226 - Navigating China NMPA Medical Device Requirements | Standards, GMP Updates, Agents & Classification
Elaine (Yi Ling Tan) of MedTech Chopsticks explains that Western manufacturers often fail in China because they assume EU or US approvals (IEC/ISO, FDA) translate directly, whereas China requires compliance with local GB (national) and YY (industry) standards. She details the necessity of local type testing using Product Technical Requirements (PTRs) and highlights that China’s GMP differs from ISO 13485, particularly with upcoming dual market release requirements in November 2026. The conversation covers the critical role of China agents in managing NMPA-designated testing labs, clinical evaluation predicates, and post-market surveillance, noting that misclassification changes every two years can drastically alter regulatory strategy.