment.

3.   Conformity assessment activities may be subcontracted or carried out by a subsidiary only with the explicit agreement of the legal or natural person that applied for conformity assessment.

4.   Notified bodies shall keep at the disposal of the national authority responsible for notified bodies the relevant documents concerning the verification of the qualifications of the subcontractor or the subsidiary and the work carried out by them under this Regulation.

4.    At least once a year , notified bodies shall submit to the national authority responsible for notified bodies the relevant documents concerning the verification of the qualifications of the subcontractor or the subsidiary and the work carried out by them under this Regulation.

 

4a.     The annual assessment of notified bodies as provided for in Article 35(3) shall include verification of the compliance of the subcontractor(s) or the subsidiary/ies of notified bodies with the requirements set out in Annex VI.

Amendment 135

Proposal for a regulation

Article 30 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 30a

 

Electronic system on registration of subsidiaries and subcontractors

 

1.     The Commission, in collaboration with the Member States, shall set up and manage an electronic system to collate and process information on subcontractors and subsidiaries, as well as on the specific tasks for which they are responsible.

 

2.     Before subcontracting can effectively take place, the notified body which intends to subcontract specific tasks connected with conformity assessment or has recourse to a subsidiary for specific tasks connected with conformity assessment, shall register their name(s) together with their specific tasks.

 

3.     Within one week of any change occurring in relation to the information referred to in paragraph 1, the relevant economic operator shall update the data in the electronic system.

 

4.     The data contained in the electronic system shall be accessible to the public.

Amendment 136

Proposal for a regulation

Article 31 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

In case a conformity assessment body wants to be notified for devices referred to in Article 43a(1), it shall indicate so and submit an application for notification to the EMA in accordance with Article 43a.

Amendment 137

Proposal for a regulation

Article 32 — paragraphs 3 to 6

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3.   Within 14 days of the submission referred to in paragraph 2, the Commission shall designate a joint assessment team made up of at least two experts chosen from a list of experts who are qualified in the assessment of conformity assessment bodies. The list shall be drawn up by the Commission in cooperation with the MDCG. At least one of these experts shall be a representative of the Commission who shall lead the joint assessment team.

3.   Within 14 days of the submission referred to in paragraph 2, the Commission shall designate a joint assessment team made up of at least three experts chosen from a list of experts who are qualified in the assessment of conformity assessment bodies and free of conflicts of interest with the applicant conformity assessment body. The list shall be drawn up by the Commission in cooperation with the MDCG. At least one of these experts shall be a representative of the Commission, and at least one other shall come from a Member State other than the one in which the applicant conformity assessment body is established. The Commission representative shall lead the joint assessment team. In case the conformity assessment body has asked to be notified for devices referred to in Article 43a(1), the EMA shall also be part of the joint assessment team.

4.   Within 90 days after designation of the joint assessment team, the national authority responsible for notified bodies and the joint assessment team shall review the documentation submitted with the application in accordance with Article 31 and conduct an on-site assessment of the applicant conformity assessment body and, where relevant, of any subsidiary or sub-contractor, located inside or outside the Union, to be involved in the conformity assessment process. Such on-site assessment shall not cover requirements for which the applicant conformity assessment body has received a certificate delivered by the national accreditation body as referred to in Article 31(2), unless the Commission representative mentioned in Article 32(3) requests the on-site assessment.

4.   Within 90 days after designation of the joint assessment team, the national authority responsible for notified bodies and the joint assessment team shall review the documentation submitted with the application in accordance with Article 31 and conduct an on-site assessment of the applicant conformity assessment body and, where relevant, of any subsidiary or sub-contractor, located inside or outside the Union, to be involved in the conformity assessment process. Such on-site assessment shall not cover requirements for which the applicant conformity assessment body has received a certificate delivered by the national accreditation body as referred to in Article 31(2), unless the Commission representative mentioned in Article 32(3) requests the on-site assessment.

Findings regarding non-compliance of a body with the requirements set out in Annex VI shall be raised during the assessment process and discussed between the national authority responsible for notified bodies and the joint assessment team with a view to finding common agreement with respect to the assessment of the application. Divergent opinions shall be identified in the assessment report of the national authority responsible.

Findings regarding non-compliance of a n applicant conformity assessment body with the requirements set out in Annex VI shall be raised during the assessment process and discussed between the national authority responsible for notified bodies and the joint assessment team. The national authority shall set out in the assessment report the measures that the notify body shall take to ensure compliance of that applicant conformity assessment body with the requirements set out in Annex VI. In the event of a disagreement, a separate opinion drawn up by the assessment team setting out its reservations regarding notification shall be appended to the assessment report of the national authority responsible.

5.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall submit its assessment report and its draft notification to the Commission which shall immediately transmit those documents to the MDCG and to the members of the joint assessment team. Upon request by the Commission, those documents shall be submitted by the authority in up to three official Union languages.

5.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall submit its assessment report and its draft notification to the Commission which shall immediately transmit those documents to the MDCG and to the members of the joint assessment team. If the assessment team draws up a separate opinion, this too shall be submitted to the Commission for forwarding to the MDCG. Upon request by the Commission, those documents shall be submitted by the authority in up to three official Union languages.

6.   The joint assessment team shall provide its opinion regarding the assessment report and the draft notification within 21 days of receipt of those documents and the Commission shall immediately submit this opinion to the MDCG. Within 21 days after receipt of the opinion of the joint assessment team, the MDCG shall issue a recommendation with regard to the draft notification which the relevant national authority shall duly take into consideration for its decision on the designation of the notified body.

6.   The joint assessment team shall provide its final opinion regarding the assessment report, the draft notification and, where appropriate, the separate opinion drawn up by the assessment team, within 21 days of receipt of those documents and the Commission shall immediately submit this opinion to the MDCG. Within 21 days after receipt of the opinion of the joint assessment team, the MDCG shall issue a recommendation with regard to the draft notification . The relevant national authority shall base its decision on the designation of the notified body on the recommendation by the MDCG. In case where its decision differs from the MDCG recommendation, the relevant national authority shall provide the MDCG in writing with all the necessary justification for its decision.

Amendment 138

Proposal for a regulation

Article 33 — paragraphs 2 to 4 and 8 to 9

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   Member States may notify only conformity assessment bodies which satisfy the requirements set out in Annex VI.

2.   Member States shall notify only conformity assessment bodies which satisfy the requirements set out in Annex VI and for which the application assessment procedure has been completed in accordance with Article 32.

3.     Where a national authority responsible for notified bodies is responsible for designation of notified bodies in the field of products other than medical devices, the competent authority for medical devices shall provide, prior to the notification, a positive opinion on the notification and its scope.

 

4.   The notification shall clearly specify the scope of the designation indicating the conformity assessment activities, the conformity assessment procedures and the type of devices which the notified body is authorised to assess.

4.   The notification shall clearly specify the scope of the designation indicating the conformity assessment activities, the conformity assessment procedures, the risk class and the type of devices which the notified body is authorised to assess.

The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, set up a list of codes and the corresponding types of devices to define the scope of the designation of notified bodies which the Member States shall indicate in their notification. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 88(2).

The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, set up a list of codes and the corresponding risk-classes and types of devices to define the scope of the designation of notified bodies which the Member States shall indicate in their notification. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 88(2).

8.   When a Member State or the Commission raises objections in accordance with paragraph 7, the effect of the notification shall be suspended. In this case, the Commission shall bring the matter before the MDCG within 15 days after expiry of the period referred to in paragraph 7. After consulting the parties involved, the MDCG shall give its opinion at the latest within 28 days after the matter has been brought before it. If the notifying Member State does not agree with the opinion of the MDCG, it may request the Commission to give its opinion.

8.   When a Member State or the Commission raises objections in accordance with paragraph 7, the effect of the notification shall be immediately suspended. In this case, the Commission shall bring the matter before the MDCG within 15 days after expiry of the period referred to in paragraph 7. After consulting the parties involved, the MDCG shall give its opinion at the latest within 28 days after the matter has been brought before it. If the notifying Member State does not agree with the opinion of the MDCG, it may request the Commission to give its opinion.

9.   Where no objection is raised in accordance with paragraph 7 or where the MDCG or the Commission, after having been consulted in accordance with paragraph 8, is of the opinion that the notification may be accepted fully or partially , the Commission shall publish the notification accordingly.

9.   Where no objection is raised in accordance with paragraph 7 or where the MDCG or the Commission, after having been consulted in accordance with paragraph 8, is of the opinion that the notification may be accepted fully, the Commission shall publish the notification accordingly.

 

The Commission shall also enter information on the notification of the notified body into the electronic system referred to in Article 27(2). That information shall be accompanied by the final assessment report of the national authority responsible for notified bodies, the opinion of the joint assessment team and the recommendation of the MDCG, as referred to in this article.

 

The full details of the notification, including the class and the typology of devices, as well as the annexes, shall be made publicly available.

Amendment 139

Proposal for a regulation

Article 34 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The Commission shall assign an identification number to each notified body for which the notification is accepted in accordance with Article 33. It shall assign a single identification number even when the body is notified under several Union acts.

1.   The Commission shall assign an identification number to each notified body for which the notification is accepted in accordance with Article 33. It shall assign a single identification number even when the body is notified under several Union acts. If they are successfully renotified, bodies notified pursuant to Directives 90/385/EEC and 93/42/EEC shall retain the identification number assigned to them.

Amendment 140

Proposal for a regulation

Article 34 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   The Commission shall make the list of the bodies notified under this Regulation, including the identification numbers that have been assigned to them and the activities for which they have been notified, accessible to the public. The Commission shall ensure that the list is kept up to date.

