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CDSCO Certification for Operating Theatre

CDSCO Certification for Operating Theatre

Looking for CDSCO approval for operating theatre devices? UMSPCS offers expert regulatory support for medical device manufacturers and importers in India.

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CDSCO Certification for Operating Theatre: Requirements, Process, Cost & Timeline

The operating theatre is all about precision, safety, and reliability; all the equipment used in the course of a procedure, such as surgical lights and operating tables, electrosurgical units, suction systems, and surgical instruments, can have a direct effect on patient care.

However, there is a significant regulatory point that manufacturers, importers, and suppliers frequently fail to consider: the operating theatre as a whole is not usually given a single 'CDSCO certificate'. Rather, medical devices intended for use in an operating theatre are regulated based on their intended purpose and on their applicable risk classification within India's medical device framework.

CDSCO certification for operating theatres is important to businesses that manufacture, import, or distribute surgical and operating-theatre medical devices in India.

Medical devices are classified by the CDSCO based on their risk, the low-risk ones being assigned to Class A, those with low to moderate risk to Class B, moderate to high risk to Class C, and high-risk devices to Class D. The regulatory pathway that applies will vary according to the device in question, its classification, whether it is manufactured or imported, and other regulatory factors.

If you intend to bring an operation-theatre device into the Indian market, it is important to get the classification and the regulatory pathway correct from the start in order to avoid unnecessary testing, documentation gaps, and delays in the application process.

What does CDSCO certification for the operation theatre entail?

The term CDSCO Certification for Operation Theatre refers to the regulatory approval or licensing requirements that apply to medical devices used in operation theatres.

The Medical Devices Rules, 2017 (MDR 2017), are responsible for the regulation of medical devices in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which operates under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

The CDSCO has issued a specific classification list relating to medical devices used in operating theatres. The list includes a range of products such as distractors and retractors, suction systems, surgical lights, scalpels, forceps, electrosurgical units, infusion pumps, multiparameter monitors and surgical robot units.

Hence, a manufacturer should not merely apply for an "operation theatre certificate"; the first thing to do should be to ask themselves:

Just what is the medical device, what is its intended purpose, and which risk class does it fall into?

For instance, a general-purpose electrosurgical unit listed for use in operation theatres is given a classification of Class C, while a surgical light system is classified as Class A in the CDSCO's operation theatre classification document. This distinction can have a significant impact on the regulatory pathway.

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What Operation Theatre Devices Are Included?

The document on the classification of operation theatres produced by CDSCO is useful when it comes to identifying devices and their risk categories.

Some examples include:

  • Operation table systems
  • Surgical light systems
  • Portable electrical/pneumatic suction systems
  • Vacuum-operated suction systems
  • Scalpels and scalpel blades
  • Surgical forceps
  • Hemostatic clip appliers
  • Hemostatic knives
  • General-purpose electrosurgical units
  • Warming high-flow infusion pumps
  • High-flow blood transfusion pumps
  • Multiparameter monitors with critical parameters
  • Surgical robot units
  • General-purpose manually operated operation tables
  • Powered general-purpose operation tables
  • Surgical probes, punches, files and staple removers

The classification may also vary depending on features such as whether or not they are sterile; for instance, the CDSCO table provided lists non-sterile hemostatic clip appliers as being in Class A and sterile hemostatic clip appliers as Class B. This same distinction applies to several surgical instruments.

Which is why the classification of medical devices in India should be carried out before deciding on the application route.

Operation Theatre Medical Device Classification Table

The table given below has been taken from the CDSCO classification document attached for operation-theatre medical devices; the source document refers to it as Appendix-A, File No. 29/Misc./03/2020-DC (199), published by the Drugs Controller General (India), Directorate General of Health Services, CDSCO.

S. No.

Device Name

Intended Use

Risk Class

1

Distractor/Retractors

A surgical device used to separate connected surfaces and to retain their positions to allow a surgical operation to be performed.

A

2

Suction system portable, Electrical/Pneumatic

A device that generates negative pressure used for such treatment as the aspiration of liquid or granular substances.

A

3

Suction system operated by vacuum

A device used for such treatment as the aspiration of liquid or granular substances by using negative pressure supplied by the hospital's medical gas supply system at bedside for use on a patient.

