EU Commission Publishes Stringent New Common Specifications Requirements for Reprocessing Single-Use Devices, Making In-House Hospital Reprocessing “Difficult if not Impossible”
EU Ministries of Health Face Choice: Increase Medical Waste and Cost by Using Only Original Devices or “Opt-in” to Allow Hospitals to Partner with Regulated Remanufacturers for CE Marked, Safe Reuse of Approved Single-Use Devices
[Berlin / 31 August, 2020] The European Council’s Common Specifications (CS) published 19 August, 2020 provides strict requirements for hospitals across the EU that experts agree will make it unlikely for hospitals to continue the practice of in-house reprocessing of single-use devices (SUDs). The CS goes into effect May 2021.
The Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR), the global trade association representing regulated medical device reprocessing and remanufacturing companies, supports the CS.
“The EU Commission has wisely followed a similar course to successful action taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over 20 year ago,” said Daniel J. Vukelich, President and CEO, AMDR. “The Common Specifications’ stringent requirements will make in-house reprocessing difficult if not impossible. Hospitals in Europe can, however, safely use professional remanufactured SUDs from regulated remanufacturers, which will prevent millions of kilos of medical waste and lower the costs of devices.”
“Through allowing reprocessing of single-use devices, hospitals across the EU will get an opportunity to help drive the circular economy and protect environment and public health by reducing the volume of the wastes they produce,” said Dorota Napierska, Chemicals Policy & Projects Officer, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe. “The MDR ensures that remanufactured SUDs are just as safe and effective as new ones, and they are also better for the environment, reduce costs, and align with sustainability goals.”
The EU Medical Device Regulation allows remanufacturing of SUDs if such devices meet all medical device manufacturing standards. AMDR members are working with Notified Bodies and have already received hundreds of CE marks for remanufactured devices. Member States opting-in to allow such products help promote a circular economy in healthcare, reducing reliance on a global supply chain by keeping devices and financial resources at home in Europe.
The new requirements expand the practice of safe and effective SUD remanufacturing and create an opportunity for EU countries to opt-in to regulated remanufacturing. Without opting-in, hospitals will have no choice but to increase waste and cost by using original devices with each procedure.
Worldwide, remanufacturing has undergone enormous growth, doubling in size annually for 20 years. In 2018, hospitals saved over €435 million and eliminated 7 million kilos of medical waste by using highly regulated SUDs with no increased risk to patient safety. This growth has primarily been driven by North America, where similar regulation was implemented over 20 years ago.
The first country to formally opt in – the Netherlands – have implemented their regulations allowing CE marked remanufactured devices. Belgium, Germany, and Sweden have begun the processes of assessing their requirements and AMDR is hopeful each will be opting-in to allow regulated remanufacturing.
“We urge other member states to join the growing list of countries that will give their hospitals the choice to remain strong and participate in the circular economy through the use of CE marked remanufactured SUDs,” said Mr. Vukelich.
About AMDR
The Association of Medical Device Reprocessors is the global trade association for the regulated, professional single-use device reprocessing and remanufacturing industry. For 20 years, AMDR has promoted remanufacturing as an important healthcare strategy that helps hospitals and healthcare providers increase quality, reduce costs, and strengthen the supply chain. AMDR protects the interests of its members in regulation, legislation and standard-setting.
AMDR members include Innovative Health, Medline Renewal, NEScientific, ReNu Medical, Stryker Sustainable Solution, Sustainable Technologies (a Cardinal Health Business), and Vanguard AG.
Having played a key role in the establishment of the reprocessing industry, AMDR continues to push the global medical technology industry and lead the way for remanufacturing to play a defining role in the evolution and use of new device technologies.