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For an update to the above
mentioned draft, please download the following PDF file of the
DIRECTIVE 98/79/EC of
October 1998:
DIRECTIVE
98/79/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 October 1998 on in
vitro diagnostic medical devices.
About the European Union:
Member States:
The process of integrating Europe into
the European Union (EU) was launched on May 9, 1950. Six countries (Belgium,
Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) joined from the start,
followed by four waves of accessions: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom in
1973, Greece in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986, and Austria, Finland and
Sweden in 1995. Currently the EU has 15 members and is preparing for the
accession of 13 Eastern European countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.)
The Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA)
extends the single market of the EU to Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein.
Switzerland is also included through bilateral agreements.
More about the EU >>
Languages:
There are currently eleven official languages of the European Union
in number (Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian,
Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish). Irish (Gaelic, Gaeilge) is regarded as
an official language for certain texts.
Member states may require that the labeling specified in the
Document Structure Description (DSD) be printed in their
official language or languages
before
the product is allowed on the market.
More about
language requirements >>
Medical Devices - The sector covers some
8000 types of products, ranging from simple bandages and spectacles, through
life maintaining implantable devices, equipment to screen and diagnose disease
and health conditions, to the most sophisticated diagnostic imaging and minimal
invasive surgery equipment.
More about EU Medical Devices >>
Guidelines
relating to the application of:
 |
The council directive 90/385/eec on
active implantable medical devices |
 |
The council directive 93/42/eec on
medical devices |
Definition of Medical Devices, accessory,
manufacturer
Guide
to the implementation of directives based on the New Approach and the Global
Approach
The In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Directive (IVDMDD)
Table of Contents
(Click on the hyperlinks in the following Table of Contents to access the
selected topic. To return to the Table of Contents, use your browser back
button, or click on the Back to Table of Content link provided.)
- Introduction
- In Vitro Diagnostic Device
- Labels
- Immediate Container
- Required Information
- Exemption
- Outer Container
- Required Information
- User Instructions
- Requirements
-
Exemptions
- Instructions for Use - Reagents
-
Required Information
- Information from the Label
- Other Information
- Instruments and equipment
- Required Information
Labeling of Devices with Hazardous Substances
- Requirement
-
Labeling
- Hazardous Symbols
-
EU Language Codes
-
If a substance requires more than one symbol
- R-Phrases (Risk Phrases)
-
List of Risk Phrase codes and their meanings.
- S-Phrases (Safety Phrases)
-
List
of Safety Phrase codes and their meanings.
- EEC Number
-
EEC Label
- Small Label Exemptions
- Other Exemptions
- Application
- Minimum Label Sizes
- Implementation
Languages
Outer Packages Containing One or More Inner Packages
- Exemptions
The In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Directive (IVDMDD),
currently in draft, establishes how in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices will be put
on the market and in service. An In vitro diagnostic device is any medical device
intended for use in vitro, (i.e., for the testing of samples derived from
the human body). The in force date of the (IVDMDD) is January 1, 1997.
A reagent, reagent product, calibrator, control, kit,
instrument, equipment, or system, that is used alone or in combination. The draft includes
accessories intended by the manufacturer to be used with the IVD device to achieve its
intended purpose. The directive also applies to IVDs intended for professional or home use
(i.e., for self-testing).
The packaging that protects the content(s) from
contamination, and/or damage. Some examples are:
- sealed vial
- ampoule
- foiled pouch
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The label of an immediate container should include the
following information in a legible format:
- 13.4 (b) Product name
- 13.4 (a) Supplier name
- 13.4 (d) Lot number
- 13.4 (e) Expiration date
- 13.4 (b) Contents
- 13.4 (b) Identification of the device and intended use
- 13.4.(g) In vitro use statement
- 13.4 (k) Self-testing declaration
- 13.4 (j) Caution statements
- 13.4 (h) Storage information
- 13.4 (c) Sterile device marking (if applicable)
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If the device is too small for a label that is large enough
to fit the minimum required information, or if the label would interfere with the
readability of the results, the information may be reduced to:
- 13.4 (b) Product name
- 13.4 (a) Supplier name
- 13.4 (d) Lot number
- 13.4 (e) Expiration date
- 13.4 (j) Cautionary symbols (when applicable)
- 13.4 (c) Indication of microbiological state (where
applicable).
