MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNICAL

SPECIFICATION
01 SEPTEMBER 2012

TS-01: Good Distribution Practice for Medical Devices Requirements

Revision 2.1

MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SEPTEMBER 2012

PREFACE
This document sets out the requirements for the Good Distribution Practice for
Medical Devices (GDPMDS).

In the event of any contradiction between the contents of this document and
any written law, the latter shall take precedence.

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1.

INTRODUCTION

1.1.

Purpose

SEPTEMBER 2012

This document specifies the requirements for the Good Distribution Practice
for Medical Devices, including secondary assembly activity.

1.2.

Background

The storage, trade and distribution of medical devices are carried out by
various organisations. The nature of the risks involved may be the same as
those in the manufacturing environment, e.g. mix-ups and contamination.
Hence, certain aspects of a quality system for manufacturing (e.g. storage,
transportation, documentation and record-keeping practices) are applicable to
the distribution of medical devices.

The quality of medical devices can be adversely affected by a lack of

adequate control over the activities that occur during the storage and
distribution processes.

The need for establishment, development, maintenance and control over the
activities involved in the distribution process has, hitherto, generally not been
well-emphasised. The objective of Good Distribution Practice for Medical
Devices (GDPMDS) is to assist in ensuring the quality and integrity of medical
devices throughout the distribution process.

The International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT) of

the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also recommended that operators
of the distribution chain should comply with an official Good Practice
Guideline, such as the Good Distribution Practice, as part of the global effort
to combat counterfeit medical products.1

GDPMDS specifies requirements for a quality system used by an organisation

1

WHO IMPACT Draft Principles and Elements for National Legislation against Counterfeit
Medical Products, endorsed by IMPACT General Meeting in Lisbon, 12 December 2007.

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for the handling, storage, delivery, installation, servicing and secondary

assembly, with respect to the medical devices they deal in.

GDPMDS requires the organisation to demonstrate its ability to maintain the

quality of medical devices throughout the supply chain.

GDPMDS is to be used by both internal and external parties, including

certification bodies, to audit an organisations ability to meet the requirements
specified within.

The certification to GDPMDS is to be conducted by certification bodies

accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) and recognised by
the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

The design and implementation of GDPMDS by an organisation is influenced

by the size and structure of the organisation, the processes employed, and
the type of medical devices it deals with. It is not the intent of GDPMDS to
imply uniformity in the structure of the quality systems or uniformity of
documentation.
NOTE

Conformance to GDPMDS does not imply compliance to any written laws. It

is the responsibility of the organisation to ensure that they are in compliance with all
applicable laws in force.

NOTE

In the event of any contradiction between the requirements of this document

and any written law, the latter shall take precedence.

1.3.

Scope

GDPMDS is applicable to all organisations that import and supply by

wholesale medical devices in Singapore.

For organisations that had been certified to ISO 9001 Quality management
systems Requirements, various requirements of GDPMDS are covered

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under ISO 9001. As certain clauses of GDPMDS are covered under ISO
9001, the audit time for companies that have obtained certification to ISO
9001 from Certification Bodies should be reduced in accordance to CT 04:
SAC Criteria for Certification Bodies (Good Distribution Practice for Medical
Devices).
NOTE

ISO 9001 is not equivalent to GDPMDS. The ISO 9001 Certification shall not

be accepted in lieu of GDPMDS Certification for the purpose of obtaining Importers and
Wholesalers Licence(s) from HSA.

1.4.

Application

All requirements of GDPMDS are specific to organisations providing medical

devices, regardless of the type or size of the organisation.

If any requirement in Clause 4 of GDPMDS is deemed to not be applicable

based on the characteristics of the medical device(s), the organisation does
not need to implement such a requirement. If an organisation identifies any
requirement in Clause 4 that does not apply to the range of medical devices
they deal in, a justification has to be provided for their exclusion from
fulfilment of that particular requirement.

When the terms where appropriate are used to qualify a requirement in the
GDPMDS, it is deemed to be appropriate unless the organisation can
document a justification otherwise.

Clause 7 (Field Safety Corrective Action) of GDPMDS may be excluded for

suppliers of storage, warehousing, secondary assembly and distribution
services.

Clause 14 shall only be applicable to organisations who perform secondary

assembly.

The applicable scope of GDPMDS is defined in Annex 1. The categories of

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medical devices are defined in Annex 2.

