Medical device CE marking

MDCG revised guidance 2020-3

2023-05

The MDCG revised guidance 2020-3 on significant changes regarding the transitional provision under Article 120 of the MDR with regard to devices covered by certificates according to MDD or AIMDD.

Revision 1:
Adjustments all over the document to align it to Regulation (EU) 2023/607 and guidance MDCG 2022-2

Article 120(3) of the Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR), last amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/607, states that devices which continue to comply with the AIMDD or MDD may be placed on the market or put into service until 31 December 20271 or 31 December 20282, as applicable, provided the conditions set out in Article 120(3c) MDR are fulfilled.

These devices are called ‘legacy devices’ and in line with MDCG Guidance Document 2021-253, ‘legacy devices’ should be understood as devices, which, in accordance with the MDR’s transitional provisions, are placed on the market after the MDR’s date of application (i.e. 26 May 2021) if certain conditions are fulfilled. Those devices can be:

  • devices which are class I devices under Directive 93/42/EEC (MDD), for which an EC declaration of conformity was drawn up prior to 26 May 2021 and for which the conformity assessment procedure under the MDR requires the involvement of a notified body;
  • devices covered by a valid EC certificate issued in accordance with Directive 90/385/EEC (AIMDD) or the MDD prior to 26 May 2021.4

The conditions are set out in Article 120(3c) MDR and include, among others, that legacy devices must continue to comply with the AIMDD/MDD5, as applicable, and that there are no significant changes in the design or intended purpose of the device6. Therefore, it is important for manufacturers and notified bodies to have a clear understanding as to what changes to design or intended purpose would be considered ‘significant’.

The updated guidance can be downloaded from our library

Source: European Commission