What does ISO 13485 certification mean? How important is it to medical device manufacturing and its quality? How can it help your organization? We'll provide some answers to these common questions throughout this article, but let's start from the beginning.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed standards for various industries, such as general manufacturing, food safety, transportation, pharmaceuticals, etc. These standards ensure that companies comply with certain requirements, regulations, and quality guidelines. One of these such standards is ISO 13485, which focuses specifically on medical devices.
Medical devices are very complex and require strict regulatory compliance. Companies who manufacture them must follow specific guidelines to ensure their products meet high standards of quality. This standard helps manufacturers to achieve this goal.
Within the ISO 13485 standard sections and clauses exist that address the aspects of design, development, production, inspection, testing, packaging, labeling, installation, servicing, repair, maintenance, disposal, and documentation of medical devices. The purpose of the ISO 13485 standard is to help manufacturers produce safe, reliable, and effective medical devices.
How does ISO 13485 certification help medical device manufacturers?
By following the guidelines in this standard, manufacturers can:
• Ensure products are manufactured according to industry-accepted best practices.If you want to sell your products in other countries, then you need to be compliant with local laws and regulations. For example, most European countries require medical device manufacturers to obtain CE marking before they can market their products within those regions.
In addition, many states require medical device manufacturers to register their products with state agencies. Therefore, having an ISO 13485 certification can help you stay ahead of the game when marketing your products worldwide.
What happens when you don't have an ISO 13485 certification?
Without an ISO 13485 certification, you won't be able to export your products outside of the United States. Additionally, the FDA requires that all medical devices sold in the U.S. carry an ISO 13485 certification. For example, if you're selling your products through Amazon.com, you'll need to get an ISO 13485 certificate to be listed as "Amazon Approved". If you're not listed under this category, customers will see a message stating, "This seller has not yet been approved by Amazon."
Manufacturing medical devices involves a lot of risks. You may face issues like:
• Product recalls because of a defect or malfunctioning partThese risks can harm your reputation, your business, and your bottom line.
To start the process of obtaining an ISO 13485 certification for your company, simply reach out to us by requesting a quote, or contacting us to help answer any lingering questions you may have. Smithers offers an ISO 13485 certification process designed to carefully assess your QMS. Our "No Surprises" approach ensures honest and consistent communications from the start. We'll get to know your business and use that knowledge to facilitate your preparation for your ISO 13485 audit.