A

4

Operation table system

A complete surgical table system intended to change the patient's position and enable attaching various table accessories that aid in surgery.

A

5

General-purpose diagnosis/treatment table

A table for general diagnosis and procedures in an examination room to aid in patient examination.

A

6

Surgical light system

An illuminator device intended to provide optimal light and colour rendering to aid in performing surgery.

A

7a

Non-sterile Hemostatic clip applier

A surgical device designed to apply a hemostatic clip for ligation of a blood vessel.

A

7b

Sterile Hemostatic clip applier

A surgical device designed to apply a hemostatic clip for ligation of a blood vessel.

B

8

Hemostatic knife

The blade intended to transmit heat directly to body tissues to achieve hemostasis.

B

9a

Non-sterile Scalpel

An instrument used to sever and separate body tissues during surgery.

A

9b

Sterile Scalpel

An instrument used to sever and separate body tissues during surgery.

B

10

Scalpel blade

A blade intended to be attached to the handle of a scalpel.

B

11a

Non-sterile Surgical forceps

A surgical or dental device that is used to clamp and sever the cartilage, bone and other hard tissues.

A

11b

Sterile Surgical forceps

A surgical or dental device that is used to clamp and sever the cartilage, bone and other hard tissues.

B

12

General-purpose electrosurgical unit

A unit used to resect/ablate the tissue or to coagulate the incision/wound site with high-frequency waves.

C

13

Long-term use enterostomy feeding tube

A hollow device to be placed surgically in the stomach, duodenum, or jejunum to provide enteral nutrition. It is for long-term use.

C

14

Warming high-flow infusion pump

A device to be used for heating and rapidly infusing blood or other fluids during surgical procedures involving major bleeding, or for burns or injuries.

C

15

High-flow blood transfusion pump

A device to be used for rapidly infusing blood or other fluids during surgical procedures involving major bleeding, or for burns or injuries.

C

16a

Non-sterile Staple remover

A metal or plastic surgical instrument used to remove staples from a surgical wound or incision that no longer requires stapling to stay closed.

A

16b

Sterile Staple remover

A metal or plastic surgical instrument used to remove staples from a surgical wound or incision that no longer requires stapling to stay closed.

B

17a

Non-sterile Surgical punch

A surgical instrument used to create a hole for suturing or anastomosis of a tissue, blood vessel, etc.

A

17b

Sterile Surgical punch

A surgical instrument used to create a hole for suturing or anastomosis of a tissue, blood vessel, etc.

B

18a

Non-sterile Surgical file

A manually operated, hand-held surgical instrument with a series of bumps or teeth on its surface that is used to smooth out, grind off, or sever tissues.

A

18b

Sterile Surgical file

A manually operated, hand-held surgical instrument with a series of bumps or teeth on its surface that is used to smooth out, grind off, or sever tissues.

B

19a

Non-sterile Blood vessel surgical stripper

A surgical instrument used for complete or partial vascular resection.

A

19b

Sterile Blood vessel surgical stripper

A surgical instrument used for complete or partial vascular resection.

B

20a

Non-sterile Surgical probe

The device is used to explore sinuses, fistulae, and other cavities and wounds.

A

20b

Sterile Surgical probe

The device is used to explore sinuses, fistulae, and other cavities and wounds.

B

21

Multiparameter monitor with critical parameters

A unit that collects monitoring parameters including ECG, blood pressure, body temperature, cardiac output and respiratory gases, along with other critical parameters, and displays data by bed or by patient.

C

22

Surgical robot unit

An operation support device used in open surgery or endoscopic surgery that performs treatment of tissues including suturing, detaching and severing, and installing a prosthesis.

B

23

Motorized diagnostic imaging view box

A device equipped with an electric, mechanical, or software-controlled motor that retains, retrieves, and projects light for direct observation of medical images taken using methods such as X-ray, MR, CT, and ultrasound and recorded in radiographic film.

A

24

General-purpose manually-operated operation table

A completely mobile surgical table intended for almost all parts of the body requiring surgery. Manual or hydraulic operation.

A

25

Powered general-purpose operation table

A completely mobile surgical table intended for almost all parts of the body requiring surgery. Electrically line or battery operated.

A

26

Operation table system

A system consisting of several components forming a complete surgical table system, used to replace tabletops, change the patient's position, and transfer the patient to and from the operating room.

