The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.
From 20 May 2021, these changes also apply to Class I Export Only and Class I IVD Export Only medical devices, following similar changes made on 1 October 2020 for Class I medical devices, and on 4 December 2020 for Class I IVD medical devices.
This is in accordance with the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices - Information that Must Accompany Application for Inclusion) Amendment (COVID-19 Measures - Class I Medical Devices) Determination 2020 - external site.
Changes to the process for including Class I non-sterile, non-measuring medical devices and Class 1 IVD medical devices in the ARTG
On 4 December 2020, the TGA inclusion process for Class 1 in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) changed. This follows similar changes made on 1 October 2020, for Class I non-measuring, non-sterile medical devices.
This guidance outlines the key changes and provides links to other TGA website pages to provide further information about including Class I medical devices and Class 1 IVD medical devices in the ARTG.
Summary of changes
- Applicants need to provide a manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity with their application to include the device in the ARTG, rather than simply holding this documentation and providing on request.
- The manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity template for Class I non-sterile, non-measuring devices has been revised to be more user-friendly.
- The TGA will assess applications for compliance with the legal requirements for Class I medical devices to be included in the ARTG.
- After conducting the assessment:
- if the TGA is not satisfied the product meets all the requirements for inclusion in the ARTG, the TGA will select the application for non-mandatory audit; or
- if the TGA is satisfied the product meets all the requirements for inclusion in the ARTG , the TGA will include the device in the ARTG within four (4) business days of receiving the application.
- The TGA may conduct non-mandatory audits of Class I medical device or Class 1 IVD applications where, for example, there are concerns regarding a kind of device or it appears from the application that:
- The device is not a medical device;
- The device is incorrectly classified;
- The device does not comply with the essential principles;
- The device has not had the appropriate conformity assessment procedures applied to it; or
- The information supplied in or with the application is not complete or correct.
- You can check if your product is a medical device using the decision tool.
- All Class I medical devices and Class 1 IVD medical devices included in the ARTG will continue to be subject to post-market reviews, in accordance with the existing process.
Invitation to provide feedback
We invite sponsors of Class I medical devices and Class 1 IVD medical devices to provide their feedback on the changes made to the process for including Class I non-sterile, non-measuring medical devices, Class 1 IVD medical devices, and Class I Export Only and Class I IVD Export Only medical devices in the ARTG by answering an online survey - external site.