Active implantable medical devices (AIMD)
Active implantable medical devices under Part II of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ definition, scope, Essential Requirements, conformity assessment, and the distinction from Class III general medical devices.
Advertising rules
The rules governing advertising and promotion of medical devices in the UK โ which claims are permitted, the prohibition on advertising unregistered devices, the role of MHRA and the ASA, and the special rules for IVDs and implantable devices.
All MHRA guidance (by topic)
Index of MHRA guidance documents for medical devices, organised by topic โ covering classification, clinical evaluation, post-market surveillance, vigilance, software, IVDs, and the MHRA Submissions portal.
Annual fees
MHRA annual registration and compliance fees for medical device manufacturers and UKRPs โ fee structure, payment, and what happens if fees are not paid.
Approved for Use designations
MHRA's "Approved for Use" designation mechanism โ what it is, how it differs from standard market authorisation, and the conditions under which MHRA can grant this status.
Borderline & combination products
How MHRA approaches products that sit on the boundary between medical devices and other regulatory frameworks โ medicines, cosmetics, biocides โ and how drug-device combination products are regulated under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002.
CE marking โ transitional acceptance in GB
How CE marking is accepted on the Great Britain market under transitional arrangements โ the current deadline of 30 June 2030, what devices are covered, the conditions that apply, and what manufacturers must still do even when relying on CE marking for GB access.
Checklist & compliance matrix
How to structure an Essential Requirements checklist and traceability matrix for a UK MDR 2002 technical file โ with a worked example framework, common pitfalls, and guidance on maintaining the checklist throughout the device lifecycle.
Class I ยท IIa ยท IIb ยท III
Overview of the four risk classes for general medical devices under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ what defines each class, UKAB requirements, conformity assessment routes, and practical examples of devices in each class.
Class I self-declaration pathway
How manufacturers of Class I medical devices self-declare conformity under the UK MDR 2002 โ the process, required documentation, MHRA registration, and the three Class I sub-categories that require partial UK Approved Body involvement.
Class IIa ยท IIb ยท III โ UK Approved Body routes
The UK Approved Body conformity assessment routes for Class IIa, IIb, and III medical devices under Schedule 3 of the UK MDR 2002 โ QMS audits, type examination, design dossier assessment, and the certificate types issued.
Classification rules โ Schedule 2 in detail
A rule-by-rule walkthrough of all 18 classification rules in Schedule 2 of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002, with the device characteristics each rule targets and practical examples.
Clinical evaluation requirements
What clinical evaluation entails for medical devices under the UK MDR 2002 โ the clinical evaluation process, literature-based evidence, equivalent device approach, clinical investigations, and ongoing post-market clinical follow-up (PMCF).
Clinical evaluation summary in the technical file
How the clinical evaluation is presented and referenced in the medical device technical file under UK MDR 2002 โ the Clinical Evaluation Report, its relationship to other technical file elements, and post-market update requirements.
Clinical investigations โ access pathways
How investigational medical devices can be used in clinical investigations in the UK before full conformity assessment โ MHRA notification, ethics requirements, the investigational device exemption, and special access provisions for participants.
Clinical investigations in the UK
How to conduct a clinical investigation of a medical device in the UK โ MHRA notification, ethics committee approval, protocol requirements, adverse event reporting, and post-investigation obligations under the UK MDR 2002.
Conformity assessment โ overview & route selection
How conformity assessment works under the UK MDR 2002 โ the available routes by device class, the role of UK Approved Bodies, how to select the right route, and what the process produces.
Custom-made device exemption
How the custom-made device exemption from standard conformity assessment works under the UK MDR 2002 โ who qualifies, what obligations remain, and the limits of the exemption.
Custom-made devices
The regulatory requirements for custom-made medical devices under the UK MDR 2002 โ definition, who qualifies, the modified conformity assessment pathway, required documentation, and the distinction from standard devices adapted for individual patients.