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The packaging that encloses the immediate container(s) to
creating a single unit or an assembly of similar or dissimilar components.
The label of the outer container should include the following
information in a legible format:
- 13.4 (b) Product name
- 13.4 (a) Supplier name
- 13.4 (d) Lot number
- 13.4 (e) Expiration date
- 13.4 (b) Contents
- 13.4 (b) Identity of the device and intended use
- 13.4.(g) In vitro use statement
- 13.4 (k) Self-testing declaration
- 13.4 (j) Caution statements
- 13.4 (h) Storage information
- 13.4 (I) Special operating instructions
- 13.4 (c) Sterile device marking (if applicable)
- 13.4 (f) Markings for investigational use
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The draft IVDMDD requires that each device be accompanied by
the information that is necessary for its proper use.
The user instructions must be on the device itself or on the
packaging of each unit, or, when appropriate, on the sales packaging. If full labeling of
each unit is not practical, the instructions for use must be displayed on the packaging
and/or the instruction sheet provided with one or more devices.
Devices where, due to their training and experience, their
users would be familiar with its proper use.
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In vitro diagnostic reagents must be provided with
instructions for use. These are commonly supplied as a package insert. In special cases,
they may be included in the outer container or in an operation manual (CEN, EN 375, p.8).
The information is intended to ensure the proper and safe operation of the reagent.
Reagents intended for self-testing, should include an explanation of the measurement of
results and the follow-up action required.
13.7 (a) The instructions for use must contain all applicable
information required on the outer container, except:
- Lot number
- Expiration date
As needed, some of the information contained in the label may
be explained in greater detail in the instruction sheet.
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- 13.7 (d) Application and intended use
- 13.7 (e) Composition of reagents
- 13.7 (h)(1) Methodology
- 13.7 (h) (4) Performance characteristics, limitations and
possible errors
- 13.7 (h) (3) Reagent preparation
- 13.7 (c) Storage and shelf life after opening
- 13.7 (f) Specimen collection and preparation
- 13.7 (g) Text procedure
- 13.7 (i), 13.7 (k) (1), 13.7 (k) (3) and 13.7 (l) Reading and
explanation of results
- 13.7 (t) (1) and 13.7 (t3) Follow up action to be taken
- 13.7 (s) Precautions and warnings
- 13.7 (o) Sterile packaging
- 13.7 (10.3) and 13.7 (q) Radiation-emitting products
- 13.7 (h), 13.7 (i), 13.7 (k) and 13.7 (l) Bibliography
- 13.7 (t) (u) Date of issue of the instructions for use
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In vitro diagnostic instruments also must be accompanied by
instructions for use. Usually, these are supplied in the form of a user manual or
operating instructions including the information necessary for the proper and safe
operation, maintenance and basic troubleshooting of the instrument. The instructions of
self-testing devices should be written in terms that are easy-to-understand.
- 13.7 (e) Additional materials
- 13.7 (h) (1) Methodology
- 13.7 (h) (2) and 13.7 (h) (4) Performance characteristics,
limitations and possible errors
- 13.7 (f) Specimens
- 13.7 (g) Test procedure
- 13.7 (i) and 13.7 (l) Reading and explanation of results
- 13.t (t) (1) and 13.7 (t) (3) Follow-up action (self-testing
products)
- 13.7 (k) Internal quality control, accuracy
- 13.7 (h), 13.7 (i), 13.7(k) 13.7(1) Bibliography
- 13.7 (u) Date of issue of the instructions for use
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IVDs may include substances that are hazardous and regulated
by the Classification, Packaging and Labeling of Dangerous Substances Directive (DSD).
Such devices must be labeled clearly an indelibly with the following information:
The package label must include:
- Name of the hazardous substance
- Name, full address and telephone number of the person
established in the EU who is responsible for placing the substance on the market.
The label of the inner and outer contained must contain the
appropriate hazardous symbol and signal word. The symbol must be in printed in black on an
orange-yellow background. For dangerous substances not yet listed in Annex I of the DSD,
refer to the rules in Annex VI of the DSD.
