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Glossary of Key Terms

Term (Spanish)EnglishDefinition
COFEPRISFederal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary RisksMexico's federal health regulatory authority, a division of the Ministry of Health (SSA).
Registro sanitarioSanitary registrationCOFEPRIS market authorisation required before a medical device can be sold in Mexico.
Insumos para la saludHealth suppliesThe broad category including medical devices, medicines, and diagnostic agents regulated under the Reglamento.
Dispositivo médicoMedical deviceAny instrument, apparatus, or accessory meeting the definition in the Reglamento de Insumos para la Salud.
Reglamento de Insumos para la SaludHealth Supplies RegulationThe secondary legislation implementing the Ley General de Salud for medical devices.
NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana)Official Mexican StandardMandatory technical standards issued by the relevant government ministry. For medical devices, NOMs are issued by SSA/COFEPRIS.
MRH (Mexico Registration Holder)Mexico Registration HolderThe legally constituted Mexican entity that holds sanitary registrations on behalf of a foreign manufacturer.
Responsable SanitarioHealth ManagerA qualified professional required at manufacturing, import, and distribution facilities to oversee compliance.
HomoclaveHomoclave (registration code)The alphanumeric code COFEPRIS assigns to each application type; used to identify the registration pathway.
DIGIPRiS—COFEPRIS's online portal for all regulatory submissions and permits.
DOF (Diario Oficial de la FederaciĂłn)Official Journal of the FederationMexico's official government gazette where all laws, regulations, and NOMs are published.
CNFVNational Centre for PharmacovigilanceThe COFEPRIS division responsible for receiving and assessing adverse event reports for medicines and medical devices.
TecnovigilanciaTechnovigilanceMexico's post-market surveillance system for medical devices (equivalent to EU vigilance or FDA MDR).
FSCAField Safety Corrective ActionAction taken to reduce risk from a device already placed on the market — corresponds to a recall or correction.
Ruta de equivalenciaEquivalency RouteFast-track registration pathway for devices already approved by an IMDRF or MDSAP-recognised authority.
RRA (Autoridad Regulatoria de Referencia)Reference Regulatory AuthorityA foreign authority whose approvals are recognised by COFEPRIS for the equivalency route (e.g., FDA, EMA, TGA, Health Canada).
PANDRHPan American Network for Drug Regulatory HarmonizationRegional regulatory harmonisation network including Mexico and other PAHO member states.
IMDRFInternational Medical Device Regulators ForumGlobal forum of medical device regulatory authorities; COFEPRIS is a member.
MDSAPMedical Device Single Audit ProgrammeInternational QMS audit programme whose certificates are recognised by COFEPRIS for the equivalency route.
CFSCertificate of Free SaleDocument from a reference authority confirming a device is approved for sale in its home market; required for the equivalency route.
Aviso de funcionamientoNotice of operationCOFEPRIS authorisation required for manufacturing, import, and storage facilities operating in Mexico.