Global Harmonization Task Force, Study Groups 1, 2, 4, and 5; New Proposed and Final Documents; Availability, 62269-62271 [E6-17727]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 24, 2006 / Notices
rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1
that it has received a petition requesting
exemption from the premarket
notification requirements for cranial
orthosis type devices. These devices are
used to improve cranial symmetry in
neonates. FDA is publishing this notice
in order to obtain comments in
accordance with procedures established
by the Food and Drug Administration
Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA).
DATES: Submit written or electronic
comments by November 24, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
to the Division of Dockets Management
(HFA–305), Food and Drug
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm.
1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit
electronic comments to https://
www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.
Identify comments with the docket
number found in brackets in the
heading of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Heather S. Rosecrans, Center for Devices
and Radiological Health (HFZ–404),
Food and Drug Administration, 9200
Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850,
301–594–1190.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Statutory Background
Under section 513 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act)
(21 U.S.C. 360c), FDA must classify
devices into one of three regulatory
classes: Class I, class II, or class III. FDA
classification of a device is determined
by the amount of regulation necessary to
provide a reasonable assurance of safety
and effectiveness. Under the Medical
Device Amendments of 1976 (the 1976
amendments) (Public Law 94–295)), as
amended by the Safe Medical Devices
Act of 1990 (the SMDA) (Public Law
101–629)), devices are to be classified
into class I (general controls) if there is
information showing that the general
controls of the act are sufficient to
assure safety and effectiveness; into
class II (special controls), if general
controls, by themselves, are insufficient
to provide reasonable assurance of
safety and effectiveness, but there is
sufficient information to establish
special controls to provide such
assurance; and into class III (premarket
approval), if there is insufficient
information to support classifying a
device into class I or class II and the
device is a life sustaining or life
supporting device or is for a use which
is of substantial importance in
preventing impairment of human health
or presents a potential unreasonable risk
of illness or injury.
Most generic types of devices that
were on the market before the date of
the 1976 amendments (May 28, 1976)
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(generally referred to as preamendments
devices) have been classified by FDA
under the procedures set forth in section
513(c) and (d) of the act through the
issuance of classification regulations
into one of these three regulatory
classes. Devices introduced into
interstate commerce for the first time on
or after May 28, 1976 (generally referred
to as postamendments devices) are
classified through the premarket
notification process under section
510(k) of the act (21 U.S.C. 360(k)).
Section 510(k) of the act and the
implementing regulations, 21 CFR part
807, require persons who intend to
market a new device to submit a
premarket notification report (510(k))
containing information that allows FDA
to determine whether the new device is
‘‘substantially equivalent’’ within the
meaning of section 513(i) of the act to
a legally marketed device that does not
require premarket approval.
On November 21, 1997, the President
signed into law FDAMA (Public Law
105–115). Section 206 of FDAMA, in
part, added a new section 510(m) to the
act. Section 510(m)(1) of the act requires
FDA, within 60 days after enactment of
FDAMA, to publish in the Federal
Register a list of each type of class II
device that does not require a report
under section 510(k) of the act to
provide reasonable assurance of safety
and effectiveness. Section 510(m) of the
act further provides that a 510(k) will no
longer be required for these devices
upon the date of publication of the list
in the Federal Register. FDA published
that list in the Federal Register of
January 21, 1998 (63 FR 3142).
Section 510(m)(2) of the act provides
that, 1 day after date of publication of
the list under section 510(m)(1), FDA
may exempt a device on its own
initiative or upon petition of an
interested person, if FDA determines
that a 510(k) is not necessary to provide
reasonable assurance of the safety and
effectiveness of the device. This section
requires FDA to publish in the Federal
Register a notice of intent to exempt a
device, or of the petition, and to provide
a 30-day comment period. Within 120
days of publication of this document,
FDA must publish in the Federal
Register its final determination
regarding the exemption of the device
that was the subject of the notice. If FDA
fails to respond to a petition under this
section within 180 days of receiving it,
the petition shall be deemed granted.
II. Criteria for Exemption
There are a number of factors FDA
may consider to determine whether a
510(k) is necessary to provide
reasonable assurance of the safety and
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62269
effectiveness of a class II device. These
factors are discussed in the guidance the
agency issued on February 19, 1998,
entitled ‘‘Procedures for Class II Device
Exemptions from Premarket
Notification, Guidance for Industry and
CDRH Staff.’’ That guidance can be
obtained through the World Wide Web
at https://www.fda.gov/cdrh/modact/
exemii.pdf or by sending a fax request
to 240–276–3151 to receive a hard copy.
