Risk classification guide for medical device establishment inspections: Sample observations and ratings

Version : 3

Date issued: December 9, 2022

Replaces: Risk classification guide for medical device establishment inspections, version 2 (January 31, 2020)

Disclaimer: This document does not constitute legislation. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the legislation and this document, the legislation takes precedence. This document is an administrative document that is intended to facilitate compliance by the regulated party with the legislation and the applicable administrative policies.

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The following sample observations may be noted by inspectors when there are violations related to the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and Medical Devices Regulations (MDR). This is not a complete list. Inspectors may use other observations where needed. At the inspector’s discretion, the observations are ranked as Risk 1, 2 or 3 and may be escalated (for example, if it’s a repeat observation).

Food and Drugs Act

s.3 General (advertising)

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.19 to 21 Devices

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.37 to 38 Exports

Risk 2 (major) observations

Medical Devices Regulations, Part 1, General

s.9 Manufacturer’s obligations

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.10 to 20 Safety and effectiveness

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.21 to 23 Labelling

Risk 1 (critical) observations

 Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

s.25 Class I medical devices

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.26 to 31 Class II, III and IV medical devices

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

s.44 to 51 Establishment licence

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

s.52 to 56 Distribution records

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.57 to 58 Complaint handling

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

s.59 to 61.6 Incident reporting, serious risk of injury to human health and summary reports

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

s.63 to 65 Recall

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

s.66 to 68 Implant registration

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

MDR, Part 2, Custom-made devices and medical devices to be imported or sold for special access

s.70 General

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.75 Labelling

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.76 Distribution records

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.77 Reporting an incident

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

MDR, Part 3, Medical devices for investigational testing involving human subjects

s.80 General

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

s.81 Records

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

s.86 Labelling

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

s.87 Advertising

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

MDR, Part 4, Export certificates

s.89 to 92 Export certificates

Risk 1 (critical) observations

Risk 2 (major) observations

Risk 3 (minor) observations

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