2.   The Commission shall make the list of the bodies notified under this Regulation, including the identification numbers that have been assigned to them and the activities for which they have been notified, easily accessible to the public. The Commission shall ensure that the list is kept up to date

Amendment 141

Proposal for a regulation

Article 35

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall continuously monitor the notified bodies to ensure ongoing compliance with the requirements set out in Annex VI. The notified bodies shall, on request, supply all relevant information and documents, required to enable the authority to verify compliance with those criteria.

1.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies , and where applicable the EMA, shall continuously monitor the notified bodies to ensure ongoing compliance with the requirements set out in Annex VI. The notified bodies shall, on request, supply all relevant information and documents, required to enable the authority to verify compliance with those criteria.

Notified bodies shall, without delay, inform the national authority responsible for notified bodies of any changes, in particular regarding their personnel, facilities, subsidiaries or subcontractors, which may affect compliance with the requirements set out in Annex VI or their ability to conduct the conformity assessment procedures relating to the devices for which they have been designated.

Notified bodies shall, without delay, and within 15 days at the latest, inform the national authority responsible for notified bodies of any changes, in particular regarding their personnel, facilities, subsidiaries or subcontractors, which may affect compliance with the requirements set out in Annex VI or their ability to conduct the conformity assessment procedures relating to the devices for which they have been designated.

2.   Notified bodies shall respond without delay to requests relating to conformity assessments they have carried out, submitted by their or another Member State's authority or by the Commission. The national authority responsible for notified bodies of the Member State in which the body is established shall enforce requests submitted by authorities of any other Member State or by the Commission unless there is a legitimate reason for not doing so in which case both sides may consult the MDCG. The notified body or their national authority responsible for notified bodies may request that any information transmitted to the authorities of another Member State or to the Commission shall be treated confidential.

2.   Notified bodies shall respond without delay, and within 15 days at the latest, to requests relating to conformity assessments they have carried out, submitted by their or another Member State's authority or by the Commission. The national authority responsible for notified bodies of the Member State in which the body is established shall enforce requests submitted by authorities of any other Member State or by the Commission. Where there is a legitimate reason for not doing so, the notified bodies shall explain these reasons in writing and shall consult the MDCG , which shall then issue a recommendation. The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall comply with the MDCG's recommendation.

3.   At least once a year, the national authority responsible for notified bodies shall assess whether each notified body under its responsibility still satisfies the requirements set out in Annex VI. This assessment shall include an on-site visit to each notified body.

3.   At least once a year, the national authority responsible for notified bodies shall assess whether each notified body under its responsibility still satisfies the requirements set out in Annex VI , including an assessment of whether its subcontractor(s) and subsidiary/-ies satisfy these requirements. This assessment shall include an unannounced inspection through an on-site visit to each notified body , and to each subsidiary or subcontractor within or outside the Union, if relevant .

 

The assessment shall also include a review of samples of the design dossier assessments carried out by the notified body to determine the ongoing competence of the notified body and quality of its assessments, in particular the notified body's ability to evaluate and assess clinical evidence.

4.    Three years after notification of a notified body, and again every third year thereafter, the assessment to determine whether the notified body still satisfies the requirements set out in Annex VI shall be conducted by the national authority responsible for notified bodies of the Member State in which the body is established and a joint assessment team designated in accordance with the procedure described in Article 32(3) and (4). At the request of the Commission or of a Member State, the MDCG may initiate the assessment process described in this paragraph at any time when there is reasonable concern about the ongoing compliance of a notified body with the requirements set out in Annex VI.

4.    Two years after notification of a notified body, and again every second year thereafter, the assessment to determine whether the notified body and its subsidiaries and subcontractors still satisfy the requirements set out in Annex VI shall be conducted by the national authority responsible for notified bodies of the Member State in which the body is established and a joint assessment team designated in accordance with the procedure described in Article 32(3) and (4). At the request of the Commission or of a Member State, the MDCG may initiate the assessment process described in this paragraph at any time when there is reasonable concern about the ongoing compliance of a notified body, or a subsidiary or subcontractor of a notified body, with the requirements set out in Annex VI.

 

For special notified bodies under Article 43a, the assessment referred to in this paragraph shall be performed every year.

 

The comprehensive results of the assessments shall be published.

5.   The Member States shall report to the Commission and to the other Member States, at least once a year, on their monitoring activities. This report shall contain a summary which shall be made publicly available.

5.   The Member States shall report to the Commission and to the other Member States, at least once a year, on their monitoring activities. This report shall contain a summary which shall be made publicly available.

 

5a.     Every year, the notified bodies shall forward an annual activity report setting out the information referred to in point 3.5 of Annex VI to the competent authority and to the Commission, which shall forward it to the MDCG.

Amendment 142

Proposal for a regulation

Article 35 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 35a

 

Penalties

 

Member States shall ensure they have a system of penalties in place in case notified bodies do not fulfil the minimum requirements. This system should be transparent and proportionate to the nature and level of the non-compliance.

Amendment 143

Proposal for a regulation

Article 36

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The Commission and the other Member States shall be notified of any subsequent relevant changes to the notification. The procedures described in Article 32(2) to (6) and in Article 33 shall apply to changes where they entail an extension of the scope of the notification. In all other cases, the Commission shall immediately publish the amended notification in the electronic notification tool referred to in Article 33(10).

1.   The Commission and the other Member States shall be notified of any subsequent relevant changes to the notification. The procedures described in Article 32(2) to (6) and in Article 33 shall apply to changes where they entail an extension of the scope of the notification. In all other cases, the Commission shall immediately publish the amended notification in the electronic notification tool referred to in Article 33(10).

2.   Where a national authority responsible for notified bodies has ascertained that a notified body no longer meets the requirements set out in Annex VI, or that it is failing to fulfil its obligations, the authority shall suspend, restrict, or fully or partially withdraw the notification, depending on the seriousness of the failure to meet those requirements or fulfil those obligations. A suspension shall not exceed a period of one year, renewable once for the same period . Where the notified body has ceased its activity, the national authority responsible for notified bodies shall withdraw the notification.

2.   Where a national authority responsible for notified bodies has ascertained that a notified body no longer meets the requirements set out in Annex VI, or that it is failing to fulfil its obligations, the authority shall suspend, restrict, or fully or partially withdraw the notification, depending on the seriousness of the failure to meet those requirements or fulfil those obligations. Suspension shall apply until a decision to annul the suspension has been reached by the MDCG, which shall follow an assessment by a joint assessment team designated in accordance with the procedure described in Article 32(3). Where the notified body has ceased its activity, the national authority responsible for notified bodies shall withdraw the notification.

The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall immediately inform the Commission and the other Member States of any suspension, restriction or withdrawal of a notification.

The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall immediately and within 10 days at the latest, inform the Commission, the other Member States and the relevant manufacturers and health professionals of any suspension, restriction or withdrawal of a notification.

3.   In the event of restriction, suspension or withdrawal of a notification, the Member State shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the files of the notified body concerned are either processed by another notified body or kept available for the national authorities responsible for notified bodies and for market surveillance at their request.

3.   In the event of restriction, suspension or withdrawal of a notification, the Member State shall inform the Commission and shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the files of the notified body concerned are either processed by another notified body or kept available for the national authorities responsible for notified bodies and for market surveillance at their request.

4.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall assess whether the reasons which gave rise to the change to the notification have an impact on the certificates issued by the notified body and, within three months after having notified the changes to the notification, shall submit a report on its findings to the Commission and the other Member States. Where necessary to ensure the safety of devices on the market, that authority shall instruct the notified body to suspend or withdraw, within a reasonable period of time determined by the authority, any certificates which were unduly issued. If the notified body fails to do so within the determined period of time, or has ceased its activity, the national authority responsible for notified bodies itself shall suspend or withdraw the certificates unduly issued.

4.   The national authority responsible for notified bodies shall assess whether the reasons which gave rise to the suspension, restriction or withdrawal of the notification have an impact on the certificates issued by the notified body and, within three months after having notified the changes to the notification, shall submit a report on its findings to the Commission and the other Member States. Where necessary to ensure the safety of devices on the market, that authority shall instruct the notified body to suspend or withdraw, within a reasonable period of time determined by the authority, and at the latest 30 days after the publication of the report, any certificates which were unduly issued. If the notified body fails to do so within the determined period of time, or has ceased its activity, the national authority responsible for notified bodies itself shall suspend or withdraw the certificates unduly issued.

 

With a view to verifying whether the reasons for the suspension, restriction or withdrawal of the notification have implications for the certificates issued, the national authority responsible shall ask the relevant manufacturers to supply evidence of conformity at notification, and the manufacturers shall have 30 days in which to respond to that request.

5.   The certificates, other than those unduly issued, which were issued by the notified body for which the notification has been suspended, restricted or withdrawn shall remain valid in the following circumstances:

5.   The certificates, other than those unduly issued, which were issued by the notified body for which the notification has been suspended, restricted or withdrawn shall remain valid in the following circumstances:

(a)

in the case of suspension of a notification: on condition that, within three months of the suspension , either the competent authority for medical devices of the Member State in which the manufacturer of the device covered by the certificate is established, or another notified body confirm in writing that it is assuming the functions of the notified body during the period of suspension;

(a)

in the case of suspension of a notification: on condition that, within three months of the suspension another notified body confirm in writing that it is assuming the functions of the notified body during the period of suspension;

(b)

in the case of restriction or withdrawal of a notification: for a period of three months after the restriction or withdrawal. The competent authority for medical devices of the Member State in which the manufacturer of the device covered by the certificate is established may extend the validity of the certificates for further periods of three months, which altogether may not exceed twelve months, provided it is assuming the functions of the notified body during this period.

