Harmonised Standards for MDR

With the new regulation for medical devices (MDR (EU) 2017/745) new standards need to be harmonized by the European Commission. In this post we inform about the most important questions and provide a list of current harmonised standards, published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Current list of harmonised Standards for MDR (updated June 2026)

No.StandardVersionAmendmentTitle
1EN ISO 10993-232021superseded, presumption of conformity until 14.12.2027Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 23: Tests for irritation
1aEN ISO 10993-232021A1:2025Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 23: Tests for irritation
2EN ISO 111352014A1:2019Sterilization of health care products – Ethylene oxide – Requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices
3EN ISO 11137-12015A2:2019Sterilization of health care products – Radiation – Part 1: Requirements for development, validation and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices
4EN ISO 11737-22020 Sterilization of health care products – Microbiological methods – Part 2: Tests of sterility performed in the definition, validation and maintenance of a sterilization process
5EN ISO 254242019A1:2022Sterilisation of health care products – Low temperature steam and formaldehyde – Requirements for development, validation and routine control of a sterilisation process for medical devices
6EN ISO 10993-92021 Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 9: Framework for identification and quantification of potential degradation products
7EN ISO 10993-122021superseded, presumption of conformity until 14.12.2027Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 12: Sample preparation and reference materials
7aEN ISO 10993-122021A1:2025Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 12: Sample preparation and reference materials
8EN ISO 11737-12018A1:2021Sterilization of health care products – Microbiological methods – Part 1: Determination of a population of microorganisms on products
9EN ISO 13408-62021 Aseptic processing of health care products – Part 6: Isolator systems
10EN ISO 134852016AC:2018 A11:2021Medical devices – Quality management systems – Requirements for regulatory purposes
11EN ISO 141602021 Sterilization of health care products – Liquid chemical sterilizing agents for single-use medical devices utilizing animal tissues and their derivatives – Requirements for characterization, development, validation and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices
12EN ISO 15223-12021superseded, presumption of conformity until 16.06.2031Medical devices – Symbols to be used with information to be supplied by the manufacturer – Part 1: General requirements
12aEN ISO 15223-12021A1:2025Medical devices – Symbols to be used with information to be supplied by the manufacturer – Part 1: General requirements
13EN ISO 17664-12021 Processing of health care products – Information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer for the processing of medical devices – Part 1: Critical and semi-critical medical devices
14EN IEC 60601-2-832020A11:2021; superseded, presumption of conformity until 14.12.2027Medical electrical equipment – Part 2-83: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of home light therapy equipment
14aEN IEC 60601-2-832020A11:2021 A1:2025Medical electrical equipment – Part 2-83: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of home light therapy equipment
15EN 2852015A1:2021Sterilization – Steam sterilizers – Large sterilizers
16EN ISO 149712019A11:2021Medical devices – Application of risk management to medical devices
17EN ISO 10993-102023 Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 10: Tests for skin sensitisation
18EN 455-32023 Medical gloves for single use – Part 3: Requirements and testing for biological evaluation
19EN ISO 10993-152023 Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 15: Identification and quantification of degradation products from metals and alloys
20EN ISO 10993-172023superseded, presumption of conformity until 14.12.2027Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 17: Toxicological risk assessment of medical device constituents
20aEN ISO 10993-172023A1:2025Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 17: Toxicological risk assessment of medical device constituents
21EN ISO 10993-182020A1:2023Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 18: Chemical characterization of medical device materials within a risk management process
22EN ISO 11137-22015A1:2023Sterilization of health care products – Radiation – Part 2: Establishing the sterilization dose
23EN ISO 11607-12020A1:2023Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices – Part 1: Requirements for materials, sterile barrier systems and packaging systems
24EN ISO 11607-22020A1:2023Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices – Part 2: Validation requirements for forming, sealing and assembly processes
25EN ISO 17664-22023 Processing of health care products – Information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer for the processing of medical devices – Part 2: Non-critical medical devices
26EN ISO 13408-12024 Aseptic processing of health care products – Part 1: General requirements
27EN 455-12020A2:2024Medical gloves for single use – Part 1: Requirements and testing for freedom of holes
28EN 455-22024 Medical gloves for single use – Part 2: Requirements and testing for physical properties
29EN 556-12024 Sterilization of medical devices – Requirements for medical devices to be designated “STERILE” – Part 1: Requirements for terminally sterilized medical devices
30EN 556-22024 Sterilization of medical devices – Requirements for medical devices to be designated “STERILE” – Part 2: Requirements for aseptically processed medical devices
31EN 1865-22024 Patient handling equipment used in ambulances – Part 2: Power assisted stretcher
32EN 1865-62024 Patient handling equipment used in ambulances – Part 6: Powered chairs
33EN 13795-12025 Surgical clothing and drapes – Requirements and test methods – Part 1: Surgical drapes and gowns
34EN 13795-22025 Surgical clothing and drapes – Requirements and test methods – Part 2: Clean air suits
35EN 146832025 Medical face masks – Requirements and test methods
36EN 141802025 Sterilizers for medical purposes – Low temperature steam and formaldehyde sterilizers – Requirements and testing
37EN ISO 71972024 Neurosurgical implants – Sterile, single-use hydrocephalus shunts
38EN ISO 10993-42017A1:2025Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 4: Selection of tests for interactions with blood
39EN ISO 141552020A11:2024Clinical investigation of medical devices for human subjects – Good clinical practice
40EN ISO 146302024 Non-active surgical implants – General requirements
41EN ISO 176652024 Sterilization of health care products – Moist heat – Requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices
42EN ISO 18562-12024 Biocompatibility evaluation of breathing gas pathways in healthcare applications – Part 1: Evaluation and testing within a risk management process
43EN ISO 18562-22024 Biocompatibility evaluation of breathing gas pathways in healthcare applications – Part 2: Tests for emissions of particulate matter
44EN ISO 18562-32024 Biocompatibility evaluation of breathing gas pathways in healthcare applications – Part 3: Tests for emissions of volatile organic substances
45EN ISO 18562-42024 Biocompatibility evaluation of breathing gas pathways in healthcare applications – Part 4: Tests for leachables in condensate
46EN ISO 215352024 Non-active surgical implants – Joint replacement implants – Specific requirements for hip-joint replacement implants
47EN ISO 215362024 Non-active surgical implants – Joint replacement implants – Specific requirements for knee-joint replacement implants
48EN ISO 80369-22024 Small-bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications – Part 2: Connectors for respiratory applications
49EN 130602025 Sterilizers for medical purposes – Small steam sterilizers – Requirements and testing
50EN 142222021A1:2025Stainless steel steam boilers
51EN IEC 60118-02024 Electroacoustics – Hearing aids – Part 0: Measurement of the performance characteristics of hearing aids
52EN ISO 1135-42025 Transfusion equipment for medical use – Part 4: Transfusion sets for single use, gravity feed
53EN ISO 1135-52025 Transfusion equipment for medical use – Part 5: Transfusion sets for single use with pressure infusion apparatus
54EN ISO 10993-12025 Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 1: Requirements and general principles for the evaluation of biological safety within a risk management process
55EN ISO 10993-52009A11:2025Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 5: Tests for in vitro cytotoxicity
56EN ISO 128702025 Ophthalmic optics – Spectacle frames – Requirements and test methods
57EN ISO 146072025 Non-active surgical implants – Mammary implants – Specific requirements
58EN ISO 148892025 Ophthalmic optics – Spectacle lenses – Fundamental requirements for uncut finished lenses
59EN ISO 15883-12025 Washer-disinfectors – Part 1: General requirements, terms and definitions and tests
60EN ISO 15883-22025 Washer-disinfectors – Part 2: Requirements and tests for washer-disinfectors employing thermal disinfection for critical and semi-critical medical devices
61EN ISO 15883-32025 Washer-disinfectors – Part 3: Requirements and tests for washer-disinfectors employing thermal disinfection for human waste containers
62EN ISO 15883-72025 Washer-disinfectors – Part 7: Requirements and tests for washer-disinfectors employing chemical disinfection for non-critical thermolabile medical devices and health care equipment
63EN ISO 226752025 Prosthetics – Testing of ankle-foot devices and foot units – Requirements and test methods
64EN ISO 239082025 Sharps injury protection – Sharps protection mechanisms for single-use needles, introducers for catheters and needles used for blood testing, monitoring, sampling and medical substance administration – Requirements and test methods
65EN 60601-12006A13:2024Medical electrical equipment – Part 1: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance

What is a harmonised Standard?

A harmonised standard is a European standard developed by a recognised European Standards Organisation like CEN, CENELEC, or ETSI. It is created following a request from the European Commission to one of these organisations. EN standards, or harmonised standards, are an integral part of CE marking. Manufacturers, other economic operators, or conformity assessment bodies can use harmonised standards to demonstrate that products, services, or processes comply with relevant EU legislation.

The references of harmonised standards must be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Do all harmonised Standards apply to my Device?

No, not all harmonised standards apply to your device. For example if your device is non-sterile, all standards concerning sterilization do not apply to your device.

How do I use harmonised Standards?

First, use the list above as a checklist and identify all standards applicable to your device. Be aware, that many different standards and regulations will also apply to your device. And not all standards will be harmonised. You should maintain a list of applicable standards as part of your documentation.

Some standards will completely apply to your company or device, whereas other standards will only partially apply. Some standards will help you directly, while other standards will be used by testing facilities and laboratories that conduct the testing for you.

Secondly, download a GSPR Checklist here and use it to identify all requirements applicable to your device. In order to show compliance with each and every safety and performance requirement, you need to identify the corresponding standard(s). Proof the conformity of your device, for example by testing (some conducted by yourself, other conducted by external testing facilities) and document it in your GSPR checklist.

What is the difference between ISO and EN?

ISO is a standardisation institute and its’ standards are identified with ‘ISO’ and a numeric code, for example ISO 13485. Once the European Commission harmonised a certain standard, it will be identified with ‘EN’ as well, for example EN ISO 13485. Another prefix might be added once a Member State does a translation of the standard, for example DIN EN ISO 13485.

As soon as a standard is harmonised by the European Commission all Member States are obliged to adopt it and withdraw conflicting standards.

Should I use the harmonised Standard instead of a newer non-harmonised one?

This is a question wildly discussed in the regulatory field. There a those who say that an older harmonised standard should be used. In our opinion, however, official mills grind slowly and the harmonisation process is often a few steps behind. In order for you to proof that you at least fulfilled the technical state-of-the-art, we recommend orienting yourself on the latest standards, even if not harmonised yet. Get into contact with your NB and get a confirmation, though. Transparent and timely communication with your NB is definitely in order here.

What is the difference between EN Standards, EU Directives, and EU Regulations?

A Regulation law or legislative act is immediately binding to all EU member states like France, Belgium, Germany or any other European country. The EU member states do not have to ratify the act into their domestic laws.

A Directive is a legislative act setting out overall goals and objectives. In contrast to the Regulation, it is not applicable directly to all European countries. Instead, each EU country needs to adopt the necessary national laws to translate the Directive into domestic laws and ensure its’ realisation.

An EN standard is a way to meet the requirements of Directives and Regulations. You use it to proof that your device meets at least the latest technical state-of-the-art.

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