Specify ‘‘159’’ when prompted for the
document shelf number.
III. Proposed Class II Device
Exemptions
FDA has received the following
petition requesting an exemption from
premarket notification for a class II
device: Catherine Jeakle Hill, on behalf
of the American Association of
Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of
Neurological Surgeons (AANS/CNS),
and the AANS/CNS Section on
Pediatrics for cranial orthosis type
devices, classified under 21 CFR
882.5970.
IV. Comments
Interested persons may submit to the
Division of Dockets Management (see
ADDRESSES), written or electronic
comments regarding this document on
or before November 24, 2006. Submit a
single copy of electronic comments or
submit two paper copies of any mailed
comments, except that individuals may
submit one copy. Comments are to be
identified with the docket number
found in brackets in the heading of this
document. Comments received may be
seen in the Division of Dockets
Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
Dated: October 13, 2006.
Linda S. Kahan,
Deputy Director, Center for Device and
Radiological Health.
[FR Doc. E6–17729 Filed 10–23–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160–01–S
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 2006D–0400]
Global Harmonization Task Force,
Study Groups 1, 2, 4, and 5; New
Proposed and Final Documents;
Availability
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is announcing the
E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM
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rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1
62270
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 24, 2006 / Notices
availability of several proposed and
final documents that have been
prepared by Study Groups 1, 2, 4, and
5 of the Global Harmonization Task
Force (GHTF). These documents
represent a harmonized proposal and
recommendation from the GHTF Study
Groups that may be used by
governments developing and updating
their regulatory requirements for
medical devices. These documents are
intended to provide information only
and do not describe current regulatory
requirements; elements of these
documents may not be consistent with
current U.S. regulatory requirements.
FDA is requesting comments on these
documents.
DATES: Submit written or electronic
comments on any of the proposed
documents by January 22, 2007. After
January 22, 2007, written comments or
electronic comments may be submitted
at any time to the contact persons listed
in this document.
ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for
single copies of the guidance documents
to the Division of Small Manufacturers,
International, and Consumer Assistance
(HFZ–220), Center for Devices and
Radiological Health, Food and Drug
Administration, 1350 Piccard Dr.,
Rockville, MD 20850. Send one selfaddressed adhesive label to assist that
office in processing your request, or fax
your request to 240–276–3151. See the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for
information on electronic access to the
guidance.
Submit written comments concerning
the guidances to the Division of Dockets
Management (HFA–305), Food and Drug
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm.
1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit
electronic comments to https://
www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.
Identify comments with the docket
number found in brackets in the
heading of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For Study Group 1: Ginette Y.
Michaud, Chairperson, GHTF,
Study Group 1, Office of Device
Evaluation, Center for Devices and
Radiological Health (HFZ–480),
Food and Drug Administration,
9200 Corporate Blvd., Rockville,
MD 20850, 301–443–8913, ext.143.
For Study Group 2: Mary Brady,
GHTF, Study Group 2, Office of
Surveillance and Biometrics, Center
for Devices and Radiological Health
(HFZ–530), Food and Drug
Administration, 1350 Piccard
Dr.,Rockville, MD 20850, 301–594–
2102.
For Study Group 4: Jacqueline Welch,
GHTF, Study Group 4, Office of
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14:25 Oct 23, 2006
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Compliance, Center for Devices and
Radiological Health (HFZ–320),
Food and Drug Administration,
2094 Gaither Rd., Rockville, MD
20850, 240–276–0115.
For Study Group 5: Herbert Lerner,
GHTF, Study Group 5, Office of
Device Evaluation, Center for
Devices and Radiological Health
(HFZ–410), Food and Drug
Administration, 9200 Corporate
Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, 301–
594–3090, ext. 207.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
FDA has participated in a number of
activities to promote the international
harmonization of regulatory
requirements. In September 1992, a
meeting was held in Nice, France by
senior regulatory officials to evaluate
international harmonization. This
meeting led to the development of the
organization now known as the GHTF to
facilitate harmonization. Subsequent
meetings have been held on a yearly
basis in various locations throughout
the world.
