CEN/TC 140/WG 2 - Quality systems for IVD MDs

ISO 23640:2011 is applicable to the stability evaluation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices, including reagents, calibrators, control materials, diluents, buffers and reagent kits, hereinafter called IVD reagents. ISO 23640:2011 can also be applied to specimen collection devices that contain substances used  to preserve samples or to initiate reactions for further processing of the sample in the collection device.  
ISO 23640:2011 specifies general requirements for stability evaluation and gives specific requirements for real time and accelerated stability evaluation when generating data in:
       the establishment of IVD reagent shelf life, including transport conditions suitable to ensure that product specifications are maintained;
       the establishment of stability of the IVD reagent in use after the first opening of the primary container;
       the monitoring of stability of IVD reagents already placed on the market;
       the verification of stability specifications after modifications of the IVD reagent that might affect stability.

This European Standard specifies sampling procedure requirements for acceptance testing of finished in vitro diagnostic medical devices, which require EU verification by a notified body.
Two different provisions are addressed:
a) verification by testing attributes and/or variables on a statistical basis;
b) verification by testing a homogeneous batch which has been defined by appropriate means of process validation and in-process control.
This standard specifies requirements and criteria for testing procedures to establish and verify the homogeneity of processes and products. This standard is also applicable for drawing up sampling plans for finished products according to the requirements laid down for manufacturers' product certification and production quality systems.

This standard specifies requirements related to design and manufacture in order to effectively control the risk of infection caused by in vitro diagnostic reagents including reagent products, calibrators, control materials and kits, hereinafter called IVD reagents. The standard is applicable to in vitro diagnostic reagents containing material of human origin. The standard is also applicable to in vitro diagnostic reagents containing materials obtained by biotechnology processes or materials of animal origin, in particular in view of relevant zoonoses, when the results of a risk analysis reveal that there is a risk of human infection.
The standard does not apply to the following:
   - instruments and specimen receptacles;
   NOTE 1   The prevention of infection due to handling of biological materials throughout such  equipment is addressed in other relevant International and/or European Standards.
   - general aspects of workers' protection;
   - transportation of infectious goods;
   - disposal measures.
   NOTE 2   Some of the most relevant documents relating to aspects not covered by this standard are listed in Bibliography for information.

ISO 23640:2011 is applicable to the stability evaluation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices, including reagents, calibrators, control materials, diluents, buffers and reagent kits, hereinafter called IVD reagents. ISO 23640:2011 can also be applied to specimen collection devices that contain substances used to preserve samples or to initiate reactions for further processing of the sample in the collection device.
ISO 23640:2011 specifies general requirements for stability evaluation and gives specific requirements for real time and accelerated stability evaluation when generating data in:
the establishment of IVD reagent shelf life, including transport conditions suitable to ensure that product specifications are maintained;
the establishment of stability of the IVD reagent in use after the first opening of the primary container;
the monitoring of stability of IVD reagents already placed on the market;
the verification of stability specifications after modifications of the IVD reagent that might affect stability.

ISO 23640:2011 is applicable to the stability evaluation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices, including reagents, calibrators, control materials, diluents, buffers and reagent kits, hereinafter called IVD reagents. ISO 23640:2011 can also be applied to specimen collection devices that contain substances used to preserve samples or to initiate reactions for further processing of the sample in the collection device.
ISO 23640:2011 specifies general requirements for stability evaluation and gives specific requirements for real time and accelerated stability evaluation when generating data in:
the establishment of IVD reagent shelf life, including transport conditions suitable to ensure that product specifications are maintained;
the establishment of stability of the IVD reagent in use after the first opening of the primary container;
the monitoring of stability of IVD reagents already placed on the market;
the verification of stability specifications after modifications of the IVD reagent that might affect stability.

This standard is applicable to the stability testing of in vitro diagnostic reagents including reagent products, calibrators, control materials and kits, hereinafter called IVD reagents. It specifies general requirements for stability testing and gives specific requirements for real-time testing and accelerated testing when generating stability data in the
   - determination of IVD reagent shelf-life including transport stability;
   - determination of stability of the IVD reagent in use after the first opening of the primary container (e. g. on-board stability);
   - monitoring of stability of IVD reagents already placed on the market;
   - verification of stability after IVD reagent modifications that may affect stability.
This standard does not apply to instruments, apparatus, equipment, systems, or specimen receptacles.

This European Standard provides guidance on the implementation of EN 29001 and EN 46001 and of EN 29002 and EN 46002 as applied to the manufacturer of IVDs. It is aimed at affording a better understanding of the standards themselves as well as assistance in its use, either implementing or evaluating such a quality system. The guidance given is not intended to be exhaustive, but to highlight important aspects to which attention should be drawn.  The adoption of systems other than those described in this European Standard is not to be regarded as a non-compliance with EN 29001 and EN 29002 and/or the particular requirements in EN 46001 and EN 46002.