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Writer's pictureJosh Craven

The History of Medical Device Regulation in the UK

The UK has long been a pioneer in medical device regulation, establishing legal frameworks that govern their development, manufacture, and distribution. This article will delve into the history of medical device regulation in the UK, charting the significant milestones that have shaped the landscape of this rapidly evolving industry.



Early Beginnings: The Medicines Act 1968

The origins of medical device regulation in the UK can be traced back to the Medicines Act of 1968. While the primary focus was on regulating medicinal products, this Act introduced some provisions that laid the foundation for medical device regulation. Critical aspects of the Act included imposing licensing requirements on manufacturers and ensuring that authorities monitored the safety and efficacy of products on the market.


European Union Directives: MDD, AIMDD, and IVDD:

The United Kingdom was a member of the European Union, and as such, European directives influenced UK medical device regulations for decades. In the 1990s, the government established three key directives which significantly impacted the regulation of medical devices in the UK:

  1. The Medical Devices Directive (MDD) 93/42/EEC: The MDD, implemented in the UK in 1994, offered a comprehensive regulatory framework for various medical devices. It created essential requirements, classification methods, and pre-market assessment processes to ensure the safety and performance of devices.

  2. The Active Implantable Medical Devices Directive (AIMDD) 90/385/EEC: This Directive, adopted in 1990, explicitly focused on active implantable medical devices, like pacemakers. The AIMDD was essential in laying out specific manufacturing and safety standards for these higher-risk devices.

  3. The In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Directive (IVDD) 98/79/EC: Implemented in the UK in 1998, the IVDD governed various types of laboratory equipment and diagnostic devices and provided manufacturers with stringent safety and performance standards.


Transition to the New European Regulations

In 2017, the European Union updated and consolidated the MDD, AIMDD, and IVDD into two new regulations in response to emerging technologies, industry growth, and other concerns:

  1. The Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) 2017/745: This expanded regulation replaced the MDD and AIMDD, offering a clear framework to regulate novel medical devices and technologies.

  2. The In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR) 2017/746: The updated IVDR provided a more comprehensive scope, with new classification criteria and conformity assessment procedures for in vitro diagnostic devices.

The MDR and IVDR had a transition period. The full implementation of the MDR was scheduled for May 2021, while the full implementation of the IVDR came into effect in May 2022.


Brexit and the UK's UKCA Mark

Following the UK's departure from the European Union, the UK implemented a new regulatory framework for medical devices. EU regulations, such as the MDR and IVDR, were incorporated into UK law, requiring slight adaptations. As of January 1, 2021, the UK began phasing in using the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark. This UK-specific mark replaced the European CE mark, signifying conformity with UK regulations for medical devices.


While the UK has transitioned from European directives and regulations, their influence remains strong in the UK's current regulatory approach. The shared regulatory history ensures alignment between UK medical device regulation and European Union regulations moving forward.


A combination of local legislation, European directives, and various regulatory adaptations has moulded the history of medical device regulation in the UK. It demonstrates an ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety, efficacy, and performance of medical devices available within the country. As medical technologies advance rapidly, the UK's regulatory framework is poised to evolve in response to new challenges and opportunities in the medical device industry.

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