A

What is the Importance of CDSCO Certification for Devices Used in Operating Theatres?

The regulatory approach applicable to medical devices used in surgery should be one that is proportionate to the risks involved.

Although a surgical light seems simpler when compared with an electrosurgical unit or a multiparameter monitor, each of these devices has a specific intended use and follows a particular regulatory pathway.

Under MDR 2017, medical devices are divided into four risk categories:

Risk Class

Risk Level

Class A

Low Risk

Class B

Low-Moderate Risk

Class C

Moderate-High Risk

Class D

High Risk

For businesses, correct classification is important since it has an effect on the CDSCO licence for medical devices, the testing, the quality-management requirements, the documentation, the authority involved, and the overall compliance strategy.

For instance, a manufacturer of a Class C general-purpose electrosurgical unit cannot just take the same regulatory route as a manufacturer who is dealing with a low-risk Class A device.

Who Needs CDSCO Certification for Medical Devices?

The requirement can apply to businesses involved in:

  • Manufacturing medical devices in India
  • Importing medical devices into India
  • Manufacturing devices for sale or distribution
  • Operating under a loan-licence arrangement
  • Introducing new medical devices into the Indian market

The regulatory pathway of CDSCO separates manufacturing from importing activities as well as the different risk classes. Thus, manufacturing applications belonging to Classes A and B are usually dealt with by the State Licensing Authority, whereas those belonging to Classes C and D are managed by the Central Licensing Authority. Import licences for medical devices covering all classes from A to D are processed by the Central Licensing Authority.

There is also an important exception concerning Class A non-sterile and non-measuring medical devices, since they are covered by a separate registration procedure instead of the normal licensing system.

We should establish the precise status of the product before starting the application.

Requirements for CDSCO Certification for Operation Theatre Devices

The success of an application will depend on the product and its regulatory classification, but applicants should usually expect to have to provide information and documentation in a number of categories.

  • Product Details
  • Technical Documentation
  • Quality Management System
  • Test Reports
  • Site and Device Master Information

Who Needs CDSCO Certification for Gastroenterological Medical Devices?

The certification may be required for:

  • Medical device manufacturers from India
  • Exporters of foreign-manufactured devices into India
  • Authorized Indian Representatives (AIRs)
  • Importers
  • Brand owners
  • Private label manufacturers
  • Contract manufacturers
  • Medical device distributors of notified products

Each of these categories of applicants has separate requirements under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017.

Key Compliance Considerations Before Applying

Before applying for approval, it is recommended that you make sure that:

  • The product is properly classified
  • The correct regulatory path is selected
  • Technical documents are current
  • The device is properly labeled according to Indian regulations
  • Quality management system documents are ready
  • Test reports are available
  • The CDSCO application form has been selected

An Authorized Indian Representative has been appointed in case of a foreign manufacturer.

Proper preparation at this stage will greatly help to avoid regulatory questions and speed up the whole approval procedure.

Requirements for CDSCO Certification for Operation Theatre Devices

The success of an application will depend on the product and its regulatory classification, but applicants should usually expect to have to provide information and documentation in a number of categories.

  • Product Details
  • Technical Documentation
  • Quality Management System
  • Test Reports
  • Site and Device Master Information

CDSCO Certification Process for Operating Theatre Devices


Knowledge of the CDSCO certification process will help the manufacturers and importers avoid delays in certification.

CDSCO Certification Process for Operating Theatre Devices

The way to get CDSCO Certification for Operating Theatre devices is to first determine the correct classification of the medical device as specified in the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. The device's classification is based on its nature, intended use, and the risk associated with it.
Points to Be Considered:
  • Identification of the applicable risk class - Class A, B, C, or D
  • Intended use and purpose of the operation theatre device
  • Technical characteristics and functionality of the device
  • Applicable regulatory requirements
  • Verification of the device classification with the relevant CDSCO classification information
  • For example, the list of classification categories prepared by CDSCO for operation-theatre devices covers items such as surgical light systems, operation table systems, suction systems, and general-purpose electrosurgical units, together with their corresponding risk classes.

