Device Registration and Listing: An Introduction – Part 1

Slide 1

Hello! I'm Elias Mallis, Director of the Division of Industry and Consumer Education, in the Center for 

Devices and Radiological Health, at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Welcome to CDRH Learn, 

FDA's preeminent catalog of multi-media educational modules about medical devices and radiological 

products! In this module, we’re going to focus on one of the most foundational aspects of the medical 

device regulations: Device Registration and Listing. This is Part 1 of this introduction.

Slide 2

The process of sorting and taking inventory is common to many fields, whether it be the various colors 

available in a paint store, the food that’s currently in your refrigerator, or many other items at work and 

at home. It’s a process that helps us to get organized and account for what we have. And as you’ll learn, 

that’s a little bit about what’s involved with the registration and listing process that we have for medical 

devices.

Slide 3

This introduction is divided into two modules. For this first module – Part 1, we’re going to focus on the 

who, why and what is involved with registration and listing. In Part 2, we’ll cover the “how” and the 

process. 

Slide 4

We’re going to cover several learning objectives. First, we’ll discuss some background and key terms. 

We’ll next answer the question: “Am I required to register and list?” And finally, we’ll identify when you 

must register and list.

Slide 5

So, let’s begin with some background, definitions, and a few key terms.

Slide 6 

I’m going to say the words “registration” and “listing” a lot in this module, and these terms might seem 

interchangeable. In fact, these are distinct from each other, so it’s important to understand the 

difference. “Registration” refers to the business, which we call the establishment, and informs FDA 

where the establishment is located. “Listing” is about the activities that the establishment performs on a 

specific medical device. So, make sure to keep these themes in mind as we move along.

Slide 7

Another key phrase is “commercial distribution”. Commercial distribution refers to any distribution of a 

device intended for human use, which is held or offered for sale. 

The full definition is found in 21 Code of Regulations, CFR, 807.3(b), and includes a few details on what’s 

included as part of this scope.

Slide 8 

As defined in 21 CFR 807.3(c), “establishment” means a place of business, under one management at 

one general physical location, at which a device is manufactured, assembled, or otherwise processed. 
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Slide 9

And finally, we have the term “general controls.” These are regulatory requirements authorized by the 

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. These requirements generally apply to all medical devices, and 

you can learn more about general controls at the link shown on this slide.

Slide 10

So, let’s get into some more background. Medical device establishments are required to (1) register 

their establishment, and (2) list the devices that are manufactured, prepared, propagated, compounded, 

assembled, or processed at their establishment. The regulations mandate the use of an electronic 

registration and listing system, and also require the payment of a user fee. 

Slide 11

The regulatory authorities for device registration and listing are found both in laws and regulations. 

FDA’s regulatory authority for medical devices originated with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

Subsequent laws have been passed over time which, in turn, have continued to evolve FDA’s authority 

over this program. 

The regulatory requirements are largely described in 21 CFR 807 and provide important details involving 

definitions, provisions, and procedures. I’ve included a link to the regulation on this slide, and I 

encourage you to read this section carefully and become familiar with it. 

Slide 12

This is a good time in this introduction to note a few disclaimers that often cause confusion to our 

stakeholders. First, “registration”, or more specifically, the process for completing your registration, 

does not, in any way, indicate FDA approval or clearance of establishments or products. 

Any representation that creates an impression of official FDA approval because of registration is 

misleading and constitutes misbranding. So, for example, if you intend to market a Class II medical 

device that requires clearance of a 510(k) prior to commercial distribution, you must obtain a substantial 

equivalence determination on your 510(k) prior to doing so. It is not sufficient to merely register your 

establishment. And second, FDA does not provide certificates to establishments for device registration 

and listing.

Slide 13

Okay now, let’s get to probably the biggest question to answer in this module: “Am I required to register 

and list?”

Slide 14

This answer is a little complicated, and in part depends on where you’re located and what activities you 

perform, so we’re going to address these one at a time. Let’s first determine whether you’re a domestic 

or foreign establishment. A domestic establishment is physically located in the United States, whereas a 

foreign establishment’s physical location is outside the U.S.

Slide 15

Let’s now review the types of domestic establishments that are required to register. Keep in mind, for 

our context here, this is specific to establishments whose device is marketed in the United States.
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Slide 16

Here we list each of the establishment types that we’ll review over the next few slides. Each of these 

types is required to register.