1.5.

Definitions

The terms used to describe the supply chain is in line with ISO 13485:2003
Medical devices Quality management systems Requirements for
regulatory purposes.

supplier -----> organisation -----> customer

The following definitions should be regarded as generic, as definitions

provided in written law can differ slightly and take precedence.

ADVERSE EFFECT: means any debilitating, harmful or detrimental effect that

the medical device has been found to have or to be likely to have on the body
or health of humans when such a medical device is used by or administered
to humans

ADVERSE EVENT: any event or other occurrence, that reveals any defect in
any medical device or that concerns any adverse effect arising from the use
thereof.

CERTIFICATION BODIES: for the purposes of this technical specification,

means certification bodies accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council
(SAC) and recognised by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

CUSTOMER COMPLAINT: is any written, electronic or oral communication

that alleges deficiencies related to the identity, quality, durability, reliability,
safety or performance of a medical device that has been placed on the
market.
NOTE

This definition is adopted from ISO 13485:2003 Medical devices Quality

management systems Requirements for regulatory purposes (Terms and definitions 3.4)

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DISTRIBUTION: for the purposes of this technical specification, means the

release, delivery and post-delivery activities conducted by the company.

EXPORT: with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, means to

take or cause to be taken out of Singapore by land, sea or air.

FIELD SAFETY CORRECTIVE ACTION (FSCA): any action taken to reduce

the risk of death or serious deterioration in the state of health of a person
associated with the use of a medical device, including

the return of the medical device to its product owner;

the replacement or destruction of the medical device;

any action regarding the use of the medical device that is taken in
accordance with the advice of its product owner;

the clinical management of any patient who has used the medical device;

the modification of the medical device;

the retrofitting of the medical device in accordance with any modification to

it or any change to its design by its product owner;

the making of any permanent or temporary change to the labelling or

instructions for use of the medical device; or

any upgrade to any software used with the medical device, including any
such upgrade carried out by remote access;

In assessing the need of the FSCA, the product owner is advised to use the
methodology described in the ISO 14971:2007 Medical devices Application
of risk management to medical devices.

FIELD SAFETY NOTICE (FSN): a communication sent out by a product

owner or its representative to the device users in relation to a FSCA.

IMPORT: with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, means to

bring or cause to be brought into Singapore by land, sea or air.

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MEDICAL DEVICE: means any instrument, apparatus, implement, machine,

appliance, implant, in vitro reagent or calibrator, software, material or other
similar or related article that is intended by its product owner to be used,
whether alone or in combination, for humans for one or more of the specific
purposes of:

diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of any disease;

diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, alleviation of or compensation for an

injury;

investigation, replacement, modification, or support of the anatomy or of a

physiological process;

supporting or sustaining life;

control of conception;

disinfection of medical devices; or

providing information for medical or diagnostic purposes by means of in

vitro examination of specimens derived from the human body,

and which does not achieve its primary intended action in or on the human
body by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means, but which may
be assisted in its intended function by such means.
PREMISES:

for the purposes of this technical specification, means any

location that is used for activities dealing with medical devices, including
storage, manufacture, etc.

PACKAGING: for the purposes of this technical specification, in relation to a

medical device, means the container and other packaging material in which
the medical device is supplied.

PRIMARY PACKAGE: Element of the packaging system that maintains the

sterility and/or integrity of the medical device.

SECONDARY ASSEMBLY: the process of repackaging a medical device from

its original packaging into another packaging, without breach of the primary
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package, before the medical device is supplied.

WHOLESALE: for the purposes of this technical specification, in relation to a

medical device, means any one or more of the following:

supplying the medical device to a person who obtains the medical device
for the purposes of supplying it again to some other person;

supplying the medical device to a person as a commercial sample in the

normal course of a lawful trade;

supplying the medical device to a Government department or statutory

body which requires the medical device for the purposes of the public
service or use in connection with the exercise of any statutory power;

supplying the medical device to a person or an institution concerned with

scientific education or research which requires the medical device for the
purpose of education or research;

supplying the medical device to a person who requires the medical device
for the purpose of enabling him to comply with any requirements made by,
or in pursuance of, any written law with respect to the medical treatment of
persons employed by that person in any business or trade carried out by
that person;

supplying the medical device to a person who requires to use the medical
device, other than by way of administration to one or more persons, for the
purpose of his business or trade;

supplying the medical device by export to a party outside Singapore.

