Using assessments from comparable overseas regulators for medical devices

We recognise a range of international assessments and approvals from comparable overseas regulators that sponsors can choose to provide when submitting their applications for inclusion of medical devices in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). 

We also allow use of overseas assessment reports as the basis for abridgement of the assessment of an application for a TGA conformity assessment certificate.

Comparable overseas regulators and assessment bodies recognised by the TGA include:

• notified bodies designated by the medical device regulators of European member states, under the medical device regulatory frameworks of the European Union
• the Food and Drug Administration of the United States
• Health Canada
• Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) Auditing Organisations
• the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency of Japan
• Singapore's Health Sciences Authority
• approved bodies designated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the United Kingdom.

The following five criteria are used when considering overseas regulator assessments and approvals for Australian regulatory purposes.

These are considered in developing advice for the Secretary on whether to add an overseas regulator to the Therapeutic Goods (Overseas Regulators) Determination 2018 and Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Information that Must Accompany Application for Inclusion) Determination 2018. 

Further discussion on these criteria was included in the consultation on this issue in 2017.

1. Comparability of the regulatory framework

Scope:

• Does the overseas regulator take into account the same or similar regulatory objectives and other factors that are prescribed in the TGA's legislation and regulations (e.g. is the definition of a medical device substantially the same)?
• Does it take into account objectives that are excluded in the Australian legislation, for example additional policy objectives such as industry development or environmental protection?
• Does the overseas regulator provide complete (un-redacted) reports and is supporting scientific data used in assessments available if necessary?

Operational alignment:

• Is there a clearly defined framework within which assessment reports are prepared by an overseas regulator?
• Does the overseas regulator require or allow for compliance with international standards in assessing medical devices?
• Does the overseas regulator routinely provide its assessment reports in English and are these available to the relevant sponsor?

2. International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF)

• Is the overseas regulator a participating member of the IMDRF (i.e. a member of the IMDRF management committee)?

3. Life cycle approach and post-market vigilance

• Does the overseas regulatory framework apply across the life cycle of medical devices?
• Does the overseas regulator have a robust approach to post-market vigilance?

4. Communication and cooperation with overseas regulators

• Do the overseas regulator and TGA have communication and/or cooperative arrangements in place?
• Is there a framework within which assessment reports prepared by overseas regulators, as well as surveillance signals, regulatory actions etc., can be shared with the TGA (and vice versa)?

5. Expertise of the overseas regulator

Does the overseas regulator have experience in conducting product evaluations and QMS assessments, by competent resources, which would satisfy the expectations for internationally agreed best practice, both generally and for particular types of medical devices?

In consultation with the medical devices industry, the TGA has developed guidance which provides an overview on the use of specific overseas assessments and approvals by sponsors in their applications for ARTG inclusion and when they request the abridgement of applications for TGA Conformity Assessment certification:

• Use of market authorisation evidence from comparable overseas regulatory bodies for medical devices.