Slide 17

Let’s start with “manufacturer”. A manufacturer is defined as an establishment that makes any article 

that meets the legal definition of a device, and makes their device by chemical, physical, biological, or 

other procedures. This includes a kit assembler.

Slide 18

A kit assembler places another establishment’s finished device into a kit. The assembler is not permitted 

to modify the device or change its intended use. In this case, the kit assembler may register as either a 

“manufacturer” or “contract manufacturer”, based on the activity being performed.

Slide 19

A manufacturer of accessories or components is a type of establishment that packages or labels the 

accessory or component that is ready to be used for any “health related purposes” to an end user. In 

other words, this is for a product that can be used as is. 

A manufacturer of export-only devices is an establishment that manufactures devices not sold in the 

U.S, and are solely intended for export to foreign countries, that is, outside the U.S. Now for a 

manufacturer of a custom device, it is helpful to go to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for how 

FDA generally interprets the limits of what is considered a custom device. The FDA guidance document 

listed here, and specifically Section V(A) provides more information about custom devices and the 

requirements for registration and listing.

Slide 20

A “remanufacturer” is defined in 21 CFR 820.3(w). This is an establishment that processes, conditions, 

renovates, repackages, restores, or does any other act to a finished device that significantly changes its 

performance, safety specifications, or intended use.

Slide 21

A “specification developer” is defined as an establishment that develops specifications for a device 

distributed under the establishment’s own name. In this situation, the establishment performs no 

manufacturing and uses a contract manufacturer to make the finished device. 

Slide 22

A “contract manufacturer” or a “contract sterilizer” is an establishment type that sterilizes or otherwise 

makes a device for, or on behalf of, a specification developer, or any other person; or, they may arrange 

manufacturing for another establishment.

Slide 23

A “repackager” is a type of establishment that packages finished devices from bulk, or repackages 

devices made by a manufacturer into different containers, excluding shipping containers. The 

repackager is not permitted to modify the device or change its intended use.
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Slide 24

A “relabeler” is a type of establishment that changes the content of the labeling from the original 

manufacturer and distributes the device under its own name. Note that this doesn’t include 

establishments that only add their own name to the labeling.

Slide 25

A “reprocessor” of a single-use device is defined as an establishment that modifies a single-use device 

that was previously used on a patient and is prepared to be used for more than one use. The 

reprocessor has responsibility for the device. A “complaint file establishment” maintains complaint files 

in accordance with 21 CFR 820.198.

Slide 26

And finally, we have the “initial importer”. As defined in 21 CFR 807.3(g), this type of establishment is 

any importer who furthers the marketing of a device from a foreign manufacturer to the person who 

makes the final delivery or sale of that device to the consumer or user. 

The initial importer does not repackage or otherwise change the container, wrapper, or labeling of the 

device or device package. So, as you can see, we reviewed a number of different types of establishments 

and activities involved with medical devices. Please review this carefully to confirm the type of 

establishment that you are, and to confirm whether you’re required to register.

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So now that we’ve covered domestic establishments, let’s review the foreign establishments that are 

required to register.

Slide 28 

Let’s start out with what’s the same for both domestic and foreign establishments. We reviewed the 

establishment types listed here in our discussion of domestic establishments that are required to 

register, and this is the same for foreign establishments.

Slide 29

In addition, two types that are specific to foreign establishments are required to register. 

A “foreign exporter” is an establishment that exports, or offers for export, a device to the United States.

This is for a device that is manufactured, prepared, propagated, compounded, or processed in a foreign 

country, and includes devices that may have been originally manufactured in the U.S. A foreign exporter 

must have an establishment address that is located outside of the United States. And a “private label 

distributor” is an establishment that exports a device manufactured and owned by another party, under 

its own name, and under a private label agreement.

Slide 30

So, now that we’ve reviewed who’s required to register, let’s review the establishment types that are 

exempted from device registration and listing. Please note that this exemption applies if the 

establishment activities are within the scope of the exemption.
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Slide 31

You’re exempt if you’re a component manufacturer that provides raw materials or components used in 

the manufacture or assembly of a device, and only to the finished device manufacturer. Recall from 

earlier, if you make a component that is ready for use, then you must register. You are exempt if you’re 

a manufacturer of devices used solely for veterinary purposes. Veterinary-use only devices are regulated 

by FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and are not within the scope of regulation by FDA’s Center for 

Devices and Radiological Health. A licensed practitioner is exempt. This is an establishment that 

manufacturers or otherwise alters a device solely for use in their own practice. In this case, the 

practitioner may not distribute the device to other practitioners. 