Design & construction requirements โ ER 7โ17
The specific design and construction Essential Requirements in Section II of Schedule 1 of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ covering chemical and biological properties, infection control, measuring function, radiation, software, and labelling.
Design & manufacturing information
The design and manufacturing information required in a medical device technical file under the UK MDR 2002 โ design inputs and outputs, verification and validation, manufacturing process documentation, and quality system records.
Device description & specifications
What the device description and specification section of the technical file must contain under the UK MDR 2002 โ product identification, intended purpose, design specifications, variants, and accessories.
Device-level registration requirements
What information must be provided at the device level when registering with MHRA โ device descriptions, classification, certificate references, and the distinction between registering a device family vs individual models.
Devices for export only
Regulatory requirements for medical devices manufactured in Great Britain for export only โ what obligations apply, what obligations do not apply, MHRA's position on export certificates, and compliance with the destination country's regulatory framework.
Devices incorporating a medicinal substance
How medical devices that incorporate a medicinal substance are regulated under the UK MDR 2002 โ the device-led vs medicine-led determination, Class III classification, the role of MHRA, and practical examples including drug-eluting stents and antibiotic-impregnated devices.
Distribution records
The distribution record-keeping requirements for medical device manufacturers and importers under the UK MDR 2002 โ what must be recorded, retention periods, and why adequate records are essential for effective recalls and FSCAs.
Essential Requirements โ overview
The Essential Requirements under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ what they are, where they are found (Schedule 1 and Schedule 1A), how to demonstrate conformity, the role of UK-designated standards, and the checklist and traceability matrix approach.
Exceptional Use Authorisations (EUA)
MHRA's Exceptional Use Authorisation mechanism โ when MHRA can authorise the use of an unlicensed or non-UKCA-marked device in exceptional circumstances, including public health emergencies.
Exemptions from reporting
Circumstances in which a serious incident is exempt from mandatory individual reporting to MHRA under UK MDR 2002, and how to document non-reporting decisions.
Field Safety Notices (FSNs)
What a Field Safety Notice must contain, how it should be distributed, MHRA review of FSN content, and the mandatory elements under the UK MDR 2002 and MHRA guidance.
Finding a UK Approved Body
How to identify the right UK Approved Body for your device โ using MHRA's designated list, understanding scope of designation, and selecting a UKAB for your device type.
Forms, fees & timelines
Key forms, fee schedules, and timeline guidance for MHRA processes โ registration fees, pre-submission meeting fees, export certificate fees, and indicative UKAB certification timelines.
General requirements โ ER 1โ6
A detailed examination of the six general Essential Requirements in Section I of Schedule 1 of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ the safety, performance, risk management, and design principles that apply to every medical device placed on the GB market.
Glossary of key terms
Plain English definitions of the key regulatory terms used in the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 and MHRA guidance โ from AIMD and Declaration of Conformity to UKCA marking, UKRP, and vigilance reporting.
Great Britain vs Northern Ireland
How the UK's exit from the EU created two distinct medical device regulatory regimes within the United Kingdom โ UK MDR 2002 and UKCA marking for Great Britain, and EU MDR/IVDR and CE marking for Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
How classification works
How medical device classification works under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ the rule-based system for general devices (Classes I, IIa, IIb, III), active implantable devices (AIMD), and IVDs (List A, List B, Self-test, General) โ and why classification determines everything else.
How to read UK legislation
A practical guide to navigating legislation.gov.uk to find, read, and interpret the UK MDR 2002 and its amendments โ including the difference between the original and revised (consolidated) text.
How to report โ MHRA Submissions portal & Yellow Card
Practical mechanics of submitting vigilance reports to MHRA โ the Submissions portal for manufacturers and UKRPs, the Yellow Card scheme for healthcare professionals and patients, report content requirements, and post-submission follow-up.
Human tissue & cells components
Medical devices incorporating human tissue or cells โ how they are regulated under the UK MDR 2002 in combination with the Human Tissue Act 2004 and MHRA/HTA oversight, and the distinction between device-led and transplant/therapy-led products.