    Step 2: Preparation of the Required Documentation

    After the device has been classified and the appropriate regulatory pathway identified, the following step is to prepare the documentation needed for the CDSCO Medical Devices Certification Application. Key Documents That Could Be Required Include:
  • Device Master File (DMF)
  • Plant/Site Master File (PMF/SMF), where applicable
  • ISO 13485 Certificate
  • Technical specifications of the device
  • Test reports, where applicable
  • Risk management documentation
  • Product labels and artwork
  • Instructions for Use (IFU)
  • Manufacturer details
  • Applicant/importer details, where applicable
  • Details of the manufacturing site
  • The documentation must correctly depict the operation theatre device and be kept consistent in the technical, manufacturing, and regulatory records.

    Step 3: Preparation of the CDSCO Application

    Once all the necessary documentation has been gathered, the following step is to draw up the correct CDSCO application for the particular device and regulatory activity. The application must give full and consistent details about the applicant, the manufacturer, and the medical device.
    Important Points to Consider:
  • Selection and completion of the applicable CDSCO application form
  • Product name, model, and technical specifications
  • Intended use and purpose of the device
  • Manufacturer and manufacturing-site details
  • Applicable risk classification
  • Regulatory and technical information
  • Uploading the required supporting documents
  • Ensuring consistency between the application and submitted documents
  • If there is a discrepancy concerning the product name, the model, the intended use, the manufacturer's details, or the technical documentation, it could lead to regulatory inquiries or delays

    Step 4: Online Filing of the Application

    When the application and the relevant documents are ready, it should then be submitted via the specified online regulatory system together with the appropriate government fees.
    Important Points to Consider:
  • Uploading the required documents
  • Entering accurate product and applicant information
  • Payment of applicable government fees
  • Online submission of the application
  • Checking the application for completeness before final submission
  • Keeping records of the submitted application and documents
  • Appropriate preparation at this stage will help in reducing deficiencies that could have been avoided during a regulatory review.

    Step 5: CDSCO Scrutiny and Regulatory Assessment

    Once the application has been submitted, the relevant regulatory authority carries out a review. This review may include the technical information, the product documentation, the test reports, the manufacturing details, and all the other information that has been submitted with the application. The authority might ask for more information, further clarification, or supporting documents depending on the medical device classification and the relevant regulatory pathway, and in some cases an inspection or audit could also be carried out.
    Key Areas of Assessment May Include:
  • Review and verification of submitted documents
  • Evaluation of technical and regulatory information
  • Assessment of applicable test reports
  • Review of manufacturing-related information
  • Responding to deficiency letters or queries raised by the authority
  • Submission of additional information, wherever required
  • Inspection or audit of the manufacturing facility, where applicable
  • It is important to provide timely and accurate answers to regulatory questions to keep the application process on track.

    Step 6: Grant of CDSCO Licence

    When the application has met the relevant regulatory requirements, the appropriate CDSCO licence or approval will be granted depending on the type of activity and the regulatory pathway. The licence that applies will be different according to whether or not the applicant plans to manufacture or import the operation-theatre medical device.
    Important Points to Consider:
  • Grant of the applicable CDSCO licence
  • Authorization for manufacturing or import, as applicable
  • Compliance with applicable post-approval requirements
  • Maintenance of technical and regulatory documentation
  • Compliance with applicable quality and safety requirements
  • Ongoing compliance with the Medical Devices Rules, 2017
  • Acquiring the licence does not mark the conclusion of the compliance process; manufacturers and importers should keep the required records and meet their relevant regulatory obligations throughout the entire lifecycle of the medical device.

    CDSCO Certification Cost for Operation Theatre Devices

    There is no fixed or standard fee for CDSCO Certification of Operation Theatre devices; the total cost will vary according to the particular medical device, its risk classification, the relevant regulatory pathway, and the amount of testing and documentation needed.

    The total cost may include the following components:

    Cost Component

    Depends On

    Government fee

    Medical device risk class and application type

    Product testing

    Device type and applicable testing requirements

    Laboratory charges

    Tests required and laboratory selected

    Clinical evaluation

    Whether applicable to the specific device

    Documentation

    Complexity of the technical documentation

    Inspection/Audit

    Whether inspection or audit is applicable

    Consultancy

    Scope of professional regulatory support

    Import-related compliance

    Manufacturer, product and applicable import pathway

    The government fees in question are set out in the Second Schedule to the Medical Devices Rules of 2017 and may differ depending on the particular application and regulatory route.