The GHTF is a voluntary group of
representatives from national medical
device regulatory authorities and the
regulated industry. Since its inception,
the GHTF has been comprised of
representatives from five founding
members grouped into three
geographical areas: Europe, Asia-Pacific,
and North America, each of which
actively regulates medical devices using
their own unique regulatory framework.
The objective of the GHTF is to
encourage convergence at the global
level of regulatory systems of medical
devices to facilitate trade while
preserving the right of participating
members to address the protection of
public health by regulatory means
considered most suitable. One of the
ways this objective is achieved is by
identifying and developing areas of
international cooperation to facilitate
progressive reduction of technical and
regulatory differences in systems
established to regulate medical devices.
In an effort to accomplish these
objectives, the GHTF formed five study
groups to draft documents and carry on
other activities designed to facilitate
global harmonization. This notice is a
result of documents that have been
developed by four of the Study Groups
(1, 2, 4, and 5).
Study Group 1 was initially tasked
with the responsibility of identifying
differences between various regulatory
systems. In 1995, the group was asked
to propose areas of potential
harmonization for premarket device
regulations and possible guidance that
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could help lead to harmonization. As a
result of its efforts, this group has
developed final documents SG1/
N15:2006 and SG1/N40:2006.
SG1/N15:2006 (final document)
entitled ‘‘Principles of Medical Devices
Classification’’ assists a manufacturer to
assign its medical device to an
appropriate risk class using a set of
harmonized principles. This document
applies to products that have a medical
purpose, as described in GHTF
document SG1/N29R16:2005 entitled
‘‘Information Document Concerning the
Definition of the Term ’Medical
Device,’’’ except for those devices used
for the in vitro examination of
specimens derived from the human
body.
SG1/N40:2006 (final document)
entitled ‘‘Principles of Conformity
Assessment for Medical Devices’’
describes the evidence and procedures
that may be used by a manufacturer to
demonstrate that a medical device is
safe and performs as intended by the
manufacturer, and the process by which
a Regulatory Authority, or Conformity
Assessment Body, may confirm that the
procedures are properly applied by the
manufacturer. This document applies to
all products that fall within the
definition of a medical device, as
described in GHTF document SG1/
N29R16:2005 entitled ‘‘Information
Document Concerning the Definition of
the Term ’Medical Device,’’’ except for
those devices used for the in vitro
examination of specimens derived from
the human body.
Study Group 2 was initially tasked
with the responsibility of developing
guidance documents that will be used
for the exchange of adverse event
reports. As a result of its efforts, this
group has developed proposed
document SG2(PD)/N87R7:2006, and
final documents SG2/N57R8:2006 and
SG2/N79R8:2006.
SG2(PD)/N87R7:2006 (proposed
document) entitled ‘‘An XML Schema
for the Electronic Transfer of Adverse
Event Data Between Manufacturers,
Authorized Representatives and
National Competent Authorities (Based
on GHTF SG2 N32v5.2)’’ provides
details of an electronic format for
manufacturers and National Competent
Authorities (NCA) to use when
exchanging adverse incident data
electronically.
SG2/N57R8:2006 (final document)
entitled ‘‘Medical Devices: Post Market
Surveillance: Content of Field Safety
Notices’’ identifies elements that should
be included in safety related
notifications issued by the medical
device manufacturer. SG2/N79R8:2006
(final document) entitled ‘‘Medical
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 24, 2006 / Notices
Devices Post Market Surveillance:
National Competent Authority Report
Exchange Criteria and Report Form’’
provides guidance, procedures, and
forms for the exchange of reports
concerning the safety of medical devices
between NCA and other participants of
the GHTF National Competent
Authority Report (NCAR) exchange
program.
Study Group 4 was initially tasked
with the responsibility of developing
guidance documents on quality systems
auditing practices. As a result of its
efforts, this group has developed
document SG4/N30R20:2006. SG4/
N30R20:2006 (final document) entitled
‘‘Guidelines for Regulatory Auditing of
Quality Management Systems of
Medical Device Manufacturers—Part 2:
Regulatory Auditing Strategy,’’ which is
intended to assist medical device
regulators and organizations conducting
quality management system audits to
apply a process system approach to
quality management system
requirements (e.g. ISO 13485:2003 and
21 CFR part 820).
Study Group 5 was initially tasked
with the responsibility of developing
guidance documents on the content and
documentation of clinical
investigations. As a result of its efforts,
this group has developed documents
SG5(PD)N1R7:2006 and SG5(PD)N2R7.