Implantable devices
Regulatory requirements specific to implantable medical devices under the UK MDR 2002 โ classification, additional Essential Requirements, implant cards, long-duration traceability, and vigilance obligations.
Introduction
RAPath UK โ a plain English reference for UK medical device regulation under the UK MDR 2002, MHRA, UKCA marking, UK Approved Bodies, and the Northern Ireland / Windsor Framework. What this site is, who it is for, and how to use it.
IVD classification โ List A ยท List B ยท Self-test ยท General
IVD medical device classification under Part III of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ Annex II List A, Annex II List B, self-test devices, and general IVDs, with conformity assessment requirements for each category and comparison with EU IVDR Class AโD.
IVD Essential Requirements (Schedule 1A)
The Essential Requirements specific to in vitro diagnostic medical devices under Schedule 1A of Part III of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ analytical performance, clinical performance, labelling, and instructions for use requirements.
Keeping registration up to date
How manufacturers and UKRPs must maintain their MHRA registration throughout the device lifecycle โ when to update registrations, what changes trigger an update obligation, and the consequences of outdated registration.
Labelling requirements
The labelling requirements for medical devices placed on the GB market under UK MDR 2002 Schedule 1, Essential Requirement 18 โ mandatory label elements, UKCA mark placement, UKRP details, language requirements, and IFU obligations.
Lifecycle of a medical device in the UK
A stage-by-stage overview of the regulatory lifecycle of a medical device in Great Britain โ from concept and classification through pre-market conformity assessment and MHRA registration to post-market surveillance, vigilance, and end-of-life obligations under the UK MDR 2002.
MHRA-initiated safety actions
The powers MHRA can exercise to initiate safety actions independently of manufacturers โ including suspension and prohibition notices, recall orders, public warnings, and enforcement under the UK MDR 2002.
Notifying changes to MHRA
Which changes to a device, its manufacturer, or its UKRP must be formally notified to MHRA โ and which changes are handled through registration update vs. separate notification.
Open MHRA consultations
Currently open and recently closed MHRA consultations on medical device regulation โ how to respond to consultations and where to find them.
Overview โ NI's unique dual-market position
Northern Ireland's unique position within the UK medical device regulatory landscape โ why EU MDR and EU IVDR apply in NI, what this means for manufacturers, and where to find more information.
Performance evaluation for IVDs
Performance evaluation requirements for IVD medical devices under Part III of the UK MDR 2002 โ analytical performance, clinical performance, scientific validity, and the Performance Evaluation Report (PER).
Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs)
PSUR requirements for Class IIa, IIb, III, AIMD, and higher-risk IVDs under the UK MDR 2002 โ what a PSUR must contain, frequency, relationship to PMS data, and UKAB access requirements.
Permitted & prohibited claims
What claims are permitted and prohibited in UK medical device labelling, IFU, and advertising โ including performance claims, clinical outcome claims, comparison claims, and the prohibition on claims that exceed the device's registered intended purpose.
PMS requirements by device class
Post-market surveillance obligations for each device class under the UK MDR 2002 โ what PMS must cover, the PMS plan and report, class-specific requirements, and PSUR frequency.
Post-Brexit amending instruments
The statutory instruments that have amended the UK MDR 2002 since Brexit โ principally SI 2019/791 and subsequent instruments extending transitional arrangements and introducing regulatory changes.
Post-Brexit transition timeline
A chronological overview of the key regulatory transitions affecting medical device manufacturers operating in the UK market since Brexit โ UKCA implementation, CE marking grace periods, MHRA registration deadlines, and the Northern Ireland Windsor Framework.
Post-Market Clinical Follow-up (PMCF)
PMCF requirements for medical devices under the UK MDR 2002 โ what PMCF is, when it is required, PMCF plan and report structure, methods, and how PMCF data feeds back into the clinical evaluation.
Post-market overview & ongoing responsibilities
An overview of the post-market obligations for medical device manufacturers and economic operators under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ what continues after a device is placed on the GB market and why post-market compliance is as important as pre-market compliance.
