Effective September 19, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ASCA Program is converting from a pilot to a permanent program. This transition is authorized by the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2022 (MDUFA V). The ASCA program will continue to be implemented through the final guidance documents.

A device manufacturer may choose to use an ASCA-accredited testing laboratory to conduct testing for premarket submissions to the FDA. For such testing, ASCA-accredited testing laboratories provide the device manufacturer with all the information listed in the relevant ASCA program specifications. When the device manufacturer includes a declaration of conformity with an ASCA Summary Test Report as part of their premarket submission, the FDA will have confidence in the testing laboratories’ test methods and results and does not intend to request additional information regarding testing methodologies.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFDA/bulletins/370fa4c

EU just published a new Q&A sheet to address the extension of the MDR and IVDR deadline.

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_24

In Taiwan, starting from June 1, 2023, license holders of Class II medical devices are required to upload UDI and corresponding product information to the UDI Database (UDID). Class II medical device manufacturers are also required to place UDI on the product label.