🇦🇹Europe

Medical Device Regulation in Austria

Austria regulates medical devices under the EU Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745) as a member state of the European Union. The Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG) serves as the national competent authority. Austria has a well-established medical device industry and is fully integrated into the EU's harmonized regulatory framework.

FrameworkEU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) 2017/745; EU In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) 2017/746; Austrian Medical Devices Act (Medizinproduktegesetz – MPG 2021)
Classification systemClass I / Class IIa / Class IIb / Class III
Primary agencyBASG
RegionEurope
References tracked0
Updates this year3

Sources Tracked by Qalico

Qalico continuously monitors 0 references across guidelines, regulations, and standards for Austria.

Device Classification

Class IClass IIaClass IIbClass III

Austria follows the EU MDR classification system based on risk. Class I devices are low risk (e.g., stethoscopes, wheelchairs). Class IIa devices are low-moderate risk (e.g., hearing aids, ultrasound equipment). Class IIb devices are moderate-high risk (e.g., ventilators, X-ray machines). Class III devices are high risk (e.g., coronary stents, total joint replacements). Classification rules are defined in Annex VIII of the EU MDR.

Official classification guidance →

Standards & Key Principles

Applicable Standards

ISO 13485:2016 – Quality Management Systems for Medical DevicesISO 14971:2019 – Risk Management for Medical DevicesIEC 60601-1 – Medical Electrical Equipment SafetyEN ISO 10993 – Biological Evaluation of Medical DevicesEN ISO 11135 – Sterilization of Health-Care ProductsEN 62304 – Medical Device Software Lifecycle Processes

Key Principles

  • Medical devices must bear the CE mark and comply with EU MDR 2017/745 before being placed on the Austrian market.
  • Manufacturers must register their devices in EUDAMED and assign Unique Device Identifiers (UDI).
  • Higher-risk devices (Class IIa, IIb, III) require conformity assessment by an EU-notified body.
  • An EU-based authorized representative is required for manufacturers outside the EU.
  • Clinical evidence and a clinical evaluation must demonstrate safety and performance for all device classes.

Pre-Market Requirements

CE Marking and Conformity Assessment

Manufacturers must demonstrate conformity with EU MDR 2017/745, obtain CE marking, and for Class IIa and above involve a notified body in the conformity assessment process.

Technical Documentation

Complete technical documentation as specified in EU MDR Annexes II and III must be prepared, including device description, design and manufacturing information, risk analysis, and clinical evidence.

Clinical Evaluation

A clinical evaluation per EU MDR Article 61 and Annex XIV is mandatory for all device classes. For Class III and implantable devices, clinical investigations may be required.

EUDAMED Registration

Manufacturers must register in the European Database on Medical Devices (EUDAMED), including actor registration, UDI/device registration, and certificate data.

Post-Market Requirements

Post-Market Surveillance (PMS)

Manufacturers must implement a PMS system proportionate to the risk class. For Class IIa, IIb, and III devices, a periodic safety update report (PSUR) is required.

Vigilance and Incident Reporting

Serious incidents and field safety corrective actions must be reported to BASG in accordance with EU MDR Article 87. Trend reporting is also required.

Post-Market Clinical Follow-Up (PMCF)

PMCF activities must be conducted as part of the clinical evaluation to continuously confirm safety and performance throughout the device's lifecycle.

International Recognition & Reliance

European Union

As an EU member state, Austria's CE-marked devices are accepted across all EU/EEA markets under mutual recognition.

Switzerland

Under the updated Swiss-EU Mutual Recognition Agreement, CE-marked devices from EU member states including Austria are recognized in Switzerland with certain conditions.

Stay on top of regulatory changes in Austria

Qalico monitors publications from BASG in real time, surfacing updates that matter to your device category — so your team never misses a critical change.