Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) and Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (IVDR) of the European Parliament and of the Council establish a reinforced regulatory framework for medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices. Their objectives are a high level of protection of health for patients and users and the smooth functioning of the internal market for these products. To achieve these objectives and, in light of issues identified with the previous regulatory framework, the Regulations set out a more robust system of conformity assessment to ensure the quality, safety, and performance of devices placed on the EU market.
The MDR has been applicable since 26 May 2021
The transition period provided for in Article 120(3) will end on 26 May 2024.
The IVDR has been applicable since 26 May 2022. In January 2022, the European Parliament and the Council adopted a staggered extension of its transition period, ranging from 26 May 2025 for high risk in vitro diagnostics to 26 May 2027 for
lower risk in vitro diagnostics, and to 26 May 2028 for certain provisions concerning devices manufactured and used in health institutions .
Despite considerable progress over the past years, the overall capacity of conformity assessment (‘notified’) bodies remains insufficient to carry out the tasks required of them. In addition, many manufacturers are not sufficiently prepared to meet the
strengthened requirements of the MDR by the end of the transition period. This is threatening the availability of medical devices on the EU market.
At present, 36 notified bodies are designated under Regulation (EU) 2017/745.
Further 26 applications for designation as notified body are currently being processed; three of them are at an advanced stage
.