Under this “New Approach,” the Commission of the European Communities is working
on a harmonized, community-wide legislation, which is addressed in the medical
device sector by three directives: the Active Implantable Medical Device Directive
(AIMD), the Medical Device Directive (AIMD), the Medical Device Directive (MD), and
the In Vitro Diagnostics Directive (IVDs). The EU medical device legislation covers a
large range of products. Therefore, it must address a range of risks associated with medical
devices. The legislation relates to such items as electromedical equipment, surgical
instruments, implants, single-use products, reagents for in vitro diagnosis, and laboratory
equipment for clinical laboratories, all of which are covered by the term medical device.
The relevant EU directives govern the placement on the market of products not only
within the 15 member states of the European Union but, in practice, the whole European
economic area, including Norway, Iceland, and other associated countries.