IVD Device Registration in China

IVD device registration and importation in China requires a Medical Device Registration Certificate (MDRC) issued by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly known as the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). This document is technically owned by the foreign manufacturer, but is controlled by the Legal Agent listed on the certificate who is responsible for the registration application (To learn more about how to transfer a China Legal Agent, please visit our China Medical Device Registration page). Products must have home country approval prior to applying for registration in China.

Low Risk Class I IVD devices are subject to a filing process with applications submitted to the NMPA through the new eRPS system (link to blog). Administrative review and MDRC issuance takes about 4 weeks from application submission.

Medium Risk Class II and High Risk Class III IVD devices are subject to a registration process with applications and supporting documentation submitted to the NMPA.  Product testing certificates issued from a (local) NMPA certified laboratory are a required element of the application. Local clinical test data is also required for all Class II and III IVD devices. Review and MDRC issuance can take 12 to 24 months. 

Under new regulations, the NMPA will charge different application processing fees by device classification. The fees have yet to be determined and implemented. The MDRC is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.

Contact Asia Actual for assistance with NMPA IVD device classification, regulatory costs and timeline and clinical data requirement exemption determination. Asia Actual is available to help navigate the complex medical device registration requirements and regulatory pathway for medical device and IVD distribution in China.