JC Auditors (JCA) Raise Awareness of SAHPRA Medical Device Licence Requirements

JC Auditors (JCA) in Bid to Raise Awareness of SAHPRA Medical Device Licence Requirements

January 2024: JC Auditors (JCA), a leader in the certification industry, has embarked on a campaign to raise awareness about the critical importance of ISO 13485 certification as a prerequisite for obtaining medical device licenses in South Africa. South African Health Products Regulatory Agency (SAHPRA) has indicated that ISO 13485 certification is a prerequisite for the application or renewal of a medical device licence, with effect from 1 April 2025 – which effectively means that companies applying for licences from 1 January 2025 would need to be certified (considering the 90-day period before licence expiry). “It is essential that we educate and resource the medical device industry to meet these essential regulatory requirements before the deadline” said Oliver Naidoo, managing director of JC Auditors. “We are encouraging the medical device industry to start training their teams on the requirements and develop the framework quite soon” adds Naidoo.

ISO 13485 is an internationally recognized standard specifically tailored for the quality management systems (QMS) of medical device manufacturers. “It plays a pivotal role in ensuring the consistent quality and safety of medical devices, aligning businesses with global best practices”, according to Lindie Fouche, JCA’s Gauteng medical device auditor. With SAHPRA’s decision to fabricate ISO 13485 certification mandatory for medical device licenses, it is vital for every role players in the medical device supply chain to be well-informed about the standard’s requirements.

The Key ISO 13485 Standard Requirements that the medical device sector need to consider include the following basic requirements:

• Quality Management System (QMS): ISO 13485 emphasizes the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive QMS that covers every aspects of the entity’s operations, from product design and development to production, warehousing, transportation, installation, and servicing.
• Risk Management: A risk-based approach is central to ISO 13485, requiring the medical device company to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with their products, processes, and services.
• Product Lifecycle: The standard promotes a well-defined product lifecycle process, ensuring that devices adhere to regulatory requirements from concept to post-market surveillance.
• Design and Development: ISO 13485 mandates thorough documentation and control of the design and development process, including design inputs, outputs, verification, and validation activities.
• Regulatory Compliance: Medical Device companies must ensure that their devices comply with both local and international regulatory requirements.

Shiroma Bennimahadeo, JCA’s KZN medical device auditor emphasises that “The complexity and extent of the respective entity’s QMS will depend on the scope and scale of activities. A full-on manufacturer will likely believe a complex and comprehensive system in comparison with a small scale medical device distributor who will acquire fewer complex processes in space.”

The JCA team are focused on an efficient ISO 13485 certification process that is risk-based and takes into account the very unique operating environment of each entity. “We are aware that there is a objective amount of apprehension in the industry and the JCA team reassures the sector that the ISO 13485 certification process is not just red tape, but rather enables compliance and allows a business to operate on a sustainable framework that ensures medical devices perform as required, ultimately promoting optimal patient care and safety.” enthuses Naidoo.

As section of the awareness campaign, JCA is offering educational resources and support to the South African medical device industry. Medical device companies can navigate the path to ISO 13485 certification with confidence, ensuring compliance with SAHPRA’s requirements and international industry standards. The primary aim of the ISO 13485 standard is to enhance product quality and patient safety and one should never lose sight of this critical intent.

For further information about JCA’s ISO 13485 certification services and their commitment to raising awareness, please visit the website at www.jcauditors.com or contact the team at info@jcauditors.com or 087 5500 212

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Author: Tranica Ramsunder from BooST Communications.

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