(b)

in the case of restriction or withdrawal of a notification: for a period of three months after the restriction or withdrawal. The competent authority for medical devices of the Member State in which the manufacturer of the device covered by the certificate is established may extend the validity of the certificates for further periods of three months, which altogether may not exceed twelve months, provided it is assuming the functions of the notified body during this period.

The authority or the notified body assuming the functions of the notified body affected by the change of notification shall immediately inform the Commission, the other Member States and the other notified bodies thereof.

The authority or the notified body assuming the functions of the notified body affected by the change of notification shall immediately and within 10 days at the latest, inform the Commission, the other Member States and the other notified bodies thereof.

 

The Commission shall immediately and within 10 days at the latest enter information on the changes to the notification of the notified body into the electronic system referred to in Article 27(2).

Amendment 144

Proposal for a regulation

Article 37 — paragraph 3 — subparagraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Where the Commission ascertains that a notified body no longer meets the requirements for its notification, it shall inform the notifying Member State accordingly and request it to take the necessary corrective measures, including the suspension, restriction or withdrawal of the notification if necessary.

Where the Commission ascertains that a notified body no longer meets the requirements for its notification, it shall inform the notifying Member State accordingly and request it to take the necessary corrective measures, including the suspension, restriction or withdrawal of the notification if necessary. The Commission shall make a report with the opinions of Member States publicly available after the assessment.

Amendment 145

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

The Commission shall ensure that appropriate coordination and cooperation between notified bodies is put in place and operated in the form of a coordination group of notified bodies in the field of medical devices, including in vitro diagnostic medical devices.

The Commission , in consultation with the MDCG, shall ensure that appropriate coordination and cooperation between notified bodies is put in place and operated in the form of a coordination group of notified bodies in the field of medical devices, including in vitro diagnostic medical devices. This group shall meet on a regular basis and at least twice a year.

Amendment 146

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 — paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

The Commission or the MDCG may request the participation of any notified body.

Amendment 147

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 — paragraph 2 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, adopt measures setting out the modalities for the functioning of the coordination group of notified bodies as set out in this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 84(3).

Amendment 148

Proposal for a regulation

Article 40

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Fees

Fees for the activities of national authorities

1.   The Member State where the bodies are established shall levy fees on applicant conformity assessment bodies and on notified bodies. These fees shall, wholly or partly, cover the costs relating to the activities exercised by the national authorities responsible for notified bodies in accordance with this Regulation.

1.   The Member State where the bodies are established shall levy fees on applicant conformity assessment bodies and on notified bodies. These fees shall, wholly or partly, cover the costs relating to the activities exercised by the national authorities responsible for notified bodies in accordance with this Regulation.

2.   The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 setting out the structure and the level of the fees referred to in paragraph 1, taking into account the objectives of protection of human health and safety, support of innovation and cost-effectiveness. Particular attention shall be paid to the interests of notified bodies that submitted a valid certificate delivered by the national accreditation body as referred to in Article 31(2) and notified bodies that are small and medium-sized enterprises as defined by Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.

2.   The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 setting out the structure and the level of the fees referred to in paragraph 1, taking into account the objectives of protection of human health and safety, support of innovation, cost-effectiveness and the need to create a level-playing field across Member States. Particular attention shall be paid to the interests of notified bodies that submitted a valid certificate delivered by the national accreditation body as referred to in Article 31(2) and notified bodies that are small and medium-sized enterprises as defined by Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.

 

These fees shall be proportionate and consistent with national standards of living. The level of fees shall be made public.

Amendment 149

Proposal for a regulation

Article 40 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 40 a

 

Transparency on fees charged by notified bodies for conformity assessment activities

 

1.     Member States shall adopt provisions on standard fees for notified bodies.

 

2.     Fees shall be comparable across Member States. The Commission shall provide guidelines to facilitate comparability of those fees within 24 months from the date of entry into force of this Regulation.

 

3.     Member States shall transmit their list of standard fees to the Commission.

 

4.     The national authority shall ensure that the notified bodies make the lists of standard fees for the conformity assessment activities publicly available.

Amendment 260

Proposal for a regulation

Chapter V — title

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Classification of medical devices

Amendment 150

Proposal for a regulation

Article 41 — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

At least 14 days prior to any decision, the competent authority shall notify the MDCG and the Commission of its envisaged decision.

At least 14 days prior to any decision, the competent authority shall notify the MDCG and the Commission of its envisaged decision. The final decision shall be made publically available in the Eudamed.

Amendment 151

Proposal for a regulation

Article 41 — paragraph 3 — subparagraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

The Commission may, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, by means of implementing acts, decide on the application of the classification criteria set out in Annex VII to a given device, or category or group of devices, with a view to determining their classification.

The Commission may, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, by means of implementing acts, decide on the application of the classification criteria set out in Annex VII to a given device, or category or group of devices, with a view to determining their classification. Such decision should in particular be taken in order to resolve diverging decisions between Member States.

Amendment 152

Proposal for a regulation

Article 41 — paragraph 3 — subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3). Before adopting implementing acts, the Commission shall consult with relevant stakeholders and take into account their suggestions.

Amendment 153

Proposal for a regulation

Article 41 — paragraph 4 — introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   In the light of technical progress and any information which becomes available in the course of the vigilance and market surveillance activities described in Articles 61 to 75, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 as regards the following:

4.   In the light of technical progress and any information which becomes available in the course of the vigilance and market surveillance activities described in Articles 61 to 75, the Commission , having consulted relevant stakeholders, including organisations of healthcare professionals, shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 as regards the following:

Amendment 154

Proposal for a regulation

Article 42 — paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   Manufacturers of devices classified as class IIa, other than custom-made or investigational devices, shall be subject to a conformity assessment based on full quality assurance as specified in Annex VIII, except for its Chapter II, with assessment of the design documentation within the technical documentation on a representative basis. Alternatively, the manufacturer may choose to draw up the technical documentation set out in Annex II coupled with a conformity assessment based on product conformity verification as specified in Section 7 of Part A or Section 8 of Part B of Annex X.

4.   Manufacturers of devices classified as class IIa, other than custom-made or investigational devices, shall be subject to a conformity assessment based on full quality assurance as specified in Annex VIII, except for its Chapter II, with assessment of the prototype and the design documentation within the technical documentation on a representative basis. Alternatively, the manufacturer may choose to draw up the technical documentation set out in Annex II coupled with a conformity assessment based on product conformity verification as specified in Section 7 of Part A or Section 8 of Part B of Annex X.

Amendment 155

Proposal for a regulation

Article 42 — paragraph 10 — subparagraph 1 — introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

The Commission may , by means of implementing acts, specify the modalities and the procedural aspects with a view to ensuring harmonised application of the conformity assessment procedures by the notified bodies for any of the following aspects:

The Commission shall , by means of implementing acts, specify the modalities and the procedural aspects with a view to ensuring harmonised application of the conformity assessment procedures by the notified bodies for any of the following aspects:

Amendment 156

Proposal for a regulation

Article 42 — paragraph 10 — subparagraph 1 — indent 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

the minimum frequency of unannounced factory inspections and sample checks to be conducted by notified bodies in accordance with Section 4.4 of Annex VIII, taking into account the risk-class and the type of device;

deleted

Amendment 157

Proposal for a regulation

Article 42 — paragraph 10 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

10a.     Unannounced inspections, in terms of their nature and extent, may be counted as regular inspections, with offsetting of economic operators’ costs resulting from unannounced inspections, provided that no significant non-conformities are recorded during unannounced inspections. Account must be taken at all times, when ordering unannounced inspections and carrying them out, of the proportionality principle, with due regard, in particular, for the risk potential of each individual product.

Amendment 158

Proposal for a regulation

Article 42 — paragraph 11

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

11.     In the light of technical progress and any information which becomes available in the course of the designation or monitoring of notified bodies set out in Articles 28 to 40, or of the vigilance and market surveillance activities described in Articles 61 to 75, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 amending or supplementing the conformity assessment procedures set out in Annexes VIII to XI.

deleted

Amendment 159

Proposal for a regulation

Article 43 — title and paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Involvement of notified bodies

Involvement of notified bodies in conformity assessment procedures

1.   Where the conformity assessment procedure requires the involvement of a notified body, the manufacturer may apply to a notified body of his choice, provided that the body is notified for the conformity assessment activities, the conformity assessment procedures and the devices concerned. An application may not be lodged in parallel with more than one notified body for the same conformity assessment activity.

1.   Where the conformity assessment procedure requires the involvement of a notified body, the manufacturer of devices other than those listed in Article 43a(1) may apply to a notified body of his choice, provided that the body is notified for the conformity assessment activities, the conformity assessment procedures and the devices concerned. Where a manufacturer applies to a notified body located in a Member State other than the one where it is registered, the manufacturer shall inform its national authority responsible for the notified bodies of the application. An application may not be lodged in parallel with more than one notified body for the same conformity assessment activity.

Amendment 160

Proposal for a regulation

Article 43 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   The notified body concerned shall inform the other notified bodies of any manufacturer who withdraws his application prior to the notified body's decision regarding the conformity assessment.

2.   The notified body concerned shall inform the other notified bodies of any manufacturer who withdraws his application prior to the notified body's decision regarding the conformity assessment. It shall also inform all of the competent national bodies without delay.

Amendment 161

Proposal for a regulation

Chapter V — Section 2 a (new) — title (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Amendments 360 and 371

Proposal for a regulation

Article 43 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 43a

 

Involvement of the special notified bodies in the conformity assessment procedures of high-risk devices

 

1.     Only special notified bodies shall be entitled to conduct conformity assessments for the following devices:

 

(a)

implantable devices;

 

(b)

devices incorporating a substance, as referred to in Article 1(4) and point 6.1. of Annex VII (Rule 13);

 

(c)

Class IIb devices intended to administer and/or remove a medicinal product, as referred to in Article 1(5) and point 5.3. of Annex VII (Rule 11);

 

(d)

devices manufactured utilising tissues or cells of human or animal origin, or their derivatives, which are non-viable or are rendered non-viable; or

 

(e)

all other class III devices.

