Explaining the Role of Importer under EU MDR

Global Medical Device Podcast · 1 Jul 2021 · 34m · Episode 217

What this episode covers

René Van De Zande, partner at MedEnvoy Global and former CEO of EMERGO by UL, explains the critical role of importers under the EU Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR). He details how importers and distributors share overlapping obligations under Articles 13 and 14, requiring robust quality management systems and due diligence to ensure device compliance, traceability, and proper labeling. Van De Zande highlights the operational challenges of managing multiple distributors as de facto importers and the necessity of independent importer services to maintain supply chain control. The discussion also covers regulatory nuances in the UK post-Brexit and Switzerland following the loss of the Mutual Recognition Agreement.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Let's Combinate · 43m

    120 - EU MDR R&R: What's the difference between Legal Manufacturer, Authorized Rep, PRRC, Importer and Distributor? with Founder of Easy Medical Device, Monir El Azzouzi

    Monir El Azzouzi, founder of Easy Medical Device, explains the distinct roles of legal manufacturer, authorized representative, importer, and distributor under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR). He details how these economic operators share liability for product compliance, with authorized representatives and importers performing specific verification checks on technical documentation and labeling before products enter the market. El Azzouzi emphasizes that while distributors handle physical logistics, importers and authorized reps are responsible for regulatory clearance, including maintaining traceability through UDI and EUDAMED database registrations. The conversation highlights the critical importance of clear mandates, quality agreements, and the legal obligation for authorized representatives to terminate contracts with non-compliant manufacturers to avoid personal liability.

  • Let's Combinate · 1h 29m

    015 - "Would You Use it on a Family Member?" with Monir El Azzouzi

    Monir El Azzouzi of Easy Medical Device explains the transition from the EU Medical Device Directive (MDD) to the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), highlighting the shift from self-certification to notified body oversight and the impact on private labeling. He details the structural differences between US FDA pathways (510k, PMA) and EU classification rules, noting that MDR requires full technical files for brand owners rather than just distributors. El Azzouzi also discusses the role of notified bodies, the conflict of interest preventing them from offering pre-submission guidance, and the importance of the 'would you use it on your family?' mantra in quality assurance.

  • Let's Combinate · 44m

    051 - "EU MDR" with Bassil Akra

    Bassil Akra, CEO of AKRA Team and former VP at TÜV SÜD, explains the implementation challenges of the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) 2017/745, focusing on the critical shortage of designated Notified Bodies and the resulting capacity constraints for manufacturers. He details the regulatory distinctions between Notified Bodies and Competent Authorities, clarifying that while Notified Bodies perform conformity assessments, Competent Authorities handle market surveillance and designate the bodies themselves. Akra specifically addresses Article 117 for drug-device combination products, explaining how manufacturers must obtain a Notified Body opinion on the device component if it lacks a CE mark, rather than a full certification, to support the medicinal product's market authorization.

  • Let's Combinate · 28m

    054 - "EUDAMED" with Richard Houlihan

    Richard Houlihan, CEO of Eirmed, discusses the history, structure, and compliance requirements of EUDAMED, the European Commission's medical device database. He details the system's six modules, highlighting the complexity of the clinical investigations module and the shift from private competent authority access to public transparency for device data. Houlihan explains the legal obligations for economic operators, including manufacturers, authorized representatives, and importers, emphasizing that EUDAMED is a mandatory cost of doing business in Europe with strict data validation rules.

  • Let's Combinate · 40m

    099 - Medical Device vs. Medicinal Product Reviews in the EU, Working at MHRA, Notified Bodies, EU MDR, ICH Q6 and Writing All About It with Janine Jamieson

    Janine Jamieson, European Editor at International Pharmaceutical Quality, explains the regulatory complexities of drug-device combination products in the EU, detailing her tenure as a pharmaceutical assessor at the UK MHRA. She describes the historical challenges of reviewing device-led products without clear pathways, which led to the introduction of Article 117 in the EU MDR to balance device and medicinal product reviews. The conversation covers the current state of notified bodies, the upcoming New Falsified Medicines Directive (New FMD), and the revision of ICH Q6 specifications to decouple safety from manufacturing capability.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Global Medical Device Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.