Newsletter

Japan: Complete Revision of the Description of Main and Additional Functions for the Certification of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) – August/September 2026

Japan: Complete Revision of the Description of Main and Additional Functions for the Certification of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) – August/September 2026

  • 2026-09-21 02:52:44

In Japan, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) within certification criteria is reviewed and certified by Registered Certification Bodies (RCBs). Any product that exceeds the definition of its generic name, established certification standards, or the range of equivalence to predicate devices is subject to be reviewed by PMDA for approval.
Recently, it has been discovered that several cases in which the main and additional functions of SaMD products exceeded the certification scope. PMDA published this notice to prevent the recurrence of similar inappropriate certifications by standardizing and clarifying the requirements for describing software functions (Reference 1).

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MALAYSIA: Revision to the Requirements for Foreign Manufacturer Contact Details in the Requirement for Labelling of Medical Devices (MDA/GD/0026) – June/July 2026

MALAYSIA: Revision to the Requirements for Foreign Manufacturer Contact Details in the Requirement for Labelling of Medical Devices (MDA/GD/0026) – June/July 2026

  • 2026-07-27 03:35:56

The Medical Device Authority (MDA) of Malaysia has published a revised guidance document, MDA/GD/0026: Requirements for Labelling of Medical Devices. This revision updates the requirements for inclusion of foreign manufacturer contact details on medical device labels. The revised requirements took effect on 22 May 2026.

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Taiwan: TFDA Releases New Guidance on Good Machine Learning Practice (GMLP) for AI-Based Medical Devices – May/June 2026

Taiwan: TFDA Releases New Guidance on Good Machine Learning Practice (GMLP) for AI-Based Medical Devices – May/June 2026

  • 2026-06-26 06:18:15

On 4 June 2026, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced the Good Machine Learning Practice (GMLP): Development and Management Principles for Artificial Intelligence Medical Devices, providing a lifecycle management framework for AI-enabled medical devices. The guidance outlines 10 key principles covering product design, data quality, clinical evaluation, human oversight, cybersecurity, and post-market monitoring, while further aligning Taiwan's regulatory expectations with international AI medical device frameworks.

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MALAYSIA: Joint Announcement for Full Implementation of Medical Devic Regulatory Reliance Programmed Between MDA (Malaysia) and Thai FDA (Thailand) – April/May 2026

MALAYSIA: Joint Announcement for Full Implementation of Medical Devic Regulatory Reliance Programmed Between MDA (Malaysia) and Thai FDA (Thailand) – April/May 2026

  • 2026-05-22 06:47:10

The Medical Device Authority (MDA) of Malaysia and the Thailand Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) have officially announced the successful completion of a three-month pilot phase, which took place from 1 February 2026 to 30 April 2026. Following this pilot phase, the full implementation of the MDA–Thai FDA Medical Device Regulatory Reliance Programme will now apply to the registration of Class B, Class C, and Class D medical devices.

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Thailand: Why is Thailand's Medical Device Industry a Magnet for Investors? – April/May 2026

Thailand: Why is Thailand's Medical Device Industry a Magnet for Investors? – April/May 2026

  • 2026-05-26 08:23:40

Thailand's medical device industry is rapidly emerging as a prime destination for global investors, driven by strong local and regional demand, government support, and a robust regulatory framework. The sector’s growth is fueled by an aging population, increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, and a rebound in medical tourism. These factors, combined with Thailand's abundant raw materials and institutional support, position the country as a leading hub for medical device innovation and production.

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SINGAPORE: HSA ATTAINS HIGHEST LEVEL RECOGNITION FROM WHO FOR MEDICAL DEVICE REGULATORY SYSTEM – March/April 2026

SINGAPORE: HSA ATTAINS HIGHEST LEVEL RECOGNITION FROM WHO FOR MEDICAL DEVICE REGULATORY SYSTEM – March/April 2026

  • 2026-04-23 09:11:50

Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has achieved the World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 4 for medical device regulatory systems, the highest classification under WHO's global benchmarking framework. The recognition, announced on 10 March 2026 during the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) 29th session in Singapore, strengthens Singapore's position in global medical device regulation as a trusted reference authority for other regulators.

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Thailand: Recommendations on Applicable Standards for Active Medical Device Registration in Thailand – January/February 2026

Thailand: Recommendations on Applicable Standards for Active Medical Device Registration in Thailand – January/February 2026

  • 2026-02-25 04:43:48

Thai FDA has provided recommendations on applicable international standards for particular types of active medical devices to support medical device registration in Thailand. These standards are presented as advisory references only and are intended to assist the registrants in preparing relevant test reports in accordance with the ASEAN Common Submission Template Dossier (CSDT).

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