 

2.     Applicant special notified bodies which consider they fulfil the requirements for special notified bodies referred to in Annex VI, point 3.6, shall submit their application to the EMA.

 

3.     The application shall be accompanied by the fee payable to the EMA to cover the costs relating to the examination of the application.

 

4.     The EMA shall designate the special notified body or bodies in accordance with requirements listed in Annex VI, and adopt its opinion on the authorisation to perform conformity assessments for devices listed in paragraph 1 within 90 days and send it to the Commission.

 

5.     The Commission shall then publish the notification accordingly and the name of the special notified body or bodies.

 

6.     This notification shall become valid the day after its publication in the database of notified bodies developed and managed by the Commission. The published notification shall determine the scope of lawful activity of the special notified body.

 

This notification shall be valid for five years and subject to renewal every five years, following a new application to the EMA.

 

7.     The manufacturer of devices listed in paragraph 1 may apply to a special notified body of his choice, whose name appears in the electronic system of Article 43b (new).

 

8.     An application may not be lodged in parallel with more than one special notified body for the same conformity assessment activity.

 

9.     The special notified body shall notify the Commission of applications for conformity assessments for devices listed in paragraph 1.

 

10.     Article 43 (2), (3) and (4) apply to special notified bodies.

Amendment 372

Proposal for a regulation

Article 43 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 43b

 

Electronic system on special notified bodies

 

1.     The Commission shall establish and regularly update an electronic registration system for:

 

the registration of applications and granted authorisations to perform conformity assessments as special notified bodies under this Section and to collate and process information on the name of the special notified bodies;

 

the exchange of information with national authorities; and

 

the publication of assessment reports.

 

2.     The information collated and processed in the electronic system which relates to the application process for special notified bodies shall be entered into the electronic registration system by the EMA.

 

3.     The information collated and processed in the electronic system and which relates to special notified bodies shall be accessible to the public.

 

4.     The Commission shall regularly update the system.

Amendments 361 and 373

Proposal for a regulation

Article 43 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 43c

 

Network of special notified bodies

 

1.     The Commission and the MDCG shall establish, host, coordinate and manage the network of special notified bodies.

 

2.     The network shall have the following objectives:

 

(a)

to help realise the potential of European cooperation regarding highly specialised medical technologies in the area of medical devices;

 

(b)

to contribute to the pooling of knowledge regarding medical devices;

 

(c)

to encourage the development of conformity assessment benchmarks and to help develop and spread best practice within and outside the network;

 

(d)

to help identify the experts in innovative fields;

 

(e)

to develop and update rules on conflicts of interest;

 

(f)

to find common answers to similar challenges concerning the conduct of conformity assessment procedures in innovative technologies; and

 

(g)

to identify and notify significant discrepancies in the conformity assessments carried out by different Special notified bodies on substantially similar devices and to communicate these to the MDCG.

 

3.     Meetings of the network shall be convened whenever requested by at least two of its members or by the EMA. It shall meet at least twice a year.

Amendment 165

Proposal for a regulation

Article 44

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Article 44

deleted

Mechanism for scrutiny of certain conformity assessments

 

1.     Notified bodies shall notify the Commission of applications for conformity assessments for devices classified as class III, with the exception of applications to supplement or renew existing certificates. The notification shall be accompanied by the draft instructions for use referred to in Section 19.3 of Annex I and the draft summary of safety and clinical performance referred to in Article 26. In its notification the notified body shall indicate the estimated date by which the conformity assessment is to be completed. The Commission shall immediately transmit the notification and the accompanying documents to the MDCG.

 

2.     Within 28 days of receipt of the information referred to in paragraph 1, the MDCG may request the notified body to submit a summary of the preliminary conformity assessment prior to issuing a certificate. Upon suggestion by any of its members or by the Commission, the MDCG shall decide on making such request in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 78(4). In its request the MDCG shall indicate the scientifically valid health reason for having selected the specific file for submission of a summary of the preliminary conformity assessment. When selecting a specific file for submission, the principle of equal treatment shall be duly taken into account.

 

Within 5 days after receipt of the request by the MDCG, the notified body shall inform the manufacturer thereof.

 

3.     The MDCG may submit comments on the summary of the preliminary conformity assessment at the latest 60 days after submission of this summary. Within that period and at the latest 30 days after submission, the MDCG may request the submission of additional information that for scientifically valid grounds are necessary for the analysis of the notified body's preliminary conformity assessment. This may include a request for samples or an on-site visit to the manufacturer's premises. Until submission of the additional information requested, the period for comments referred to in the first sentence of this subparagraph shall be suspended. Subsequent requests for additional information from the MDCG shall not suspend the period for the submission of comments.

 

4.     The notified body shall give due consideration to any comments received in accordance with paragraph 3. It shall convey to the Commission an explanation of how they have been taken into consideration, including any due justification for not following the comments received, and its final decision regarding the conformity assessment in question. The Commission shall immediately transmit this information to the MDCG.

 

5.     Where deemed necessary for the protection of patient safety and public health, the Commission, may determine, by means of implementing acts, specific categories or groups of devices, other than devices of class III, to which paragraphs 1 to 4 shall apply during a predefined period of time. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

 

Measures pursuant to this paragraph may be justified only by one or more of the following criteria:

 

(a)

the novelty of the device or of the technology on which it is based and the significant clinical or public health impact thereof;

 

(b)

an adverse change in the risk-benefit profile of a specific category or group of devices due to scientifically valid health concerns in respect of components or source material or in respect of the impact on health in case of failure;

 

(c)

an increased rate of serious incidents reported in accordance with Article 61 in respect of a specific category or group of devices;

 

(d)

significant discrepancies in the conformity assessments carried out by different notified bodies on substantially similar devices;

 

(e)

public health concerns regarding a specific category or group of devices or the technology on which they are based.

 

6.     The Commission shall make a summary of the comments submitted in accordance with paragraph 3 and the outcome of the conformity assessment procedure accessible to the public. It shall not disclose any personal data or information of commercially confidential nature.

 

7.     The Commission shall set up the technical infrastructure for the data-exchange by an electronic means between notified bodies and MDCG for the purposes of this Article.

 

8.     The Commission, by means of implementing acts, may adopt the modalities and the procedural aspects concerning the submission and analysis of the summary of the preliminary conformity assessment in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

 

Amendment 374/REV

Proposal for a regulation

Article 44 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 44a

 

Assessment procedure in specific cases

 

1.     Special notified bodies shall notify the Commission of applications for conformity assessments for implantable Class III devices, Class IIb devices intended to administer and/or remove a medicinal product, as referred to in Article 1(5) and point 5.3. of Annex VII (Rule 11), and devices manufactured utilising tissues or cells of human or animal origin, or their derivatives, which are non-viable or are rendered non-viable with the exception of applications to renew or supplement existing certificates and devices for which specifications referred to in Articles 6 and 7 have been published for the clinical evaluation and the post-market clinical follow-up. The notification shall be accompanied by the draft instructions for use referred to in Section 19.3 of Annex I and the draft summary of safety and clinical performance referred to in Article 26. In its notification the special notified body shall indicate the estimated date by which the conformity assessment is to be completed. The Commission shall immediately transmit the notification and the accompanying documents to the Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) for an opinion. In making its opinion, the MDCG may seek a clinical assessment from the relevant experts of the Assessment Committee for Medical Devices (ACMD), referred to in Article 78.

 

2.     Within 20 days of receipt of the information referred to in paragraph 1, the MDCG may decide to request the special notified body to submit the following documents prior to issuing a certificate:

 

the clinical evaluation report as referred to in Annex XIII, including the clinical investigations report as referred to in Annex XIV,

 

the post market clinical follow-up plan referred to in Annex XIII, and

 

any information regarding the marketing or not of the device in third countries and, where available, the results of evaluation conducted by competent authorities in those countries.

 

The members of the MDCG shall decide on making such a request only on the basis of the following criteria:

 

(a)

the novelty of the device with possible major clinical or health impact;

 

(b)

an adverse change in the risk-benefit profile of a specific category or group of devices due to scientifically valid health concerns in respect of components or source material or in respect of the impact on health in the case of failure;

 

(c)

an increased rate of serious incidents reported in accordance with Article 61 in respect of a specific category or group of devices.

 

In the light of technical progress and any information which becomes available, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 amending or supplementing these criteria.

 

In its request the MDCG shall indicate the scientifically valid health reason for having selected the specific file.

 

In the absence of request from the MDCG within 20 days of receipt of the information referred to in paragraph 1, the special notified body may continue with the conformity assessment procedure.

 

3.     The MDCG, following the consultation of the ACMD shall issue a MDCG opinion on the documents referred to in paragraph 2 at the latest 60 days after its submission. Within that period and at the latest 30 days after submission, the ACMD through the MDCG may request the submission of additional information that for scientifically valid grounds are necessary for the analysis of the documents referred to in paragraph 2. This may include a request for samples or an on-site visit to the manufacturer's premises. Until submission of the additional information requested, the period for comments referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be suspended. Subsequent requests for additional information from the MDCG shall not suspend the period for the submission of comments.

 

4.     In its opinion the MDCG shall take into account the clinical assessment of the ACMD. The MDCG may recommend modifications of the documents referred to in paragraph 2.