Practical compliance for multi-market manufacturers
Practical regulatory strategies for manufacturers placing devices on both the GB and NI markets, or on GB, NI, and the EU โ covering registration, marking, conformity assessment, and vigilance.
Recalls โ process & MHRA coordination
How a medical device recall is conducted in the UK โ the types of recall action, working with MHRA, recall classifications, logistics, completion evidence, and post-recall follow-up.
Recent regulatory changes
The most recent changes to UK medical device regulation โ MHRA announcements, new guidance publications, statutory instrument amendments, and Windsor Framework developments, current as of May 2026.
Registration via the MHRA Submissions portal
Step-by-step guide to completing device registration via the MHRA Submissions portal โ account setup, registration workflow, required information, and common issues.
Regulatory framework overview
A structured overview of the UK medical device regulatory framework โ the MHRA, the UK MDR 2002, UKCA marking, UK Approved Bodies, the Northern Ireland dual-market position, and how the framework compares to the EU MDR/IVDR.
Reporting timeframes
Mandatory timeframes for reporting serious incidents and FSCAs to MHRA โ 2-day, 10-day, and 30-day reports, initial vs final reports, and how to handle ongoing investigations.
Risk management (ISO 14971)
How to apply ISO 14971 risk management to satisfy Essential Requirement 2 of the UK MDR 2002 โ the risk management plan, hazard identification, risk estimation, risk controls, residual risk evaluation, and the lifecycle requirement to keep the risk file updated.
Rules applying in Northern Ireland
The specific EU regulatory rules that apply in Northern Ireland โ EU MDR 2017/745, EU IVDR 2017/746, CE marking, EU Notified Bodies, and EUDAMED registration.
Schedule 1 โ Essential Requirements
Schedule 1 of the UK MDR 2002 contains the Essential Requirements for general medical devices and AIMDs. Schedule 1A (Part III) contains the ERs for IVD medical devices.
Schedule 2 โ Classification rules
Schedule 2 of the UK MDR 2002 contains the 18 classification rules for general medical devices. These rules are applied by manufacturers to determine whether a device is Class I, IIa, IIb, or III.
Schedule 3 โ Conformity assessment
Schedule 3 of the UK MDR 2002 contains the conformity assessment annexes (Annexes IโVII equivalent) for general medical devices. Equivalent provisions for AIMDs are in Part II Schedule 3, and for IVDs in Part III Schedule 3.
Single-use devices
The regulatory framework for single-use medical devices in the UK โ mandatory labelling, the prohibition on reprocessing and reuse, and the specific requirements for manufacturers who place reprocessed single-use devices on the GB market.
Software & AI as a medical device
Detailed guidance on software as a medical device (SaMD) and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) medical devices under the UK MDR 2002 โ qualification, classification, technical documentation requirements, and MHRA's AI Change Programme.
Software & SaMD classification
How standalone software is classified as a medical device under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ the qualification test, applicable classification rules, MHRA guidance on AI and machine learning, and comparison with the EU MDR/MDCG approach.
Systems & procedure packs
How systems and procedure packs are regulated under the UK MDR 2002 โ the definition of a system or procedure pack, the obligations on the person assembling the pack, the statement required, and when a pack constitutes a new medical device.
Technical documentation โ overview
What the technical file must contain under UK MDR 2002, how it is structured, the difference between a technical file and a design dossier, UKAB access requirements, and how the technical file must evolve throughout the device lifecycle.
The MHRA Submissions portal โ how-to
A practical guide to using the MHRA Submissions portal for device registration, UKRP registration, vigilance reporting, and FSCA notifications โ who needs an account, how to set one up, and what the portal is used for.
The Windsor Framework โ what changed in 2023
The Windsor Framework agreed in March 2023 replaced the Northern Ireland Protocol โ what changed for medical device regulation in NI, and what remained the same.
