Regulatory framework for 3D printed custom-made devices in Europe

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) has been growing continuously over the past 20 years, enabling unprecedented tailoring to the anatomy of each patient. In Europe, custom-made devices qualify for an exemption and pass a simplified approval process. New technologies, like AM, provoke questions about the adequacy of the current regulatory framework for custom-made devices. This article addresses the regulatory requirements for such devices in Europe and discusses the implications for AM. It concludes that the legal framework for custom-made devices entails uncertainties which need to be resolved to guide manufacturers through the regulatory requirements, highlighting the specific areas of focus for AM.