Slide 32

An installer by the manufacturer’s agent or by the user is exempt. A domestic distributor is exempt. This 

is an establishment type that distribute devices only from a manufacturer located in the United States.

Slide 33

A retail establishment that provides the device directly to the end user is exempt. This may include 

entities such as pharmacies and surgical supply outlets. Note that if the device comes from a foreign 

establishment, please ensure that the shipment is labeled as required.

Slide 34

And the final exemption we’ll review is a manufacturer of devices intended for research use, or 

investigational use only. This is specific to devices that are labeled as required and used solely for 

research, teaching, or analysis, and not introduced into commercial distribution. This exemption only 

applies to a domestic establishment.

Slide 35

Well, we’ve just gone over a lot of information and terminology, and it may be a lot to keep organized. 

Here’s a link on Device Advice that summarizes all of this information for you.

Slide 36

So, now that you’ve figured out whether or not you’re required to register, the next question you may 

have is: when do I do this, and what’s the deadline? Let’s get to that next. 

Slide 37

As with many things in the government, the answer is, it depends! Is this the first time ever that you are 

registering? We refer to this as “initial registration”. Or is this not your first time, but is your annual 

registration? 

Slide 38

Let’s review what’s required if this is your initial registration and listing. If you’re a domestic 

establishment, you’re required to register and list within 30 days of placing your device into commercial 

distribution. If you’re a foreign establishment, you must register and list prior to importing your device 

into the United States for the first time. 

Just like the foreign establishment, if you’re an initial importer, you’re required to register your 

establishment prior to importing your device into the U.S. for the first time. Unlike them, you don’t need 

to list your device, but you must identify the manufacturer of each imported device. A word of caution 
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for foreign establishments and initial importers. All devices imported into the United States must meet 

the regulatory requirements of both the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, as well 

as the FDA. Products that don’t meet the FDA regulatory requirements may be detained at the port of 

entry. 

Slide 39

After you’ve completed your initial registration – that is, the first time you ever register, the next times 

you register are considered your annual registration and listing. Let’s review what you need to do here. 

You must submit your annual registration between October 1 and December 31 of each year. Make sure 

to submit any necessary changes. While you’re preparing your registration, you’ll also review your listing 

information to verify that it’s accurate. This is also done annually, between October 1 and December 31 

of each year. And finally, you’re able to update your information at any time during the fiscal year if 

something changes with your establishment or device listing.

Slide 40

If you’ve previously registered your establishment and now discontinue marketing and distributing your 

device, we recommend that you deactivate your registration.

Slide 41

On the next two slides, I included a table that organizes some of the resources, links, and regulatory 

citations that we reviewed in this module.

Slide 42

I encourage you to refer to these for more details and some of the specific language that clarifies terms 

we reviewed.

Slide 43

Let’s now summarize what we covered in this module. Registration and listing is a regulatory 

requirement and general control that applies to all medical devices. There are different establishment 

types that are required to register and list. And finally, registration and listing is required at the time of 

initial distribution, and then, on an annual basis.

Slide 44

We in the Division of Industry and Consumer Education provide you with regulatory education in several 

key formats, so you can choose the most effective way you wish to learn. CDRH Learn consists of over 

200 multi-media industry education modules, such as the one that you’re watching here. These include 

videos, webinars, presentations, and various “how to guides.” Use your computer, phone, or portable 

device to click on the link shown here. Now, if you prefer to learn by reading, check out Device Advice! 

Device Advice consists of several hundred pages of comprehensive regulatory information across the 

device total product life cycle. And finally, if you have a specific question and wish to ask us directly, I 

encourage you to call or email us. Our contact information is listed here, and we look forward to 

speaking with you.
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Slide 45

Let's conclude this module with your call to action. First, identify your type of establishment and 

determine whether you need to register and list. And if the answer is yes, your second call to action: 

please watch Part 2 of this Introduction on CDRH Learn! 

Thanks for your attention to the module “Device Registration and Listing, An Introduction, Part 1.” Take 

care and we’ll see you next time!

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