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3D printing and other manufacturing of personal protective equipment in response to COVID-19

Find information on the requirements for getting medical devices authorized in Canada on the medical devicespage.

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for certain medical devices, including personal protective equipment (PPE), may exceed the available supply in Canada. Health Canada recognizes that organizations may seek innovative manufacturing approaches to produce PPE for health care workers, including 3D printing, to respond to increased demand and overall interruptions to the global supply of these products. These organizations may include those that do not traditionally manufacture PPE, such as research and academic institutions, and other industry sectors.

While Health Canada supports efforts to increase the availability of PPEs for frontline health workers, organizations should be aware that the manufacture of medical devices sold in Canada have technical considerations to ensure that they are safe, effective and of high quality and must meet certain regulatory standards.

Objective

This communication is intended to provide information to those intending to 3D print PPE in response to the COVID-19 crisis, in order to ensure that safe, effective and high quality PPE are produced for Canadian health care workers.

The following sections provide information on:

Standards recommended by Health Canada

Conformance with standards is voluntary for manufacturers of medical devices. A manufacturer may choose to demonstrate conformance with a listed standard or may elect to address the safety and effectiveness in another manner.

Face shields

A face shield is a device that has a transparent window or visor supported in front of the face to shield the eyes and face. Health Canada advises organizations that are manufacturing face shields to consult some or all of the following standards throughout the design and testing stages:

Face masks

There are certain technical challenges associated with 3D printing certain PPE, such as face masks, to ensure safety and effectiveness. 3D-printed face masks may provide a physical barrier, but are unlikely to provide the same fluid barrier and air filtration protection as licensed surgical masks or N95 respirators. Health Canada advises organizations that are manufacturing face masks to consult the following standards:

Also, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the CSA Group has made a selection of relevant standards for the COVID-19 outbreak available for no-fee view access.

Several relevant standards for masks, gowns, gloves and respirators, including the ASTM F2100 (2019) and ASTM F2101 (2019) listed above, are also available.

Testing laboratories and product certification bodies

Product testing is required to demonstrate that 3D printed final products comply with applicable standards. For an up-to-date list of laboratories and certification bodies that are accredited by the Standards Council of Canada to test against PPE standards please see Standardization Network Response to COVID-19.

Regulatory authorization

Most PPE, including face shields, are Class I medical devices if they are represented for use for medical purposes.

There are currently 2 regulatory pathways that allow for the distribution and sale of 3D printed Class I devices. Note that a sale generally requires the transfer of ownership of a device from one party to another and does not necessitate any transfer of money. The manufacturer must hold an authorization under one of the following 2 pathways:

  1. Interim Order No. 3 respecting the importation and sale of medical devices for use in relation to COVID-19 or
  2. a valid Medical Device Establishment Licence (MDEL)

Interim order process

Canada is facilitating the importation and sale of medical devices used to diagnose, treat, mitigate or prevent COVID-19. On March 18, 2020, the Minister of Health approved an Interim Order to rapidly address large-scale public health emergencies. This Interim Order was replaced by Interim Order No. 2 on March 1, 2021. On February 21, 2022, Interim Order No. 3 respecting the importation and sale of medical devices for use in relation to COVID-19 replaced Interim Order No. 2.

Manufacturers may submit an application under the provisions of Interim Order No. 3 to be granted authorization to import or sell COVID-19 medical devices. This application does not require submission of fees. Health Canada will review all COVID-19-related submissions and applications as quickly as possible while maintaining standards for patient safety. To submit an application for authorization under the interim order, please contact the Medical Devices Directorate at devicelicensing-homologationinstruments@hc-sc.gc.ca.

For information about the licensing or authorization of medical devices in Canada, please contact the Medical Devices Directorate at meddevices-instrumentsmed@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Medical Device Establishment Licence (MDEL) process

Anyone who wishes to manufacture, import or sell a 3D printed Class I medical device in Canada requires an MDEL unless they are:

MDEL requirements ensure that manufacturers, importers and distributors have distribution records and procedures in place to handle complaints, submit mandatory problem reports and to conduct a recall. All of these will remain essential during a pandemic.

Health Canada is fast-tracking the MDEL application process for companies that want to manufacture, import or distribute Class I products.

Companies that need an MDEL application fast-tracked should:

Minimum specifications in urgent manufacturing scenarios

Health Canada recognizes that if access to face shields becomes limited, improvised production may occur. Whenever possible, manufacturers of face shields should comply with the standards outlined above. However, in the event that urgent production of face shields is required in Canada, interim order or MDEL requirements would continue to apply. Health Canada would expect that the following minimum specifications would be incorporated into the design and verification to ensure safe and effective face shields:

Approval of Class II medical devices in Canada

This document is specific to Class I PPE. However, Health Canada acknowledges that 3D printing may evolve to manufacturing Class II medical devices, which can include medical exam gloves, breathing circuit components and Venturi oxygen masks.

Email meddevices-instrumentsmed@hc-sc.gc.ca to enquire about device classification and the required regulatory steps if you are manufacturing medical devices that may be Class II or above.

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