Medical Device Regulation (MDR)

Does Fresenius Medical Care fulfil the MDR requirements?​

Conformity of Fresenius Medical Cares Quality Management System with the applicable MDR requirements was assessed and confirmed during external audits by the Notified Body in 2019. Since then, we are subject to regular surveillance audits regarding MDR conformity.​

An equally important prerequisite for obtaining the MDR certification is the product verification in terms of conformity with the requirements of the MDR. After successful assessment by the Notified Body, the first Product Category has been included in the MDR certification scope. The number of products conforming with MDR will constantly increase over the next years in line with the MDR transition provisions.

The respective EU certificate pursuant to the MDR that has been issued by the Notified Body will be updated accordingly with the respective product categories.

When will all affected Fresenius Medical Care products conform with the new MDR requirements?​

Our medical devices will be placed on the EU market in conformity with the applicable EU requirements during the legally defined transition periods from the former MDD to the MDR. ​

Until May 2024, products which have been certified under MDD can under certain conditions still be placed on the market after the MDR fully applies, as long as their EC certificates are valid. ​

Accordingly, Fresenius Medical Care will place both MDD and MDR certified medical devices on the market during this period and, until May 2024, the Fresenius Medical Care products with MDD certification will gradually be certified according to MDR. Adaptations to the FME portfolio may become necessary in this phase. ​

Until May 2025, a sell-off of stocked MDD certified products may still take place, which will be restocked with MDR certified products.

Which changes in labelling are expected for MDR certified products?​

MDR certified products require a Unique Device Identifier (UDI). The UDI is a series of numeric or alphanumeric characters that  allows the identification of a specific device on the market. Specific symbols are needed for MDR certified products, examples are shown in the first illustration. The UDI code on MDR conform devices does not replace the article number, it is for product identification and traceability during the complete life cycle of the product*.​

Please find an example for an MDR conform generic sample label in the second illustration.

What extent of product traceability must customers ensure regarding our medical devices after implementation of the UDI labelling requirement? ​

MDR certified products require a Unique Device Identifier (UDI). The UDI is a series of numeric or alphanumeric characters that  allows the identification of a specific device on the market.

The relevant applicable obligations for customers are described in EU Commission factsheets (see link section below*) for​

• Unique device identifier (UDI)​
   
• Authorized representatives, distributors, and importers ​
  ​​​​​​​
• Healthcare professionals and health institutions​

What is the relevance of the EUDAMED database?​

The European Database on Medical Devices (EUDAMED) is a database managed by the EU Commission for the storing of information about medical devices.

The aim of EUDAMED is to strengthen market surveillance by providing competent authorities with fast access to information on manufacturers, authorized representatives, medical devices, certificates and vigilance data, to share information on clinical investigation data, as well as to contribute to a uniform application of regulatory requirements, in particular in relation to registration requirements.​

All manufacturers and all medical devices to be placed on the EU market will be registered in EUDAMED. Manufacturers (like Fresenius Medical Care) have to ensure that all data provided to EUDAMED are correct and up-to-date. Data includes product related data, data from different market surveillance reports, and data concerning the registered economic operator.​

Fresenius Medical Care has to take care of the fulfillment of the requirements regarding  EUDAMED registration and reporting in accordance with the legally defined timelines.