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2.

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

2.1.

General Requirements

SEPTEMBER 2012

The organisation shall establish, document, implement and maintain a quality

management system and maintain its effectiveness in accordance to the
requirements of GDPMDS.

Where an organisation chooses to outsource any activities that may affect the
quality of medical devices, the organisation shall ensure control over such
processes.

2.2.

Documentation Requirements

2.2.1. General
The documentation shall include:

a site master file,

documented procedures required by the GDPMDS,

documents needed by the organisation to ensure the effective planning,

operation and control of its processes,

records required by the GDPMDS, and

any other documentation specified by the regulatory authorities.

All documented requirements, procedures and activities shall also be

implemented and maintained.

2.2.2. Site Master File

The organisation shall establish and maintain a site master file that includes:

the scope of the GDPMDS implemented, including the details of, and
justification for any exclusion and/or non-application,

the documented procedures established for the GDPMDS, or reference to

them, and

information regarding the premises where activities are conducted.

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2.2.3. Control Of Documents

Documents required by GDPMDS shall be controlled.

A documented procedure shall be established for the control of documents.

All documents shall be prepared, approved, signed and dated by an

appropriate authorised person(s) and any change in person(s) permitted to
carry out this task requires authorisation.

Documents shall be reviewed regularly and kept up-to-date. When a

document has been revised, a control system shall be established to prevent
the unintended use of the superseded version.

2.2.4. Control Of Records

Records shall be established and maintained to provide evidence of
conformity to requirements of GDPMDS. Records shall be legible, readily
identifiable and retrievable.

A documented procedure shall be established to define the controls needed

for the identification, storage, protection, retrieval, retention time and
disposition of records.

The organisation shall retain the records for a period of time:

specified by relevant regulatory requirements, or

at least equivalent to the lifetime of the medical device as defined by the

product owner of the medical devices, or

no less than two years from the date that the medical device is shipped
from the organisation,

whichever is the longest.

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3.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

3.1.

Personnel

SEPTEMBER 2012

3.1.1. General
Key personnel in charge of warehousing operations shall possess the
necessary competence in terms of education, training, skills and experience,
prior to performing their work.

3.1.2. Training
The organisation shall

determine the necessary competence for the key personnel,

provide training to satisfy these needs,

evaluate the effectiveness of the training, and

maintain training records.

3.1.3. Responsibility And Authority

The organisation shall ensure that responsibilities and authorities are defined,
documented and communicated within the organisation. The organisation
shall establish the interrelation between all personnel who manage, perform
and verify work that affects quality, and shall ensure the independence and
authority to perform these tasks.

3.1.4. Management Representative

The organisation shall appoint a member of the management who,
irrespective of other responsibilities, shall have the ultimate responsibility of:

ensuring that processes needed for the quality management system are
established, implemented and maintained,

reporting to top management on the performance of the quality

management system and any need for improvement, and

ensuring the promotion of awareness of regulatory and customer

requirements throughout the organisation.

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NOTE

SEPTEMBER 2012

The responsibility of a management representative can include liaising with

external parties on matters relating to the quality management system.

3.2.

Premises And Facilities

3.2.1. General
The organisation shall ensure that the premises and equipment used are
suitable and adequate to ensure proper conservation and distribution of
medical devices.

3.2.2. Cleanliness
The organisation shall establish documented requirements for cleaning of
premises, including frequency and methods.

Records of cleaning shall be maintained.

3.2.3. Pest Control

The organisation shall establish a pest control programme to identify and
prevent pest infestation.

Records of pest control programme shall be maintained.

4.

STORAGE AND STOCK HANDLING

The organisation shall provide suitable and adequate storage to ensure

proper conservation of the medical devices.

4.1.

Receipt Of Stock

The organisation shall establish and implement inspection or other activities

necessary to ensure that medical devices received meet specified
requirements.

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Medical devices subject to specific storage measures shall be immediately

identified and stored in accordance with the specified instruction(s).

Records of the verification shall be maintained.

4.2.

Calibration

Equipment used to ensure proper conservation and distribution of medical

devices shall be calibrated or verified at specific intervals, or prior to use,
against measurement standards traceable to international or national
standards.

4.3.

Storage

4.3.1. Storage Condition

Medical devices shall be stored under conditions specified to prevent
deterioration by light, moisture, temperature or other conditions. Storage
conditions shall be monitored and recorded periodically, where appropriate.