Transitioning from EU Notified Body certificates
How manufacturers with EU Notified Body certificates transition to UK Approved Body certification for the GB market โ legacy certificate acceptance, 2030 deadline planning, and the practical steps for UKCA transition.
Trend reporting
When and how to submit a trend report to MHRA โ criteria for a reportable trend, statistical significance, report content, and the relationship to PMS and PSURs.
UDI โ Unique Device Identification (UK)
The Unique Device Identification (UDI) system for medical devices in Great Britain โ current requirements, MHRA's implementation timeline, UDI structure (DI and PI), and how UK UDI relates to EU UDI requirements.
UK Declaration of Conformity
What a UK Declaration of Conformity is, what it must contain, who signs it, how it differs from an EU Declaration of Conformity, and how to maintain it throughout the device lifecycle under the UK MDR 2002.
UK MDR 2002 โ overview & structure
Overview of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/618 as amended) โ its three Parts, key provisions, post-Brexit amendments, and how it fits within the wider UK regulatory framework for medical devices.
UK-designated standards
UK-designated standards for medical devices โ the list of standards that provide a presumption of conformity with the Essential Requirements of the UK MDR 2002, including ISO 13485, ISO 14971, and the IEC 60601 series.
UKAB audit process
The stages of a UK Approved Body audit โ from initial application through document review, on-site audit, certificate decision, and ongoing surveillance.
UKAB certificates
Types of certificates issued by UK Approved Bodies โ QMS certificates, Design Examination certificates, Type Examination certificates, their validity period, and what suspension or withdrawal means.
UKCA / CE transitional deadline tracker
A tracker of key UKCA marking and CE marking transitional deadlines for the GB market โ current status as of May 2026, and what manufacturers need to do before 30 June 2030.
UKCA marking and Northern Ireland
The relationship between UKCA marking and the Northern Ireland market โ why UKCA is not accepted in NI, the UKNI indication, and what CE-marked devices can and cannot do.
UKCA marking requirements
How to correctly apply the UKCA mark under UK MDR 2002 โ who can affix it, what it must look like, where it must appear, the UKAB identification number, and the transitional CE marking acceptance for the GB market until 30 June 2030.
Upcoming changes & reform tracker
Anticipated changes to UK medical device regulation โ the MHRA reform programme, expected statutory instruments, UDI implementation milestones, and the 2030 UKCA deadline.
Using overseas clinical data
How clinical data generated outside the UK โ from EU, US, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, or other investigations and studies โ can be used to support clinical evaluation under the UK MDR 2002.
What are UK Approved Bodies?
UK Approved Bodies (UKABs) are the UK equivalent of EU Notified Bodies โ organisations designated by MHRA to carry out third-party conformity assessment of medical devices for the GB market.
What is a medical device?
The legal definition of a medical device under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/618), the intended purpose principle, mode of action exclusion, and how to determine whether your product requires MHRA compliance.
What is an IVD?
The legal definition of an in vitro diagnostic medical device (IVD) under Part III of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002, IVD classification categories, and how IVD regulation differs from general medical devices.
What is not a medical device?
Products that are not medical devices under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ exclusions, borderline categories, lifestyle and wellness products, and how MHRA approaches products on the boundary of the definition.
What must be reported to MHRA
The events that trigger mandatory vigilance reporting under the UK MDR 2002 โ serious incidents, FSCAs, trend reports, and the criteria for determining whether an event is reportable.
When an FSCA is required
The criteria that require a manufacturer to initiate a Field Safety Corrective Action (FSCA) under the UK MDR 2002 โ what constitutes an FSCA, how to decide if action is needed, and the relationship between FSCAs and vigilance reporting.
Who must register with MHRA
Which entities are required to register with MHRA before placing medical devices on the Great Britain market โ manufacturers, UK Responsible Persons, and authorised representatives โ and the consequences of failing to register.
Who needs to comply?
The economic operators with obligations under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 โ manufacturers, UK Responsible Persons (UKRPs), importers, distributors, and authorised representatives โ and what each role requires.