Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

Swissmedic: Invalid Certification of the Notified Body ECM

On 9 January 2024, the Swiss Medicines Agency Swissmedic informed about critical deficits in the system of medical device regulation. 

To ensure safety and efficiency, medical devices and the quality management system of medical device manufacturers are inspected and continuously monitored by notified bodies. The German notified body ECM (ECM-Zertifizierungsgesellschaft für Medizinprodukte in

Europa GmbH, Aachen) used to be such a notified body until its designation expired on 25 May 2020 and has not been renewed by the corresponding German authority. Since then, ECM-certified products have no longer been monitored in accordance with the requirements of the Therapeutic Products Act.

Last year, Swissmedic discovered that ECM certified medical devices of foreign manufacturers were still being sold in Switzerland. In response, the Swiss authority informed the approximately 980 registered Swiss authorised representatives of foreign manufacturers about the problem in June 2023 and asked them to review their mandates.

During the period from July to October 2023, the Swiss authority then carried out extensive research for a sample check. This revealed that 7 of the 15 specifically selected authorised representatives had products with an ECM certificate in their portfolio.

Swissmedic has ordered the authorised representatives concerned to take corrective action to ensure that the products distributed in Switzerland comply with the regulatory requirements.


Source:

Swissmedic:  Announcements on market control issues

Meet the GMP Compliance Adviser

The GMP Compliance Adviser is the world's largest knowledge portal for quality management in the pharma business. 

The demo access is non-binding and ends automatically.

Test it now for free

You may also be Interested in the Following Articles:

EMA: Concept Paper for the Revision of Annex 3 on Radiopharmaceuticals

EMA: Concept Paper for the Revision of Annex 3 on Radiopharmaceuticals

The EMA has published a concept paper outlining a future revision of Annex 3 (Manufacture of Radiopharmaceuticals) of the EU GMP Guidelines. The paper was developed in collaboration with PIC/S and adopted by the GMDP Inspectors Working Group (IWG) at its November meeting.

Read more
EMA: Q&A on QP Certification Without Physical EU Import

EMA: Q&A on QP Certification Without Physical EU Import

The EMA has published a new Q&A addressing QP certification for batches that are neither manufactured within the EU/EEA nor intended for the EU/EEA market, and that are not physically imported into the EU/EEA.

Read more
EU: Agreement on the Pharmaceutical Package

EU: Agreement on the Pharmaceutical Package

On 11 December, the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union reached a provisional agreement to update Europe's medicinal products regulatory framework.

Read more
EMA: Updated Q&As for Biological Medicinal Products

EMA: Updated Q&As for Biological Medicinal Products

EMA has updated its Q&A on biological medicinal products, addressing topics that previously required clarification or were subject to differing interpretation. The latest revision adds six new questions and updates several existing answers.

Read more
ICH: New Recommendations for the Manufacture of ATMPs

ICH: New Recommendations for the Manufacture of ATMPs

The ICH’s Cell and Gene Therapy Discussion Group (CGTDG), which was established in May 2023, has provided recommendations with regard to future Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) Related Guidelines.

Read more
GMP Publishing Embarks on a new Digital Chapter

GMP Publishing Embarks on a new Digital Chapter

After months of intensive work, creative ideas, and technical finesse, the time has finally come: the GMP Verlag website has been given a fresh new look.
Read more
Previous
Next