SG5(PD)N1R7:2006 (proposed
document) entitled ‘‘Clinical
Evidence—Key Definitions and
Concepts’’ introduces the concepts of
clinical evaluation and clinical
evidence, and examines the relationship
between clinical investigation, clinical
data, clinical evaluation, and clinical
evidence. SG5(PD)N2R7:2006 (proposed
document) entitled ‘‘Clinical
Evaluation’’ provides guidance on how
to conduct the clinical evaluation of a
medical device as part of the conformity
assessment procedure prior to placing a
medical device on the market, as well as
to support its ongoing marketing.
rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1
II. Significance of Guidance
These documents represent
recommendations from the GHTF study
groups and do not describe regulatory
requirements. FDA is making these
documents available so that industry
and other members of the public may
express their views and opinions.
III. Electronic Access
Persons interested in obtaining a copy
of the guidances may also do so by
using the Internet. The Center for
Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH)
maintains an entry on the Internet for
easy access to information including
text, graphics, and files that may be
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14:25 Oct 23, 2006
Jkt 211001
downloaded to a personal computer
with Internet access. Updated on a
regular basis, the CDRH home page
includes device safety alerts, Federal
Register reprints, information on
premarket submissions (including lists
of approved applications and
manufacturers’ addresses), small
manufacturer’s assistance, information
on video conferencing and electronic
submissions, Mammography Matters,
and other device-oriented information.
Information on the GHTF may be
accessed at https://www.ghtf.org. The
CDRH Web site may be accessed at
https://www.fda.gov/cdrh.
IV. Comments
Interested persons may submit to the
Division of Dockets Management (see
ADDRESSES), written or electronic
comments regarding these documents.
Submit a single copy of electronic
comments or two paper copies of any
mailed comments, except that
individuals may submit one paper copy.
Comments are to be identified with the
docket number found in brackets in the
heading of this document. Comments
received may be seen in the Division of
Dockets Management between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Dated: October 16, 2006.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. E6–17727 Filed 10–23–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160–01–S
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 2006D–0353]
Draft Guidance for Industry and Food
and Drug Administration Staff; Total
Product Life Cycle for Portable
Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring
Systems; Availability
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is announcing the
availability of the draft guidance
entitled ‘‘Draft Guidance for Industry
and FDA Staff: Total Product Life Cycle
for Portable Invasive Blood Glucose
Monitoring Systems.’’ This draft
guidance provides FDA’s
recommendations concerning portable
invasive blood glucose monitoring
systems (BGMSs).
DATES: Submit written or electronic
comments on this draft guidance by
January 22, 2007.
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ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for
single copies of the draft guidance
document entitled ‘‘Draft Guidance for
Industry and FDA Staff; Total Product
Life Cycle for Portable Invasive Blood
Glucose Monitoring Systems ’’ to the
Division of Small Manufacturers,
International, and Consumer Assistance
(HFZ–220), Center for Devices and
Radiological Health, Food and Drug
Administration, 1350 Piccard Dr.,
Rockville, MD, 20850. Send one selfaddressed adhesive label to assist that
office in processing your request, or fax
your request to 240–276–3151. See the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for
information on electronic access to the
guidance.
Submit written comments concerning
this draft guidance to the Division of
Dockets Management (HFA–305), Food
and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers
Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
Submit electronic comments to https://
www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.
Identify comments with the docket
number found in brackets in the
heading of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carol Benson, Center for Devices and
Radiological Health (HFZ–440), Food
and Drug Administration, 2098 Gaither
Road, Rockville, MD 20850, 240–276–
0490 x117.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Portable invasive BGMS devices were
introduced in the late 1970s and are
considered one of the most important
medical advances in diabetes care. This
draft guidance document provides the
FDA’s recommendations concerning
BGMS devices. In addition to
recommendations for preparation of
premarket notifications (510(k)), the
draft guidance document discusses
features of device design and risk
management, including those relating to
human factors. The draft guidance
document, when finalized, is intended
to complement International Standards
Organization standards on risk
management for medical devices and
BGMSs. The scope of this draft guidance
document includes BGMS devices, used
in the quantitative measurement of
glucose in blood by lay users at home
or by professionals in hospitals and
other point of care settings, to manage
carbohydrate metabolism disorders
including diabetes mellitus. When this
guidance document is finalized, FDA
expects that this guidance document
will enable FDA to make more efficient
and better-informed decisions based on
more consistent data, and better
contribute to the marketing of more
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62269-62271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17727]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 2006D-0400]
Global Harmonization Task Force, Study Groups 1, 2, 4, and 5; New
Proposed and Final Documents; Availability
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the
[[Page 62270]]
availability of several proposed and final documents that have been
prepared by Study Groups 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the Global Harmonization
Task Force (GHTF). These documents represent a harmonized proposal and
recommendation from the GHTF Study Groups that may be used by
governments developing and updating their regulatory requirements for
medical devices. These documents are intended to provide information
only and do not describe current regulatory requirements; elements of
these documents may not be consistent with current U.S. regulatory
requirements. FDA is requesting comments on these documents.
DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on any of the proposed
documents by January 22, 2007. After January 22, 2007, written comments
or electronic comments may be submitted at any time to the contact
persons listed in this document.
ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the guidance
documents to the Division of Small Manufacturers, International, and
Consumer Assistance (HFZ-220), Center for Devices and Radiological
Health, Food and Drug Administration, 1350 Piccard Dr., Rockville, MD
20850. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that office in
processing your request, or fax your request to 240-276-3151. See the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for information on electronic access
to the guidance.
Submit written comments concerning the guidances to the Division of
Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630
Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments
to https://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments. Identify comments with the
docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For Study Group 1: Ginette Y. Michaud, Chairperson, GHTF, Study
Group 1, Office of Device Evaluation, Center for Devices and
Radiological Health (HFZ-480), Food and Drug Administration, 9200
Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, 301-443-8913, ext.143.
For Study Group 2: Mary Brady, GHTF, Study Group 2, Office of
Surveillance and Biometrics, Center for Devices and Radiological Health
(HFZ-530), Food and Drug Administration, 1350 Piccard Dr.,Rockville, MD
20850, 301-594-2102.
For Study Group 4: Jacqueline Welch, GHTF, Study Group 4, Office of
Compliance, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (HFZ-320), Food
and Drug Administration, 2094 Gaither Rd., Rockville, MD 20850, 240-
276-0115.
For Study Group 5: Herbert Lerner, GHTF, Study Group 5, Office of
Device Evaluation, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (HFZ-
410), Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD
20850, 301-594-3090, ext. 207.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
FDA has participated in a number of activities to promote the
international harmonization of regulatory requirements. In September
1992, a meeting was held in Nice, France by senior regulatory officials
to evaluate international harmonization. This meeting led to the
development of the organization now known as the GHTF to facilitate
harmonization. Subsequent meetings have been held on a yearly basis in
various locations throughout the world.
The GHTF is a voluntary group of representatives from national
medical device regulatory authorities and the regulated industry. Since
its inception, the GHTF has been comprised of representatives from five
founding members grouped into three geographical areas: Europe, Asia-
Pacific, and North America, each of which actively regulates medical
devices using their own unique regulatory framework.
The objective of the GHTF is to encourage convergence at the global
level of regulatory systems of medical devices to facilitate trade
while preserving the right of participating members to address the
protection of public health by regulatory means considered most
suitable. One of the ways this objective is achieved is by identifying
and developing areas of international cooperation to facilitate
progressive reduction of technical and regulatory differences in
systems established to regulate medical devices. In an effort to
accomplish these objectives, the GHTF formed five study groups to draft
documents and carry on other activities designed to facilitate global
harmonization. This notice is a result of documents that have been
developed by four of the Study Groups (1, 2, 4, and 5).
Study Group 1 was initially tasked with the responsibility of
identifying differences between various regulatory systems. In 1995,
the group was asked to propose areas of potential harmonization for
premarket device regulations and possible guidance that could help lead
to harmonization. As a result of its efforts, this group has developed
final documents SG1/N15:2006 and SG1/N40:2006.
SG1/N15:2006 (final document) entitled ``Principles of Medical
Devices Classification'' assists a manufacturer to assign its medical
device to an appropriate risk class using a set of harmonized
principles. This document applies to products that have a medical
purpose, as described in GHTF document SG1/N29R16:2005 entitled
``Information Document Concerning the Definition of the Term 'Medical
Device,''' except for those devices used for the in vitro examination
of specimens derived from the human body.