    How Long Does it Take to Obtain CDSCO Certification for Devices Used in Operating Theatres?

    The time taken to obtain CDSCO certification in India will differ from one operation-theatre medical device to another; a low-risk surgical instrument has different requirements from a higher-risk device such as an electrosurgical unit or a multiparameter monitor.

    The overall timeline can be influenced by:

    • Classification of the medical device
    • Completeness and availability of documents
    • Technical documentation requirements
    • Product testing requirements
    • Laboratory testing time
    • Clinical evaluation, where applicable
    • Application preparation and submission
    • CDSCO review and queries
    • Inspection or audit, where applicable

    Stage

    Estimated Timeline

    Product Classification

    2 - 5 Working Days

    Documentation Preparation

    1 - 3 Weeks

    Application Submission

    2 - 5 Working Days

    CDSCO Review & Query Handling

    Varies depending on product complexity

    Grant of Registration/License

    Subject to successful regulatory review

    The timeline given above is only an approximate estimate and should not be regarded as a standard timeline for all applications of medical devices to CDSCO. The actual time taken may vary according to the type of device, its risk class, the testing requirements, the completeness of the documentation, and the regulatory queries.

    Common Challenges Businesses Face for Devices Used in Operating Theatres

    Applications tend to become complicated since businesses start off with documentation rather than with classification.

    Common issues include:

    • Incorrect classification
    • Incomplete technical documentation
    • Wrong application route
    • Sterile/non-sterile confusion
    • Unclear product grouping
    • Testing delays

    What makes UMSPCS the Choice CDSCO Certification for Devices Used in Operating Theatres?

    Picking the correct compliance partner can make it easier to manage the regulatory process, especially in the case of a product that has a number of models, various technical specifications, or is classified as higher risk.

    UMSPCS provides businesses with a structured method for obtaining CDSCO Certification for medical devices, starting with an assessment of the product and carrying on with documentation and assistance with the application.

    Because of our experience and support in relation to more than 600 product compliance requirements and our more than 6 years of experience, our method is centered on understanding the product in fact before suggesting a regulatory path.

    Our support can include:

    • Product and intended-use assessment
    • CDSCO risk-classification support
    • Applicable regulatory pathway identification
    • Documentation checklist preparation
    • Technical-documentation coordination
    • Testing and laboratory coordination
    • Application preparation
    • Online filing support
    • Regulatory query support
    • Post-submission coordination

    Rather than handling all operating-theatre products in the same manner, UMSPCS assesses the specific requirements of each device and assists the applicant in developing a clearer compliance strategy. Read more also: CDSCO Certification for Hospital Medical Devices

    Conclusion

    Looking at the possibility of manufacturing or importing a medical device for use in operating theatres in India?

    Before you spend money on testing or on preparing the entire application, you should first work out the right CDSCO classification, the applicable licence route, the documentation requirements, and the estimated cost.

    No matter what type of equipment you are dealing with, such as a surgical light, an operation table, a suction system, an electrosurgical unit, a surgical instrument, an infusion pump, a patient monitor, or any other operation-theatre device, the right regulatory pathway begins with the product itself.

    For information on CDSCO Certification for Operation Theatre devices in India, contact UMSPCS.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Not at all; the CDSCO regulates medical devices on an individual basis according to their intended use and the risk classification applicable to them. The term 'CDSCO Certification for Operation Theatre' usually means that the devices intended for use in the operation theatre comply with the relevant requirements.

    The exact requirements vary according to the particular device and its regulatory position. The CDSCO has issued a classification list relating to several operation-theatre medical devices, such as surgical lights, operation tables, suction systems, and electrosurgical units.

    Medical devices are divided into classes A, B, C, or D depending on the level of risk, and the appropriate class is determined by reference to the MDR 2017 framework and CDSCO's classification information.

    The testing requirements will vary according to the device in question, its risk class, and the relevant regulatory pathway; when testing is required, it should be planned using an appropriate medical-device testing laboratory.

    Generally, those who import regulated medical devices have to follow the appropriate CDSCO import-licensing procedure, since the exact requirements will vary according to the device and its classification; a product assessment therefore has to be carried out before import.

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