EN 14971:2012

It is not necessary to purchase the EN ISO 14971 version because you should already be compliant and amendments are sold separately.

If the above conversation sounds familiar, hopefully, this blog will help.

Note: This is a 2012 blog that will be updated and/or consolidated soon, but here’s a link for risk management training.

Question 1: What is the current version of EN ISO 14971?

Answer 1: EN 14971 was revised to 2012 on July 6, 2012. The previous 2009 version was withdrawn. The ISO version is not changing–just the EN version.

Question 2: What’s new in 2012?

Answer 2: Only the three Annexes related to harmonization with the three directives (MDD, AIMDD, and IVDD) were updated. The content of the Standard itself has not changed.

Question 3: Do I need to buy EN ISO 14971… which really hasn’t changed since 2007?

Answer 3:  No…unless you still have the 2000 version. (just my personal opinion … not anyone else necessarily agrees)

Why you don’t need to buy the  EN ISO 14971 version…

Historically, Annex ZA was the annex at the back of a Standard that would explain how it is harmonized with the European Directives. However, in 2009, Annex ZA was separated into ZA, ZB, and ZC. Each of these Annexes explained how the current version of ISO 14971  (then ISO 14971:2007) differs from each of the three directives. In addition, there was a correction to Figure 1 (i.e., – arrow in the wrong location). Neville Clarke provided a good summary of these minor changes that occurred in 2009. The European Commission was concerned with some of the differences between the 2009 Standard and the Directives. Therefore, the Standard has been updated to clarify these differences.

There are seven technical deviations from the Standard that are required for compliance with the European Directives. Marcelo Antunes is an expert on Standards, and he accurately describes these deviations as “weird” in a discussion thread on Elsmar Cove’s Forum. The deviation that seems to have caught the most attention is the requirement to reduce ALL risk to “as low as possible” (ALAP) rather than to a level that to “as low as reasonably practicable” (ALARP concept). The “ALAP” acronym was a joke, but it wouldn’t be the first time that something like this stuck (i.e., – SWAG).

An alternative approach to verifying compliance with EN ISO 14971

If you sleep with a label maker under your pillow, you should buy the new BS EN 14971:2012 version,  so you can ensure that you are staying in compliance with each of these seven deviations and that you have considered the implications fully in your procedure for Risk Management. However, if you are a practical person that prefers not to upset the entire development team, I recommend a different approach.

1. Download a copy of the relevant Directive from the Europa Website

2. Using Adobe, search the entire Directive for the word “risk”:

AIMDD = 24 times

MDD = 55 times

IVDD = 34 times

3. Systematically review where the word “risk” is used to determine if you need to make adjustments for your CE Marked products. If you already have a CE Mark, there should be no changes required to your risk management documents. Your procedures might need clarification to observe the requirements of the Directive when there is a difference between the Standard and the Directive.

Last Question: What is your Notified Body auditor going to do?

Final Answer: I’m not sure, because every auditor is a little different in their approach. However, as an instructor, I would teach an auditor to ask open-ended questions, such as: “How did you determine if there is an impact upon your procedures and design documentation with regard to the updated Standard?” (i.e., – impact analysis). If the company provides an impact analysis and explains why the existing risk documentation and procedure should not change, I believe this meets the requirements for “equivalency with the State of the Art.”

Honestly, I haven’t seen one single company that was 100% in compliance with the “letter” of the Directives or the Standard. Sometimes, rational thought must overcome political compromises and irrational behaviors.

On the other hand, it’s always possible that these seven deviations, and the information on corrective action, will fundamentally change the way your company approaches risk management (I just dare you to bring it up in your next management review).

If you would like a second opinion, the Document Center’s Standard Forum says, “As you can see, this material is essential to conformance with the EN requirements and will make the purchase of the EN edition (BS EN ISO 14971 is the official English language edition) mandatory for medical device manufacturers certifying to the standard for sales in Europe.” FYI…Document Center’s Standard Forum sells Standards. You can buy this one from them for $324.