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Technical Documentation

NMRA ยท F-MDR-035 ยท Essential requirements ยท ISO 13485 ยท ISO 14971

Essential Requirements Complianceโ€‹

All devices registered with the NMRA must demonstrate compliance with NMRA essential requirements for safety and performance. These are broadly aligned with EU Medical Device Directive essential requirements and cover:

General Requirementsโ€‹

  • Device is designed and manufactured to be safe when used as intended and as reasonably foreseeable
  • Known and foreseeable risks minimised; benefits outweigh residual risks
  • Performance claims substantiated

Design and Construction Requirementsโ€‹

Requirement AreaKey Standards
Chemical, physical, biological propertiesISO 10993 series (biocompatibility)
Infection and microbial contaminationISO 11135, 11137, 17665 (sterilisation as applicable)
Construction and environmental propertiesIEC 60601-1 (active devices), relevant performance standards
Devices with measuring functionsAccuracy and precision requirements
Radiation protectionAEA Act requirements (radiation-emitting devices)
Active devices โ€” energy sourcesIEC 60601-1 series
SoftwareIEC 62304, IEC 62366

ISO 13485 โ€” QMS Certificationโ€‹

All Class I, IIa, IIb, and III devices require ISO 13485 certification of the manufacturer:

  • Certificate from an internationally accredited certification body
  • Scope covering the specific product category
  • Current at time of submission (not expired)
  • Covers the manufacturing site where the device is produced

ISO 14971 โ€” Risk Managementโ€‹

Every device registration dossier must include a risk management summary:

  • Hazard identification for the specific device in its intended use context
  • Risk estimation for each identified hazard
  • Risk control measures implemented
  • Residual risk evaluation
  • Benefit-risk analysis confirming benefits outweigh residual risks

The full ISO 14971 risk management file is held by the manufacturer; the dossier includes a comprehensive summary report.

Documentation Depth by Classโ€‹

ClassDocumentation Expectation
Listed/ICore essential requirements compliance; basic risk management; abbreviated CER for well-established technologies
IIaStandard essential requirements checklist; clinical evaluation with literature review; ISO 13485
IIbDetailed clinical evaluation report; full risk management; MDEC review โ€” prepare for deeper scrutiny
IIIComprehensive clinical data; rigorous CER; full design history; MDEC review

Local Testing Requirements โ€” LK-Uniqueโ€‹

Certain device categories require physical testing to be conducted locally in Sri Lanka as part of the registration process. This is a distinctive NMRA requirement:

Device CategoryLocal Testing Required
Devices that come into direct contact with the blood streamโœ… Yes
Latex products โ€” condomsโœ… Yes
Latex products โ€” surgical glovesโœ… Yes
Latex products โ€” examination glovesโœ… Yes
Latex products โ€” bandages with latex contentโœ… Yes
Feeding bottlesโœ… Yes
Toothbrushesโœ… Yes
Medical gas cylindersโœ… Yes

To conduct local testing, a Sample Import Licence must be obtained before the samples can enter Sri Lanka. Budget the time and cost for local testing into your overall registration planning.