Australia TGA Changes ARTG Inclusion Process for Class 1 IVD Medical Devices

On 4 December 2020, the TGA inclusion process for Class 1 in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) changed. This follows similar changes made on 1 October 2020, for Class I non-measuring, non-sterile medical devices. 

These changes do not at this stage apply to, Class I Export Only and Class I IVD Export Only, only medical devices. 

• Applicants need to provide a manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity to include the device in the ARTG, rather than simply holding this documentation such a document at the time they apply for inclusion.  
• The manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity template for Class I non-sterile, non-measuring devices has been revised to be more user-friendly.
• The TGA will assess applications for compliance with the legal requirements for Class I medical devices to be included in the ARTG. 
• After conducting the assessment: 
  1. if the TGA is not satisfied the product meets all the requirements for inclusion in the ARTG, the TGA will select the application for non-mandatory audit; or 
  2. if the TGA is satisfied the product meets all the requirements for inclusion in the ARTG, the TGA will include the device in the ARTG within four (4) business days of receiving the application.  
• The TGA may conduct non-mandatory audits of Class I medical device or Class 1 IVD applications where, for example, there are concerns regarding a kind of device or it appears from the application that: 
  1. The device is not a medical device; 
  2. The device is incorrectly classified; 
  3. The device does not comply with the essential principles; 
  4. The device has not had the appropriate conformity assessment procedures applied to it; or 
  5. The information supplied in or with the application is not complete or correct.  
• You can check if your product is a medical device using the SME Assist tool.  
• All Class I medical devices and Class 1 IVD medical devices included in the ARTG will continue to be subject to post-market reviews, in accordance with the existing process. 

These changes are effective from 1 October 2020 and 4 December 2020 for Class I medical devices and Class 1 IVD medical devices respectively. 

More details are found on the Australia TGA website: 

https://www.tga.gov.au/changes-artg-inclusion-process-non-measuring-non-sterile-class-i-medical-devices-0/