Records of the storage conditions shall be maintained.

4.3.2. Stock Rotation

The organisation shall establish a system to ensure stock rotation.

Medical devices beyond their expiry date or shelf life shall be segregated from
usable stock. They shall be clearly labelled as Not for Sale or in other similar
phrases/words. The expired medical devices shall be disposed of in
accordance to Clause 9.

4.4.

Delivery To Customers

The organisation shall establish adequate methods of transportation to

achieve safe and secure delivery of all medical devices from their point of
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collection to their point of delivery.

Medical devices shall be transported in such a way that:

their identification is not lost;

they do not contaminate, and are not contaminated by, other medical
devices or materials/substances;

adequate precautions are taken against spillage, breakage or theft;

they are secure and not subjected to unacceptable degrees of heat, cold,
light, moisture or other adverse influence, or to attack by microorganisms
and pests.

Medical devices requiring controlled temperature storage or other special

control and conditions shall be transported by appropriate or specialised
means.

4.5.

Installation And Servicing

4.5.1. Installation
Where the installation of a medical device is a specified requirement, the
organisation shall establish and maintain adequate installation and inspection
instructions, and where appropriate, test procedures.

Instructions and procedures shall include directions for ensuring proper

installation so that the medical device will perform as intended after
installation. Installation, inspection and any required testing are to be
performed in accordance with the instructions and procedures.

The records of inspection and any test results to demonstrate proper

installation shall be maintained.

4.5.2. Servicing
Where servicing is a specified requirement, the organisation shall establish

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and maintain instructions and procedures for performing and verifying that the
servicing meets the specified requirements.

Records of servicing shall be maintained.

5.

TRACEABILITY

Records providing traceability of medical devices from the supplier and to the
customers shall be maintained.

The organisation shall retain the records for a period of time:

specified by relevant regulatory requirements, or

at least equivalent to the lifetime of the medical device as defined by the

product owner of the medical devices, or

no less than two years from the date that the medical device is shipped
from the organisation,

whichever is the longest.

6.

MEDICAL DEVICE COMPLAINTS

The organisation shall establish a documented procedure for handling of

complaints regarding medical devices.

Any reports of adverse event that meets the regulatory reporting criteria
received by the organisation shall be reported to the regulatory authority.
NOTE

Reporting criteria and specific timelines for reporting of adverse events are

stipulated in the Health Products (Medical Devices) Regulations.

Records of the complaint, investigation and any subsequent actions taken

shall be maintained.

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7.

SEPTEMBER 2012

FIELD SAFETY CORRECTIVE ACTION (FSCA)

The organisation shall establish documented procedures for handling of

FSCA. The responsibilities for planning, conducting, reporting of the corrective
action shall be defined in the documented procedure.

The regulatory authority shall be informed prior to execution of the FSCA. If

the medical devices are exported, the overseas counterparts shall be
informed of the FSCA.

Records of all actions taken in connection with the FSCA and their approval
by the company and regulatory authority shall be maintained.

8.

RETURN OF MEDICAL DEVICES

The organisation shall establish documented procedures for handling of

returned medical devices.

All returned medical devices shall be segregated apart from saleable stock to
prevent redistribution until a decision has been reached regarding their
disposal.

The criteria for re-evaluation of the returned medical devices shall be

documented. Records of the re-evaluation and any subsequent actions taken
shall be maintained.

9.

DISPOSAL OF MEDICAL DEVICES

The organisation shall establish a documented procedure for the disposal of

medical devices.

If the medical devices have not been immediately sent for disposal, they shall
be kept in a clearly segregated area and identified so that they will not be sold
inadvertently or contaminate other medical devices.

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Records of the disposal shall be maintained.

10.

COUNTERFEIT, ADULTERATED, UNWHOLESOME OR TAMPERED

MEDICAL DEVICES
Any counterfeit, adulterated, unwholesome or tampered medical devices
found in the distribution network shall be physically segregated from other
medical devices to avoid any confusion. They shall be clearly labelled as Not
for Sale or in other similar phrases/words.

The organisation shall inform the regulatory authority, registrant and product
owner immediately.
11.

INTERNAL AUDITS

The organisation shall conduct internal audits at planned intervals to monitor

the implementation of and compliance with the requirements of GDPMDS.

