Saudi Arabia Medical Device Regulations - Overview

SFDA has issued various guidelines for the regulations of medical devices. if you want to place product in Saudi Arabia you need approval from MDMA I.e Medical Device Market Authorization.

This is an electronic system and the aim of the system is to authorize medical devices once they comply with MDIR, which means Medical Device Interim Regulations

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Medical Devices Registration Process in Saudi Arabia

We can summarize the medical device registration and approval process in the following few steps: 

  1. Appoint a Saudi authorized representative (AR) 
    Through a knowledgeable AR, legal manufacturers can have advanced regulatory support with the ever-changing SFDA regulations. Even if there was an appointed AR before, manufacturers can transfer to a new AR and transfer all old MDMA approvals. Contact us for more details. 
  2. Prepare the technical file for MDMA submission 
    Companies must do a thorough gap analysis on the available file against the SFDA requirements in order to be ready for MDMA submission. Identifying the gaps is essential for determining the required research, reports, or post-approval commitments, such as PMCF in Saudi Arabia. Rejecting an application costs time and faces substantial SFDA expenses. 
  3. MDMA Submission 
    The SFDA will not accept a registration file that has clearly been submitted by a non-specialized regulatory professional. The SFDA’s reply will not specify the gaps and what needs to be done; instead, the applicant will be asked to resubmit according to the applicable rules. If it was properly prepared, however, the applicant should expect technical inquiries similar to those received from notified bodies. The applicants will be given a limited number of waivers from responding to questions as well as a time frame. 
  4. MDMA Approval 
    Once granted by SFDA, the owner of the license, which is always the legal manufacturer, can ship the goods to Saudi with all necessary SFDA requirements for shipment clearance at Saudi ports. 

SFDA Medical device registration and approval process:

        Following are the Steps to register your medical devices:

       1. Medical Device Classification:

 

SFDA device classification 

Risk class

MDR rule 

A

low

I

A-sterile 

Low-medium 

Is

A-Measuring functions 

Low –medium 

Im

A-Reusable surgical instrument 

Low-Medium 

Ir

B

Low-Medium

IIa 

C

Medium -High

IIb

D

High 

III

The SFDA is also adopting the European medical device regulation IVDR:

 

SFDA medical devices class

Risk class

Classification rule 

A

Low 

A

B

Moderate 

B

C

Moderate-High

C

D

High

D

  1. Appointment of AR If Needed

Authorized representatives (AR) need to be registered and approved by SFDA. The legal manufacturers have two options one is to assign their local distributor and second one is to assign a consulting office who can provide more power and freedom to the legal manufacturer in market. Low risk medical devices don’t need AR.

  1. Apply to MDMA and Medical device registration:

Medical device manufacturers need to register their device with SFDA and obtain a certificate from MDMA (Medical Device Market Authorization) as per the MDIR (Medical Device Interim Regulations) Saudi Arabia. MDMA is needed for high-risk devices whereas low risk devices (non- sterile, non-measuring) don’t require prolonged MDMA.

How we help you with regulatory service:

If you are a new manufacturer or already active commercially, we Team of Operon Strategist ensure compliance and efficient regulatory support through 

  •  Providing Assistance in regulatory processes
  •  Providing Guidance for QMS establishments
  • We help our clients in design and development & GAP analysis for products and companies.
  • We create technical files for submission.
  • Provide proper response and submission to SFDA inquiries
  • Follow up till regulatory approval. 
 

We also provide medical device consultation for IndiaSouth AfricaEgypt, the USA, the UKCosta RicaOman, and Iran. For free consultation Contact us now.