 

5.     The MDCG shall immediately inform the Commission, the special notified body and the manufacturer of its opinion.

 

6.     Within 15 days after receipt of the opinion referred to in paragraph 5, the special notified body shall indicate whether or not it agrees with the opinion of the MDCG. In the latter case, it may give written notice to the MDCG. that it wishes to request a re-examination of the opinion. In that case, the special notified body shall forward to the MDCG the detailed grounds for the request within 30 days after receipt of the opinion. The MDCG shall immediately transmit this information to the ACMD and the Commission.

 

Within 30 days following receipt of the grounds for the request, the MCDG shall re-examine its opinion, after consultation of the ACMD where necessary. The reasons for the conclusion reached shall be annexed to the final opinion.

 

7.     Immediately after its adoption, the MCDG shall send its final opinion to the Commission, the special notified body and the manufacturer.

 

8.     In the case of a favourable opinion MDCG opinion, the special notified body may proceed with the certification.

 

However if the favourable MDCG opinion is dependent on the application of specific measures (e.g. adaptation of the post-market clinical follow-up plan, certification with a time limit), the special notified body shall issue the certificate of conformity only on the conditions that those measures are fully implemented.

 

Following the adoption of a favourable opinion, the Commission shall always explore the possibility of adopting, common technical standards for the device of group of devices concerned and adopt them where possible (in accordance with Article 7).

 

In the case of an unfavourable MDCG opinion, the special notified body shall not yet deliver the certificate of conformity. Nevertheless, the special notified body may submit new information in response to the explanation included in the MDCG assessment. If the new information is substantially different to that which has been previously submitted the MDCG shall reassess the application.

 

At the request of the manufacturer, the Commission shall organise a hearing allowing discussion on the scientific grounds for the unfavourable scientific assessment and any action that the manufacturer may take or data that may be submitted to address the MDCG concerns.

 

9.     Where deemed necessary for the protection of patient safety and public health, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 to determine, specific categories or groups of devices, other than devices referred to in paragraph 1, to which paragraphs 1 to 8 shall apply during a predefined period of time.

 

Measures pursuant to this paragraph may be justified only by one or more of the criteria referred to in paragraph 2.

 

10.     The Commission shall make a summary of the opinion referred to in paragraph 6 and 7 accessible to the public. It shall not disclose any personal data or information of commercially confidential nature.

 

11.     The Commission shall set up the technical infrastructure for the data-exchange by electronic means between the MDCG, the special notified bodies and the ACMD, and between the ACMD and itself for the purposes of this Article.

 

12.     The Commission, by means of implementing acts, may adopt the modalities and the procedural aspects concerning the submission and analysis of the documentation provided in accordance with this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 88(3).

 

13.     The company concerned shall not be charged for the additional cost due to this assessment.

Amendment 369

Proposal for a regulation

Article 44 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 44b

 

Five years after the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall publish a report on the experience acquired as a result of the operation of the procedure referred to in Article 44a. The report shall assess in particular how many products were subject to an additional assessment, what factors triggered the assessment and what was the final decision on the products. It shall also analyse the effects of the full impact of the new rules on special notified bodies vis-a-vis the additional assessments.

Amendment 167

Proposal for a regulation

Article 45 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The certificates issued by the notified bodies in accordance with Annexes VIII, IX and X shall be in an official Union language determined by the Member State in which the notified body is established or otherwise in an official Union language acceptable to the notified body. The minimum content of the certificates is set out in Annex XII.

1.    Before issuing a certificate, the notified conformity assessment body shall take into account any findings set out in the clinical investigation report referred to in Article 59(4). The certificates issued by the notified bodies in accordance with Annexes VIII, IX and X shall be in an official Union language determined by the Member State in which the notified body is established or otherwise in an official Union language acceptable to the notified body. The minimum content of the certificates is set out in Annex XII.

Amendment 168

Proposal for a regulation

Article 45 — paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3.   Where a notified body finds that requirements of this Regulation are no longer met by the manufacturer, it shall, taking account of the principle of proportionality, suspend or withdraw the certificate issued or impose any restrictions on it unless compliance with such requirements is ensured by appropriate corrective action taken by the manufacturer within an appropriate deadline set by the notified body. The notified body shall give the reasons for its decision.

3.   Where a notified body finds that requirements of this Regulation are no longer met by the manufacturer, it shall, taking account of the principle of proportionality, suspend or withdraw the certificate issued or impose any restrictions on it unless compliance with such requirements is ensured by appropriate corrective action taken by the manufacturer within an appropriate deadline set by the notified body. The notified body shall give the reasons for its decision and shall notify them to the competent authorities of the Member States in which the medical device is manufactured and placed on the market, the Commission and the MDCG.

Amendment 169

Proposal for a regulation

Article 46 — paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

2a.     It shall notify the competent authorities of the Member States affected by the manufacture and placing on the market of the relevant medical device, the Commission and the MDCG.

Amendment 170

Proposal for a regulation

Article 47 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   By way of derogation from Article 42, any competent authority may authorise, on duly justified request, the placing on the market or putting into service within the territory of the Member State concerned, of a specific device for which the procedures referred to in Article 42 have not been carried out and use of which is in the interest of public health or patient safety.

1.   By way of derogation from Article 42, any competent authority may authorise, on duly justified request, the placing on the market or putting into service within the territory of the Member State concerned, of a specific device for which the procedures referred to in Article 42 have not been carried out and use of which is in the interest of public health or patient safety , provided that the MDCG has authorised it . This derogation shall be possible only if the manufacturer submits the requisite clinical data to the competent authority within the prescribed period.

Amendment 171

Proposal for a regulation

Article 47 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   The Member State shall inform the Commission and the other Member States of any decision to authorise the placing on the market or putting into service of a device in accordance with paragraph 1 where such authorisation is granted for use other than for a single patient.

2.   The Member State shall inform the Commission , the notified body responsible for assessing the relevant medical device, the MDCG and the other Member States of any decision to authorise the placing on the market or putting into service of a device in accordance with paragraph 1 where such authorisation is granted for use other than for a single patient.

Amendment 262

Proposal for a regulation

Chapter VI — title

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Clinical evaluation and clinical investigations

Amendment 172

Proposal for a regulation

Article 49 — paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3.   Where demonstration of conformity with general safety and performance requirements based on clinical data is not deemed appropriate, adequate justification for any such exception shall be given based on the results of the manufacturer’s risk management and on consideration of the specifics of the interaction between the device and the human body, the clinical performances intended and the claims of the manufacturer. The adequacy of demonstration of conformity with the general safety and performance requirements based on the results of non-clinical testing methods alone, including performance evaluation, bench testing and pre-clinical evaluation, has to be duly substantiated in the technical documentation referred to in Annex II.

3.    Except for class III devices, where demonstration of conformity with general safety and performance requirements based on clinical data is not deemed appropriate, adequate justification for any such exception shall be given based on the results of the manufacturer’s risk management and on consideration of the specifics of the interaction between the device and the human body, the clinical performances intended and the claims of the manufacturer. The adequacy of demonstration of conformity with the general safety and performance requirements based on the results of non-clinical testing methods alone, including performance evaluation, bench testing and pre-clinical evaluation, has to be duly substantiated in the technical documentation referred to in Annex II.

 

Exemption from demonstration of conformity with general safety and performance requirements based on clinical data under the first subparagraph shall be subject to prior approval by the competent authority.

Amendment 173

Proposal for a regulation

Article 49 — paragraph 5 — subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

For devices classified as class III and implantable devices, the summary of safety and clinical performance referred to in Article 26(1) shall be updated at least annually with clinical evaluation reports.

Amendment 174

Proposal for a regulation

Article 50 — paragraph 1 — point a

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(a)

to verify that, under normal conditions of use, devices are designed, manufactured and packaged in such a way that they are suitable for one or more of the specific purposes of a medical device referred to in number (1) of Article 2(1), and achieve the performances intended as specified by the manufacturer;

(a)

to verify that, under normal conditions of use, devices are designed, manufactured and packaged in such a way that they are suitable for one or more of the specific purposes of a medical device referred to in number (1) of Article 2(1), and achieve the performances intended as specified by the manufacturer or sponsor ;

Amendment 175

Proposal for a regulation

Article 50 — paragraph 1 — point b

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b)

to verify that devices achieve the intended benefits to the patient as specified by the manufacturer;

(b)

to verify the clinical safety and efficacy of the device, including the intended benefits to the patient, when used for the intended purpose, in the target population and in accordance with the instructions of use ;

Amendment 177

Proposal for a regulation

Article 51 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   The sponsor of a clinical investigation shall submit an application to the Member State(s) in which the investigation is to be conducted accompanied by the documentation referred to in Chapter II of Annex XIV. Within six days after receipt of the application, the Member State concerned shall notify the sponsor whether the clinical investigation falls within the scope of this Regulation and whether the application is complete.

2.   The sponsor of a clinical investigation shall submit an application to the Member State(s) in which the investigation is to be conducted accompanied by the documentation referred to in Chapter II of Annex XIV. Within 14 days after receipt of the application, the Member State concerned shall notify the sponsor whether the clinical performance study falls within the scope of this Regulation and whether the application is complete.

 

In case of more than one Member State concerned, where a Member State disagrees with the coordinating Member State on whether the clinical investigation should be approved, on grounds other than intrinsically national, local or ethical concerns, the Member States concerned shall make an attempt to agree on a conclusion. If no conclusion is found, the Commission shall take a decision after having consulted the Member States concerned, and if appropriate, having taken advice from the MDCG. In case where the concerned Member States object the clinical investigation for intrinsically national, local or ethical concerns the clinical investigation should not take place in the Member States concerned.

Where the Member State has not notified the sponsor within the time period referred to in the first subparagraph, the clinical investigation shall be considered as falling within the scope of this Regulation and the application shall be considered complete.