The organisation shall define in a documented procedure, the responsibilities

and requirements for planning and conducting audits and reporting of the
results and maintenance of the audit records.

Actions to eliminate detected nonconformities and their causes shall be taken

without undue delay. Verification of the actions taken and the reporting of
verification results shall be recorded.
12.

MANAGEMENT REVIEW

The top management shall review its quality management system at planned
intervals, to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. This
review shall include assessing opportunities for improvement and the need for
changes to the quality management system.

Records from management reviews shall be maintained.

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12.1. Review input

The input to management review shall include information on

results of audits,

customer feedback,

process performance and medical device conformity,

status of preventive and corrective actions,

follow-up actions from previous management reviews,

changes that could affect the quality management system,

recommendations for improvement, and

new or revised regulatory requirements.

12.2. Review output

The output from the management review shall include any decisions and
actions related to

improvement of the effectiveness of the quality management system and

its processes,

improvement of medical device related to customer requirements, and

resource needs.

13.

OUTSOURCED ACTIVITIES

Where the organisation outsources any process within the scope of the
GDPMDS, the organisation shall ensure control over such processes.
The organisation shall establish requirements to ensure that the outsourced
activities conform to specified requirements.

The type and extent of control applied to the supplier shall be dependent on
the impact on meeting the requirements of GDPMDS.

The supplier shall be audited as part of the internal audit if the supplier has
not been certified to GDPMDS.

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For outsourced activities under Clause 4 of GDPMDS, the supplier of outsourced storage, warehousing, secondary assembly and distribution services
shall be audited by the certification body as part of the organisation's system,
unless the supplier is already certified to GDPMDS. The scope of the
supplier's certification shall cover the scope of the organisation.

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14.

SEPTEMBER 2012

SECONDARY ASSEMBLY

14.1. General requirements

The organisation shall plan and carry out secondary assembly of medical
devices under controlled conditions.

Controlled conditions shall include, as applicable

the availability of information that describes the characteristics of the

medical device,

the availability of documented procedures, documented requirements,

work instructions, and reference materials and reference measurement
procedures as necessary,

the use of suitable equipment,

the availability and use of monitoring and measuring devices,

the implementation of monitoring and measurement activities,

the implementation of release of medical devices, their delivery and postdelivery activities, and

the implementation of defined operations for labelling and packaging of

medical devices.

The organisation shall establish and maintain a record for each batch of
medical devices that provides traceability (see clause 5) and identifies the
amount assembled and the amount approved for distribution. The batch
record shall be verified and approved by qualified personnel.

14.2. Assembly documents

A batch assembly record shall be kept for each batch or part batch
assembled. The record shall carry the batch number and the quantity of bulk
medical devices to be packed.

The assembly shall be made or completed at the time each action is taken
and in such a way that all significant activities concerning the assembly of

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medical device are traceable.

These records shall be retained for a period of time:

specified by relevant regulatory requirements, or

at least equivalent to the lifetime of the medical device as defined by the

product owner of the medical devices, or

no less than two years from the date that the medical device is shipped
from the organisation,

whichever is the longest.

14.3. Materials control

14.3.1.

Medical devices to be re-packed

For each delivery, the incoming medical devices shall be checked for integrity
of package and seal, for correspondence between the delivery note and the
suppliers labels, and for compliance with medical device quality specification.

Medical devices with breached primary package shall not be used for
secondary assembly.

Medical devices in the storage area shall be appropriately labelled. There

shall be appropriate procedures or measures to assure the identity of the
contents of each packaging of the medical devices. Bulk containers from
which quantities of the medical devices have been drawn shall be clearly
identified.

Medical devices requiring special storage conditions shall be placed in

separate areas constructed and equipped to provide the desired conditions.
The storage conditions shall be continuously monitored and recorded.

As far as possible, the actual storage temperature shall be expressed

quantitatively. Where the storage temperature is not expressed quantitatively
or stated (in terms of a range) on the labels of the registered medical device,
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the definitions in Annex 1 of GN-01 Guidance on the Application of Good

Distribution Practice for Medical Devices (GDPMDS) shall apply.

14.3.2.

Packaging materials

The purchase, handling and control of all packaging materials shall be

accorded attention similar to that given to starting materials.

When setting up a programme for the packaging operations, particular

attention shall be given to minimising the risk of mix-ups or substitutions.
Different medical devices shall not be packaged in close proximity unless
there is physical segregation.