* Symbols are for reference only and not official. Please
refer to Directives 91/325/EEC and 92/32/EEC.
**For official translations of signal words, Refer to Annex II
of 91/325/EEC.
***EU Language
Codes
Click here for a listing of language
abbreviations used by the European Union.
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Then the requirement to display:
This symbol:
|
makes this optional:
|
and this optional:
|
Toxic |
Harmful |
Corrosive |
Corrosive |
Harmful |
|
Explosive |
Flammable |
|
* Unless otherwise indicated in Annex I of the
DSD
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Indicate the risks from the danger involved in using the
substance. Refer to:
- Annex III of the DSD for the wording of R-phrases.
- Annex I of the DSD for the specific R-phrase corresponding to
a specific substance.
- Annex VI of the DSD for for the
specific R-phrase corresponding to a specific substance.
List of Risk Phrase codes and their meanings
Under ED legislation,
data sheets contain codes for certain risk phrases, such as R1, R12,
etc. These phrases are
used in the classification, packaging, labeling and provision of
information on dangerous substances.
Click here to
download PDF file listing the
meanings of risk phrases.

Indications for the safe use(s) of the substance. Refer to:
- Annex III of the DSD for the
wording of S-Phrases
- Annex VI of the DSD for the
S-phrases for dangerous substances that are not listed yet in
Annex I of the DSD.
Under EC legislation, data sheets contain codes for certain safety phrases,
such as S1, S17 etc.
Click
here to download PDF file
listing the meanings of safety phrase codes.

EC Number
The number that the European Commission (EEC) assigns to each
specific substance is to be included in the label.
EEC Label
- The label of a product that contains a
substance listed in Annex I of the DSD must include the statement "EEC Label".
If the substance is classified as:
- Irritant
- Highly flammable
- Flammable
- Oxidizing
and the package contains 125 mL (milliliters) or less, then
the R- and S-Phrases do not have to be included on the label.
If the harmful substance is not retailed to the general
public, then the label does not have to include R- and S-phrases.
Note:
Nontoxic>and non-harmful statements must not
be included in the label of a product that contains a substance subject to the DSD.
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A label containing the information required by DSD article 23
must be attached to one of more surfaces of the package, so the information may be read
horizontally when the package is resting in its normal position.
| Package Capacity (liters)
3
3 < Capacity 50
50 < Capacity 500
> 500 |
Minimum Label Dimension (millimeters)
52 x 74
74 x 105
105 x 148
148 x 210 |
| |
| **Source: COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 92/32/EEC of
30 April 1992 amending for the seventh time Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of
the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification,
packaging and labeling of dangerous substances, Article 24(1). |
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Each symbol must cover a minimum of one tenth of the
label surface, but cannot be smaller than 2 cm2. The label must be attached to
the package containing the substance. These measurements apply only to the display of the
information required by the DSD and any other necessary health and safety statements. The
required information may be printed on a label that is attached to the package or directly
on the container.
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Member states may require that the labeling specified in the
DSD be printed in their
official language or languages
before
the product is allowed on the market.
The requirements are satisfied if the outer package complies
with the labeling specification of international rules on the transport of dangerous
substances. The label must also include all the information required by Article 23 of the
DSD, except the "danger symbol".
Member States may permit that :
- the labeling required by Article 23 be applied in another
manner to packages that are too small or otherwise not suitable for labeling in accordance
with Article 24 (1) and (2).
- the package containing dangerous substances classified as explosive,
very toxic, or toxic be labeled in another suitable manner, when it contains small
quantities of the hazardous substance, such that it does not present a danger to humans.
- the package containing dangerous substances that are not
classified as explosive, very toxic, or toxic be labeled or unlabeled or that it be
labeled in another suitable manner when the quantities of the hazardous substance are
small, such that there is no danger to humans.
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Reference Source: International Labeling Requirements for
Medical Devices, Medical Equipment, and Diagnostic Products - Charles B. Sidebottom,
Interpharm Press, Inc., 1995
Useful Related Links:
CE Dictionary
An overview of terminology frequently used during Conformity
Assessment Procedure(s) provided by
Medical Device Safety Service (MDSS).
Copyright 1996 - 2008 InterSol, Inc. All Rights
Reserved
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