Where the Member State has not notified the sponsor within the time period referred to in the first subparagraph, the clinical investigation shall be considered as falling within the scope of this Regulation and the application shall be considered complete.

Amendment 178

Proposal for a regulation

Article 51 — paragraph 3 — subparagraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Where the Member State has not notified the sponsor according to paragraph 2 within three days following receipt of the comments or of the completed application, the clinical investigation shall be considered as falling within the scope of this Regulation and the application shall be considered complete.

Where the Member State has not notified the sponsor according to paragraph 2 within six days following receipt of the comments or of the completed application, the clinical investigation shall be considered as falling within the scope of this Regulation and the application shall be considered complete.

Amendment 179

Proposal for a regulation

Article 51 — paragraph 5 — point c

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(c)

after the expiry of 35 days after the validation date referred to in paragraph 4, unless the Member State concerned has notified the sponsor within that period of its refusal based on considerations of public health, patient safety or public policy.

(c)

after the expiry of 60 days after the validation date referred to in paragraph 4, unless the Member State concerned has notified the sponsor within that period of its refusal based on considerations of public health, patient safety or public policy.

Amendment 180

Proposal for a regulation

Article 51 — paragraph 6

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

6.   Member States shall ensure that the persons assessing the application do not have conflicts of interest and that they are independent of the sponsor, the institution of the investigation site(s) and the investigators involved, as well as free of any other undue influence.

6.   Member States shall ensure that the persons assessing the application do not have conflicts of interest and that they are independent of the sponsor, the institution of the investigation site(s) and the investigators involved, as well as free of any other undue influence.

Member States shall ensure that the assessment is done jointly by a reasonable number of persons who collectively have the necessary qualifications and experience. In the assessment, the view of at least one person whose primary area of interest is non-scientific shall be taken into account. The view of at least one patient shall be taken into account.

Member States shall ensure that the assessment is done jointly by a reasonable number of persons who collectively have the necessary qualifications and experience. In the assessment, the view of at least one person whose primary area of interest is non-scientific shall be taken into account. The view of patients shall be taken into account.

 

The list of the reviewers should be made available to the sponsor

Amendment 181

Proposal for a regulation

Article 51 — paragraphs 6 a to 6 e (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

6a.     Every step in the clinical investigation, from first consideration of the need and justification for the study to the publication of the results, shall be carried out in accordance with recognised ethical principles, such as those laid down in the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects adopted by the 18th World Medical Assembly in Helsinki in 1964 and last amended by the 59th World Medical Association General Assembly in Seoul in 2008.

 

6b.     Authorisation by the concerned Member State for conducting a clinical investigation under this Article shall be granted only after examination and approval by an independent ethics committee in accordance with the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki.

 

6c.     The examination of the Ethics Committee shall cover in particular the medical justification for the clinical investigation, the consent of the test subjects participating in the clinical investigation following the provision of full information about the clinical investigation and the suitability of the investigators and investigation facilities.

 

The ethics committee shall act in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of the country or countries in which the investigation is to be conducted and must abide by all relevant international norms and standards. It shall also work with such efficiency as to enable the Member State concerned to comply with the procedural deadlines set out in this Chapter.

 

The ethics committee shall be made up of an appropriate number of members, who together are in possession of the relevant qualifications and experience in order to be able to assess the scientific, medical and ethical aspects of the clinical investigation under scrutiny.

 

The members of the Ethics Committee assessing the application for a clinical investigation shall be independent from the sponsor, the institution of the investigation site, and the investigators involved, as well as free of any other undue influence. Names, qualifications, and declaration of interest of the assessors of the application shall be made publicly available.

 

6d.     Member States shall take the necessary measures to establish Ethics Committees in the field of clinical investigations where such committees do not exist, and to facilitate their work.

 

6e.     The Commission shall facilitate cooperation of ethics committees and the sharing of best practices on ethical issues including the procedures and principles of ethical assessment.

 

The Commission shall develop guidelines on patient involvement in ethics committees, drawing upon existing good practices.

Amendment 182

Proposal for a regulation

Article 52 — paragraph 1 — point g a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(ga)

the methodology to be used, the number of subjects involved and the intended result of the study.

Amendment 183

Proposal for a regulation

Article 52 — paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

2a.     Upon completion of the clinical investigation, the sponsor shall enter in the electronic system referred to in Article 53a summary of its results drawn up in a way that is easy for a lay person to understand.

Amendment 184

Proposal for a regulation

Article 52 — paragraph 3 — point b

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b)

protection of commercially sensitive information;

(b)

protection of commercially sensitive information; data on adverse events and safety data shall not be considered commercially sensitive information;

Amendment 185

Proposal for a regulation

Article 53 — paragraphs 1, 2 and 2a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The Commission shall, in collaboration with the Member States, set up and manage an electronic system to create the single identification numbers for on clinical investigations referred to in Article 51(1) and to collate and process the following information:

1.   The Commission shall, in collaboration with the Member States, set up and manage an electronic system to create the single identification numbers for on clinical investigations referred to in Article 51(1) and to collate and process the following information:

(a)

the registration of on clinical investigations in accordance with Article 52;

(a)

the registration of on clinical investigations in accordance with Article 52;

(b)

the exchange of information between the Member States and between them and the Commission in accordance with Article 56;

(b)

the exchange of information between the Member States and between them and the Commission in accordance with Article 56;

(c)

the information related to on clinical investigations conducted in more than one Member State in case of a single application in accordance with Article 58;

(c)

the information related to on clinical investigations conducted in more than one Member State in case of a single application in accordance with Article 58;

(d)

the reports on serious adverse events and device deficiencies referred to in Article 59(2) in case of single application in accordance with Article 58.

(d)

the reports on serious adverse events and device deficiencies referred to in Article 59(2) in case of single application in accordance with Article 58.

 

(da)

the clinical investigation report and summary submitted by the sponsor in accordance with Article 57(3)

2.   When setting up the electronic system referred in paragraph 1, the Commission shall ensure that it is interoperable with the EU database for clinical trials on medicinal products for human use set up in accordance with Article […] of Regulation (EU) No [Ref. of future Regulation on clinical trials]. With the exception of the information referred to in Article 52, the information collated and processed in the electronic system shall be accessible only to the Member States and to the Commission.

2.   When setting up the electronic system referred in paragraph 1, the Commission shall ensure that it is interoperable with the EU database for clinical trials on medicinal products for human use set up in accordance with Article […] of Regulation (EU) No [Ref. of future Regulation on clinical trials]. With the exception of the information referred to in Article 52 and in points (d) and (da) of Article 53 , the information collated and processed in the electronic system shall be accessible only to the Member States and to the Commission. The Commission shall also ensure that healthcare professionals have access to the electronic system .

 

The information referred to in points (d) and (da) of Article 53 shall be accessible to the public in accordance with Article 52(3) and (4).

 

2a.     Upon a reasoned request, all information on a specific medical device available in the electronic system shall be made accessible to the party requesting it, save where the confidentiality of all or parts of the information is justified in accordance with Article 52(3).

Amendment 186

Proposal for a regulation

Article 55 — paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

2a.     Assessment by the Member State of the request by the sponsor for a substantial modification to a clinical investigation shall be in accordance with Article 51(6).

Amendment 187

Proposal for a regulation

Article 56 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   Where a Member State has refused, suspended or terminated a clinical investigation, or has called for a substantial modification or temporary halt of a clinical investigation, or has been notified by the sponsor of the early termination of a clinical investigation on safety grounds, that Member State shall communicate its decision and the grounds therefor to all Member States and the Commission by means of the electronic system referred to in Article 53.

1.   Where a Member State has refused, suspended or terminated a clinical investigation, or has called for a substantial modification or temporary halt of a clinical investigation, or has been notified by the sponsor of the early termination of a clinical investigation on safety or efficacy grounds, that Member State shall communicate such facts and its decision and the grounds for that decision to all Member States and the Commission by means of the electronic system referred to in Article 53.

Amendment 188

Proposal for a regulation

Article 57 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   If the sponsor has temporarily halted a clinical investigation on safety grounds, he shall inform the Member States concerned within 15 days of the temporary halt.

1.   If the sponsor has temporarily halted a clinical investigation on safety or efficacy grounds, he shall inform the Member States concerned within 15 days of the temporary halt.

Amendment 189

Proposal for a regulation

Article 57 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   The sponsor shall notify each Member State concerned of the end of a clinical investigation in relation to that Member State, providing a justification in the event of early termination. That notification shall be made within 15 days from the end of the clinical investigation in relation to that Member State.

2.   The sponsor shall notify each Member State concerned of the end of a clinical investigation in relation to that Member State, providing a justification in the event of early termination , so that all Member States can inform sponsors conducting similar clinical investigations at the same time within the Union of the results of that clinical investigation. That notification shall be made within 15 days from the end of the clinical investigation in relation to that Member State.

If the investigation is conducted in more than one Member State the sponsor shall notify all Member States concerned of the overall end of the clinical investigation. That notification shall be made within 15 days from the overall end of the clinical investigation.

If the investigation is conducted in more than one Member State the sponsor shall notify all Member States concerned of the early termination in one Member State and of the overall end of the clinical investigation. Information on the reasons for the early termination of the clinical investigation shall also be provided to all Member States, so that all Member States can inform sponsors conducting similar clinical investigations at the same time within the Union of the results of that clinical investigation. That notification shall be made within 15 days from the end of the clinical investigation in one or more Member States .

Amendment 190

Proposal for a regulation

Article 57 — paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3.    Within one year from the end of the clinical investigation, the sponsor shall submit to the Member States concerned a summary of the results of the clinical investigation in form of a clinical investigation report referred to in Section 2.7 of Chapter I of Annex XIV. Where, for scientific reasons, it is not possible to submit the clinical investigation report within one year, it shall be submitted as soon as it is available. In this case, the clinical investigation plan referred to in Section 3 of Chapter II of Annex XIV shall specify when the results of the clinical investigation are going to be submitted, together with an explanation.