14.3.3.

Medical device labelling

All original labelling (including instructions for use, label and any other
informational sheet or leaflet, etc) and all original labelling information shall
accompany the repackaged medical device when it is supplied. Additional
secondary package labelling is permitted in accordance to Annex 3.

14.4. Good assembly practices

14.4.1.

Special considerations

All medical devices and materials used for assembly shall be checked before
use by a designated person for quantity, identity and conformity with the
packaging instructions. Line clearance shall be performed prior to
commencement of the assembly operation.

The correct performance of any printing operation which is carried out

separately or in the course of the packaging shall be checked and recorded.

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14.4.2.

SEPTEMBER 2012

Assembly equipment

The organisation shall ensure that the assembly equipment used are suitable
and adequate to ensure proper secondary assembly of medical devices.

The parts that come into contact with the medical devices must not affect the
quality of the medical devices and present any hazard.

Control equipment shall be calibrated and checked at defined intervals by

appropriate methods. Adequate records of such tests shall be maintained.

14.5. Quality control

Finished medical device assessment shall embrace all relevant factors,
including assembly conditions, a review of packaging documentation,
compliance with finished medical device specification and visual examination
of the final finished pack.

The process of secondary assembly shall not compromise the medical

devices conformance to the Essential Principles of Safety and Performance.
Details of the essential principles of safety and performance can be found at
GN-16: Guidance on Essential Principles for Safety and Performance of
Medical Devices.

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ANNEX 1
(Normative)
Scope of certification
The scope of the certificate shall specify the following:

Activities performed by the organisation + categories of medical devices

handled by the organisation

Activities (storage, warehousing, secondary assembly and distribution)

that are outsourced, if applicable.

Storage and handling conditions

NOTE

See Annex 2 for categories of medical devices.

Applicable activities for organisation include:

Import

Storage

Distribution (includes transportation)

Installation

Servicing (includes repair and maintenance)

Secondary assembly

NOTE

For organisations that are suppliers of out-sourced storage, warehousing,

secondary assembly and distribution services should only have the following activities listed in
the scope of their certification:

Storage;

Distribution (includes transportation); and/or

Secondary assembly

The certification shall also cover any special storage and handling conditions,
such as chill room or cold room for cold chain management. Examples of
statements can include (non-exhaustive list):

There are no special storage and handling conditions

Cold-chain management for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices

Chiller room, freezer (to indicate temperature range)

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NOTE

SEPTEMBER 2012

Special storage conditions would involve special handling because devices

that are stored in special conditions require special handling.

NOTE

If special storage and handling conditions are not applicable, the scope of the

certificate must indicate that there are no special storage and handling conditions.

Following information shall be indicated in the certification:

Address(es) of all premises of registered company, including storage

facilities, and activities performed at those premises.

Address(es) of third-party warehouse used and activities performed at that

warehouse.

R2.1 [Removal conditional certification option] R2.1

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MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SEPTEMBER 2012

ANNEX 2
(Normative)
Medical device categories for inclusion in scope of certification

The certification is specific for categories of medical devices that are covered
under the audit. Some replication may exist when it comes to classifying the
device. For example, a device may be classified as dental device and single
use device. Therefore, the category selected should be the one that is most
appropriate for that medical device.
NOTE

Category 11: Single-use devices is a generic category that shall be used only

if all other categories do not apply to the medical device in question.

S/N

Term Name

Term definition

Active implantable

A category that includes devices relying on a source of power

devices

other than that directly generated by the human body or by

gravity and intended to be totally or partially introduced,
surgically or medically, into the human body, or by medical
intervention into a natural orifice, and which is intended to
remain there after the procedure.

Examples of devices in this category are: pacemakers,

implantable infusion pumps, cochlear implants.
2

Anaesthetic and

A category that includes devices and accessory devices used

respiratory devices

for supplying, conditioning, monitoring, dispensing and

delivering respiratory, medical and anaesthetic gases and
vapours to provide and/or controlling respiration and/or
anaesthesia.

Examples of devices in this category are: anaesthetic

workstations, respiratory circuits, ventilators.

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MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SEPTEMBER 2012

S/N

Term Name

Term definition

Dental devices

A category that includes devices for use in the diagnosis,

prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of oral,
maxillo-facial and dental disease or disorders.