SG1/N40:2006 (final document) entitled ``Principles of Conformity
Assessment for Medical Devices'' describes the evidence and procedures
that may be used by a manufacturer to demonstrate that a medical device
is safe and performs as intended by the manufacturer, and the process
by which a Regulatory Authority, or Conformity Assessment Body, may
confirm that the procedures are properly applied by the manufacturer.
This document applies to all products that fall within the definition
of a medical device, as described in GHTF document SG1/N29R16:2005
entitled ``Information Document Concerning the Definition of the Term
'Medical Device,''' except for those devices used for the in vitro
examination of specimens derived from the human body.
Study Group 2 was initially tasked with the responsibility of
developing guidance documents that will be used for the exchange of
adverse event reports. As a result of its efforts, this group has
developed proposed document SG2(PD)/N87R7:2006, and final documents
SG2/N57R8:2006 and SG2/N79R8:2006.
SG2(PD)/N87R7:2006 (proposed document) entitled ``An XML Schema for
the Electronic Transfer of Adverse Event Data Between Manufacturers,
Authorized Representatives and National Competent Authorities (Based on
GHTF SG2 N32v5.2)'' provides details of an electronic format for
manufacturers and National Competent Authorities (NCA) to use when
exchanging adverse incident data electronically.
SG2/N57R8:2006 (final document) entitled ``Medical Devices: Post
Market Surveillance: Content of Field Safety Notices'' identifies
elements that should be included in safety related notifications issued
by the medical device manufacturer. SG2/N79R8:2006 (final document)
entitled ``Medical
[[Page 62271]]
Devices Post Market Surveillance: National Competent Authority Report
Exchange Criteria and Report Form'' provides guidance, procedures, and
forms for the exchange of reports concerning the safety of medical
devices between NCA and other participants of the GHTF National
Competent Authority Report (NCAR) exchange program.
Study Group 4 was initially tasked with the responsibility of
developing guidance documents on quality systems auditing practices. As
a result of its efforts, this group has developed document SG4/
N30R20:2006. SG4/N30R20:2006 (final document) entitled ``Guidelines for
Regulatory Auditing of Quality Management Systems of Medical Device
Manufacturers--Part 2: Regulatory Auditing Strategy,'' which is
intended to assist medical device regulators and organizations
conducting quality management system audits to apply a process system
approach to quality management system requirements (e.g. ISO 13485:2003
and 21 CFR part 820).
Study Group 5 was initially tasked with the responsibility of
developing guidance documents on the content and documentation of
clinical investigations. As a result of its efforts, this group has
developed documents SG5(PD)N1R7:2006 and SG5(PD)N2R7.
SG5(PD)N1R7:2006 (proposed document) entitled ``Clinical Evidence--
Key Definitions and Concepts'' introduces the concepts of clinical
evaluation and clinical evidence, and examines the relationship between
clinical investigation, clinical data, clinical evaluation, and
clinical evidence. SG5(PD)N2R7:2006 (proposed document) entitled
``Clinical Evaluation'' provides guidance on how to conduct the
clinical evaluation of a medical device as part of the conformity
assessment procedure prior to placing a medical device on the market,
as well as to support its ongoing marketing.
II. Significance of Guidance
These documents represent recommendations from the GHTF study
groups and do not describe regulatory requirements. FDA is making these
documents available so that industry and other members of the public
may express their views and opinions.
III. Electronic Access
Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the guidances may also do
so by using the Internet. The Center for Devices and Radiological
Health (CDRH) maintains an entry on the Internet for easy access to
information including text, graphics, and files that may be downloaded
to a personal computer with Internet access. Updated on a regular
basis, the CDRH home page includes device safety alerts, Federal
Register reprints, information on premarket submissions (including
lists of approved applications and manufacturers' addresses), small
manufacturer's assistance, information on video conferencing and
electronic submissions, Mammography Matters, and other device-oriented
information. Information on the GHTF may be accessed at https://
www.ghtf.org. The CDRH Web site may be accessed at https://www.fda.gov/
cdrh.
IV. Comments
Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management
(see ADDRESSES), written or electronic comments regarding these
documents. Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper
copies of any mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one
paper copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found
in brackets in the heading of this document. Comments received may be
seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
Dated: October 16, 2006.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. E6-17727 Filed 10-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S