3.    Irrespective of the outcome of the clinical investigation, within one year from the end of the clinical performance study or from its early termination , the sponsor shall submit to the Member States concerned the results of the clinical investigation in form of a clinical investigation report referred to in Section 2.7 of Chapter I of Annex XIV . It shall be accompanied by a summary presented in terms that are easily understandable to a layperson. Both the report and the summary shall be submitted by the sponsor by means of the electronic system referred to in Article 53. Where, for justified scientific reasons, it is not possible to submit the clinical investigation report within one year, it shall be submitted as soon as it is available. In this case, the clinical investigation plan referred to in Section 3 of Chapter II of Annex XIV shall specify when the results of the clinical investigation are going to be submitted, together with a justification.

 

3a.     The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 in order to define the content and structure of the layperson's summary.

 

The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 in order to establish rules for the communication of the clinical investigation report.

 

For cases where the sponsor decides to share raw data on a voluntary basis, the Commission shall produce guidelines for the formatting and sharing of the data.

Amendment 191

Proposal for a regulation

Article 58 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   By means of the electronic system referred to in Article 53, the sponsor of a clinical investigation to be conducted in more than one Member State may submit, for the purpose of Article 51, a single application that, upon receipt, is transmitted electronically to the Member States concerned.

1.   By means of the electronic system referred to in Article 53, the sponsor of a clinical investigation may submit, for the purpose of Article 51, the application that, upon receipt, is transmitted electronically to the Member States concerned.

Amendment 192

Proposal for a regulation

Article 58 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.    In the single application, the sponsor shall propose one of the Member States concerned as coordinating Member State. If that Member State does not wish to be the coordinating Member State, it shall agree, within six days of submission of the single application, with another Member State concerned that the latter shall be the coordinating Member State. If no other Member State accepts to be the coordinating Member State, the Member State proposed by the sponsor shall be the coordinating Member State. If another Member State than the one proposed by the sponsor becomes coordinating Member State , the deadline referred to in Article 51(2) shall start on the day following the acceptance .

2.   Concerned Member States shall agree, within six days of submission of the single application, which Member State shall be the coordinating Member State. Member States and the Commission shall agree, in the framework of the attributions of the MDCG, on clear rules for designating the coordinating Member State.

Amendment 193

Proposal for a regulation

Article 58 — paragraph 3 — subparagraph 2 — point b

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b)

establish the results of the coordinated assessment in a report to be taken into account by the other Member States concerned when deciding on the sponsor's application in accordance with Article 51(5).

(b)

establish the results of the coordinated assessment in a report to be approved by the other Member States concerned when deciding on the sponsor's application in accordance with Article 51(5).

Amendment 194

Proposal for a regulation

Article 58 — paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5.     For the purpose of Article 57(3), the sponsor shall submit the clinical performance study report to the Member States concerned by means of the electronic system referred to in Article 53.

deleted

Amendment 195

Proposal for a regulation

Article 59 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Information regarding incidents that are caused by user errors shall also be collected, as they are a major source of incidents with medical devices. This information shall contribute to improve the safety and knowledge of the device.

Amendment 196

Proposal for a regulation

Article 59 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 1 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Member States shall put in place non-electronic formats of reporting to ensure that patients who do not have online access are able to report.

Amendment 197

Proposal for a regulation

Article 59 — paragraph 4 — subparagraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

In the case of a clinical investigation for which the sponsor has used the single application referred to in Article 58, the sponsor shall report any event as referred to in paragraph 2 by means of the electronic system referred to in Article 53. Upon receipt, this report shall be transmitted electronically to all Member States concerned.

In the case of a clinical investigation for which the sponsor has used the single application referred to in Article 58, the sponsor shall report any event as referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 by means of the electronic system referred to in Article 53. Upon receipt, this report shall be transmitted electronically to all Member States concerned.

Amendment 263

Proposal for a regulation

Chapter VII — title

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Vigilance and market surveillance

Amendment 198

Proposal for a regulation

Article 61

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   Manufacturers of devices other than custom-made or investigational devices, shall report through the electronic system referred to in Article 62 the following:

1.   Manufacturers of devices other than custom-made or investigational devices, shall report through the electronic system referred to in Article 62 the following:

(a)

any serious incident in respect of devices made available on the Union market;

(a)

any incident, including date and place of incident, with an indication of whether it is serious in accordance with the definition under Article 2, in respect of devices made available on the Union market; where available, the manufacturer shall include information on the patient or user and healthcare professional involved in the incident;

(b)

any field safety corrective action in respect of devices made available on the Union market, including any field safety corrective action undertaken in a third country in relation to a device which is also legally made available on the Union market if the reason for the field safety corrective action is not limited to the device made available in the third country.

(b)

any field safety corrective action in respect of devices made available on the Union market, including any field safety corrective action undertaken in a third country in relation to a device which is also legally made available on the Union market if the reason for the field safety corrective action is not limited to the device made available in the third country.

Manufacturers shall make the report referred to in the first subparagraph without delay, and no later than 15 days after they have become aware of the event and the causal relationship with their device or that such causal relationship is reasonably possible. The time period for reporting shall take account of the severity of the incident. Where necessary to ensure timely reporting, the manufacturer may submit an initial incomplete report followed up by a complete report.

Manufacturers shall make the report referred to in the first subparagraph without delay, and no later than 15 days after they have become aware of the event and the causal relationship with their device or that such causal relationship is reasonably possible. The time period for reporting shall take account of the severity of the incident. Where necessary to ensure timely reporting, the manufacturer may submit an initial incomplete report followed up by a complete report.

2.   For similar serious incidents occurring with the same device or device type and for which the root cause has been identified or the field safety corrective action implemented, manufacturers may provide periodic summary reports instead of individual incident reports, on condition that the competent authorities referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of Article 62(5) have agreed with the manufacturer on the format, content and frequency of the periodic summary reporting.

2.   For similar incidents occurring with the same device or device type and for which the root cause has been identified or the field safety corrective action implemented, manufacturers may provide periodic summary reports instead of individual incident reports, on condition that the competent authorities referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of Article 62(5) have agreed with the manufacturer on the format, content and frequency of the periodic summary reporting.

3.   The Member States shall take all appropriate measures to encourage healthcare professionals, users and patients to report to their competent authorities suspected serious incidents referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1.

3.   The Member States shall take all appropriate measures, including targeted information campaigns, to encourage and enable healthcare professionals, including doctors and pharmacists, users and patients to report to their competent authorities suspected incidents referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1. They shall inform the Commission of those measures.

They shall record such reports centrally at national level. Where a competent authority of a Member State obtains such reports, it shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the manufacturer of the device concerned is informed of the incident . The manufacturer shall ensure the appropriate follow-up.

The competent authorities of the Member States shall record such reports centrally at national level. Where a competent authority of a Member State obtains such reports, it shall inform the manufacturer of the device concerned without delay . The manufacturer shall ensure the appropriate follow-up.

 

The competent authority of a Member State shall notify the reports referred to in the first subparagraph to the electronic system referred to in Article 62 without delay, unless the same incident has already been reported by the manufacturer.

The Member States shall coordinate between them the development of standard web-based structured forms for reporting of serious incidents by healthcare professionals, users and patients.

The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, shall develop standard forms for electronic and non-electronic reporting of incidents by healthcare professionals, users and patients.

4.   Manufacturers of custom-made devices shall report any serious incidents and field safety corrective actions referred to in paragraph 1 to the competent authority of the Member State in which the device in question has been made available.

4.   Manufacturers of custom-made devices shall immediately report any incidents and field safety corrective actions referred to in paragraph 1 to the competent authority of the Member State in which the device in question has been made available.

Amendment 199

Proposal for a regulation

Article 62

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The Commission shall, in collaboration with the Member States, set up and manage an electronic system to collate and process the following information:

1.   The Commission shall, in collaboration with the Member States, set up and manage an electronic system to collate and process the following information:

(a)

the reports by manufacturers on serious incidents and field safety corrective actions referred to in Article 61(1);

(a)

the reports by manufacturers on incidents and field safety corrective actions referred to in Article 61(1);

(b)

the periodic summary reports by manufacturers referred to in Article 61(2);

(b)

the periodic summary reports by manufacturers referred to in Article 61(2);

(c)

the reports by competent authorities on serious incidents referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 63(1)

(c)

the reports by competent authorities on incidents referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 63(1)

(d)

the reports by manufacturers on trends referred to in Article 64;

(d)

the reports by manufacturers on trends referred to in Article 64;

 

(da)

the periodic safety update reports drawn up by manufacturers, as referred to in Article 63a;

(e)

the field safety notices by manufacturers referred to in Article 63(5);

(e)

the field safety notices by manufacturers referred to in Article 63(5);

(f)

the information to be exchanged between the competent authorities of the Member States and between them and the Commission in accordance with Article 63(4) and (7).

(f)

the information to be exchanged between the competent authorities of the Member States and between them and the Commission in accordance with Article 63(4) and (7).

2.   The information collated and processed by the electronic system shall be accessible to the competent authorities of the Member States, to the Commission and to the notified bodies.

2.   The information collated and processed by the electronic system shall be accessible to the competent authorities of the Member States, to the Commission, to the notified bodies, to healthcare professionals and also to manufacturers where the information pertains to their own product .

3.   The Commission shall ensure that healthcare professionals and the public have appropriate levels of access to the electronic system.

3.   The Commission shall ensure that the public has an appropriate level of access to the electronic system. In case where information is requested on a specific medical device, that information shall be made available without delay and within 15 days at the latest.