Examples of devices in this category are: dental hand

instruments, impression materials, dental amalgam, dental
tools.
4

Diagnostic and

A category that includes devices which are diagnostic and/or

therapeutic radiation

therapeutic and use such modalities as X-rays, magnetic

devices

resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, in vivo isotope

imaging and linear accelerators.

Examples of devices in this category are: X-ray equipment,

computed tomography scanners, ultrasonic imaging devices.
5

Electro mechanical

A category that includes devices where the operation

medical devices

depends upon a source of electrical energy (electromedical),

or source of energy other than that directly generated by the
patients body or gravity and which uses this energy to
produce its effect or action (mechanical).

Examples of devices in this category are: EEG, infusion

pumps, monitors for haemodialysis, monitors for ECG, spring
driven and elastomeric pumps.
6

Hospital Hardware

A category that includes devices which are not directly used

in diagnosis or examinations, nor has direct influence on the
clinical evaluation of the patients condition, test results or
further treatment.

Examples of devices in this category are: sterilisers, patient

transfer equipment, disinfectants.

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MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SEPTEMBER 2012

S/N

Term Name

Term definition

In vitro diagnostic

A category that includes devices which are used for in vitro

devices

examination of samples from the human body for the purpose

of determining physiological or pathological conditions.

Examples of devices in this category are: blood glucose

monitors, bilirubinometers, microbial sensitivity systems.
8

Non-active

A category that includes devices other than active implantable

implantable devices

devices which are implanted for longer than thirty days.

Examples of devices in this category are: intra-uterine

devices, heart valves, bone prostheses.
9

Ophthalmic and

A category that includes devices for use in the diagnosis,

optical devices

prevention, monitoring, treatment, correction or alleviation of

eye diseases and optical malfunctions.

Examples of devices in this category are: tonometers,

intraocular lenses, slit lamps.
10

Reusable instruments A category that includes devices which are used in surgery or
.

elsewhere and are intended to be cleaned and sterilised for

reuse.

Examples of devices in this category are: retractors,

haemostats, drills, saws
11

Single-use devices

A category that includes devices which are intended to be

used only once and then disposed.
NOTE: This also includes devices that are used more than
once upon the same patient during the same procedure and
then disposed.

Examples of devices in this category are: intravenous infusion

sets, condoms, laparotomy sponges, internal tissue stapling
devices.

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MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SEPTEMBER 2012

S/N

Term Name

Term definition

12

Technical aids for

A category that includes devices specially produced or

disabled persons

generally available which compensate for, relieve, prevent, or

neutralise an impairment, disability or handicap.

Examples of devices in this category are: crutches, artificial

limb, hearing aids, wheelchairs.

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MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SEPTEMBER 2012

ANNEX 3
Secondary assembly activities
1.

Repackaging/assembly of medical devices (change in quantity only)

Example

Restrictions

No assignment of new expiry date, NEW product name and NEW product
owner name to medical device

No assignment of new primary label (Original primary label shall remain

with individual medical devices)

NOTE:

2.

Any expiry date indicated shall reflect the shortest expiry date in the package.

Packaging/assembly of different medical devices

Example

Restrictions

No assignment/addition of new product owner name/logo or proprietary

brand name to secondary package

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MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

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No assignment of new primary label (Original primary label shall remain

with individual medical devices)

Secondary package label shall only contain the following:

List of items in secondary package;

Expiry date of secondary package, based on component with shortest

expiry date; and

Optional inclusion of statement, Packed for <customer name>.

Product identifier code for secondary package.

Manufacturing activities not deemed to be secondary assembly

activities (non-exhaustive list):

Assignment of new expiry date to medical device(s);

Assignment of new brand name and/or new product owner name to

medical device(s);

Assignment of new primary label to medical device(s); or

Sterilisation of medical device(s).

NOTE:

The change/addition of brand name and/or new product owner name constitutes

a change in product owner.

Change in quantity for shipper cartons (example provided below), intended for
shipping and transportation only, is not considered a secondary assembly
activity. It is not deemed a manufacturing activity in the first place.

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Contact Information:

Licensing & Certification Branch

Audit & Licensing Division
Health Products Regulation Group
Health Sciences Authority
150 Cantonment Road, Cantonment Centre, Block A
#01-02 Singapore 089762
www.hsa.gov.sg
T: 68663522
F: 6478 9068