4.   On the basis of arrangements between the Commission and competent authorities of third countries or international organisations, the Commission may grant those competent authorities or international organisations access to the database at the appropriate level. Those arrangements shall be based on reciprocity and make provision for confidentiality and data protection equivalent to those applicable in the Union.

4.   On the basis of arrangements between the Commission and competent authorities of third countries or international organisations, the Commission may grant those competent authorities or international organisations access to the database at the appropriate level. Those arrangements shall be based on reciprocity and make provision for confidentiality and data protection equivalent to those applicable in the Union.

5.   The reports on serious incidents and field safety corrective actions referred to in points (a) and (b) of Article 61(1), the periodic summary reports referred to in Article 61(2), the reports on serious incidents referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 63(1) and the trend reports referred to in Article 64 shall be automatically transmitted upon receipt via the electronic system to the competent authorities of the following Member States:

5.   The reports on serious incidents and field safety corrective actions referred to in points (a) and (b) of Article 61(1), the periodic summary reports referred to in Article 61(2), the reports on incidents referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 63(1) and the trend reports referred to in Article 64 shall be automatically transmitted upon receipt via the electronic system to the competent authorities of the following Member States:

(a)

the Member State where the incident occurred;

(a)

the Member State where the incident occurred;

(b)

the Member State where the field safety corrective action is being or is to be undertaken;

(b)

the Member State where the field safety corrective action is being or is to be undertaken;

(c)

the Member State where the manufacturer has his registered place of business;

(c)

the Member State where the manufacturer has his registered place of business;

(d)

where applicable, the Member State where the notified body, that issued a certificate in accordance with Article 45 for the device in question, is established.

(d)

where applicable, the Member State where the notified body, that issued a certificate in accordance with Article 45 for the device in question, is established.

 

5a.     The reports and information referred to in Article 62(5), shall also be automatically transmitted for the device in question via the electronic system to the notified body that issued the certificate in accordance with Article 45.

Amendment 200

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Member States shall take the necessary steps to ensure that any information regarding a serious incident that has occurred within their territory or a field safety corrective action that has been or is to be undertaken within their territory, and that is brought to their knowledge in accordance with Article 61 is, at national level, evaluated centrally by their competent authority, if possible together with the manufacturer.

Member States shall take the necessary steps to ensure that any information regarding an incident that has occurred within their territory or a field safety corrective action that has been or is to be undertaken within their territory, and that is brought to their knowledge in accordance with Article 61 is, at national level, evaluated centrally by their competent authority, if possible together with the manufacturer. The competent authority shall take into account the views of all relevant stakeholders, including patient and healthcare professionals' organisations.

Amendment 201

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

If in the case of reports received in accordance with Article 61(3) the competent authority ascertains that the reports relate to a serious incident it shall notify without delay those reports to the electronic system referred to in Article 62, unless the same incident has already been reported by the manufacturer.

deleted

Amendment 202

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   The national competent authorities shall carry out a risk assessment with regard to reported serious incidents or field safety corrective actions, taking into account criteria such as causality, detectability and probability of recurrence of the problem, frequency of use of the device, probability of occurrence of harm and severity of harm, clinical benefit of the device, intended and potential users, and population affected. They shall also evaluate the adequacy of the field safety corrective action envisaged or undertaken by the manufacturer and the need for and kind of any other corrective action. They shall monitor the manufacturer's investigation of the incident.

2.   The national competent authorities shall carry out a risk assessment with regard to reported incidents or field safety corrective actions, taking into account criteria such as causality, detectability and probability of recurrence of the problem, frequency of use of the device, probability of occurrence of harm and severity of harm, clinical benefit of the device, intended and potential users, and population affected. They shall also evaluate the adequacy of the field safety corrective action envisaged or undertaken by the manufacturer and the need for and kind of any other corrective action. They shall monitor the manufacturer's investigation of the incident , as well as they shall take into account patients' opinions .

Amendment 203

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 — paragraph 3 — subparagraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

In the case of devices referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 1(4) and where the serious incident or field safety corrective action may be related to a substance which, if used separately, would be considered to be a medicinal product, the evaluating competent authority or the coordinating competent authority referred to in paragraph 6 shall inform the relevant competent authority for medicinal products, or the European Medicines Agency (EMA), that was consulted by the notified body in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 42(2).

In the case of devices referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 1(4) and where the incident or field safety corrective action may be related to a substance which, if used separately, would be considered to be a medicinal product, the evaluating competent authority or the coordinating competent authority referred to in paragraph 6 shall inform the relevant competent authority for medicinal products, or the EMA, that was consulted by the notified body in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 42(2).

Amendment 204

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 — paragraph 3 — subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

In the case of devices covered by this Regulation in accordance with point (e) of Article 1(2) and where the serious incident or field safety corrective action may be related to the tissues or cells of human origin utilised for the manufacture of the device, the competent authority or the coordinating competent authority referred to in paragraph 6 shall inform the relevant competent authority for human tissues and cells that was consulted by the notified body in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 42(2).

In the case of devices covered by this Regulation in accordance with point (e) of Article 1(2) and where the incident or field safety corrective action may be related to the tissues or cells of human origin utilised for the manufacture of the device, the competent authority or the coordinating competent authority referred to in paragraph 6 shall inform the relevant competent authority for human tissues and cells that was consulted by the notified body in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 42(2).

Amendment 205

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 — paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   After carrying out the assessment, the evaluating competent authority shall, through the electronic system referred to in Article 62, inform without delay the other competent authorities of the corrective action taken or envisaged by the manufacturer or imposed on him to minimise the risk of recurrence of a serious incident , including information on the underlying events and the outcome of its assessment.

4.   After carrying out the assessment, the evaluating competent authority shall, through the electronic system referred to in Article 62, inform without delay the other competent authorities of the corrective action taken or envisaged by the manufacturer or imposed on him to minimise the risk of recurrence, including information on the underlying events and the outcome of its assessment.

Amendment 206

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 — paragraph 6 — subparagraph 1 — point a

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(a)

where similar serious incidents related to the same device or type of device of the same manufacturer occur in more than one Member State;

(a)

where similar incidents related to the same device or type of device of the same manufacturer occur in more than one Member State;

Amendment 207

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 — paragraph 7 — subparagraph 1 — point a

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(a)

to monitor the investigation of the serious incident by the manufacturer and the corrective action to be taken;

(a)

to monitor the investigation of the incident by the manufacturer and the corrective action to be taken;

Amendment 208

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 — paragraph 7 — subparagraph 1 — point b

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b)

to consult with the notified body that issued a certificate in accordance with Article 45 for the device in question regarding the impact of the serious incident on the certificate;

(b)

to consult with the notified body that issued a certificate in accordance with Article 45 for the device in question regarding the impact of the incident on the certificate;

Amendment 209

Proposal for a regulation

Article 63 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 63 a

 

Periodic safety update reports

 

1.     Manufacturers of medical devices classified as class III shall report to the electronic system referred to in Article 62:

 

(a)

summaries of data relevant to the benefits and risks of the medical devices, including results of all studies with a consideration of their potential impact on the certification;

 

(b)

a scientific evaluation of the risk-benefit ratio of the medical device;

 

(c)

all data relating to the volume of sales of the medical devices including an estimate of the population exposed to the medical device.

 

2.     Manufacturers shall submit periodic safety update reports to the competent authorities immediately upon request or at least once a year during the first 2 years following initial placing on the market of that medical device.

 

3.     The MDCG shall assess the periodic safety update reports to determine whether there are new risks or whether risks have changed, or whether there are changes to the risk-benefit ratio of the medical device.

 

4.     Following the assessment of the periodic safety update reports, the MDCG shall consider whether any action regarding the medical device concerned is necessary. The MDCG shall inform the notified body in case of unfavourable scientific assessment. In this case, the notified body shall maintain, vary, suspend or revoke the authorisation as appropriate.

Amendment 210

Proposal for a regulation

Article 64 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Manufacturers of devices classified in class IIb and III shall report to the electronic system referred to in Article 62 any statistically significant increase in the frequency or severity of incidents that are not serious incidents or of expected undesirable side-effects that have a significant impact on the risk-benefit analysis referred to in Sections 1 and 5 of Annex I and which have led or may lead to unacceptable risks to the health or safety of patients, users or other persons when weighted against the intended benefits. The significant increase shall be established in comparison to the foreseeable frequency or severity of such incidents or expected undesirable side-effects in respect of the device, or category or group of devices, in question during a specific time period as established in the manufacturer's conformity assessment. Article 63 shall apply.

Manufacturers of devices classified in class IIb and III shall report to the electronic system referred to in Article 62 any statistically significant increase in the frequency or severity of all incidents or of expected undesirable side-effects that have a significant impact on the risk-benefit analysis referred to in Sections 1 and 5 of Annex I and which have led or may lead to unacceptable risks to the health or safety of patients, users or other persons when weighted against the intended benefits. The significant increase shall be established in comparison to the foreseeable frequency or severity of such incidents or expected undesirable side-effects in respect of the device, or category or group of devices, in question during a specific time period as established in the manufacturer's conformity assessment. Article 63 shall apply.

Amendment 211

Proposal for a regulation

Article 64 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 64a

 

Medical devices which fall under legal acts of the European Union concerning the quality and safety of blood

 

1.     This Regulation is without prejudice to existing and implemented provisions at European level relating to the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution of blood and blood components.

 

2.     This Regulation is without prejudice to national laws and Union legislation in the field of traceability and vigilance in the field of blood and blood components which have a higher standard than this Regulation. They should be retained in the interests of patients.

Amendment 212

Proposal for a regulation

Article 66 — paragraph 1 — point a