Design Controls

Joseph Tartal

Branch Chief, Postmarket and Consumer Branch

Division of Industry and Consumer Education

Office of Communication and Education

Center for Devices and Radiological Health

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of design controls in device 

quality and why they are a quality system requirement.

• Know the Quality System Regulation requirements for 

design controls and learn how its sections interact with one 

another and the rest of the quality system.

• Understand the continual role design controls play in both 

premarket and postmarket device development.

www.fda.gov
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Design Controls – What are They?

• Set of quality practices and procedures

• Control the design process to assure that the 

device meets:

-User needs 

 -Intended uses 

 -Specified requirements

• Can improve and prevent future issues.

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Design Controls – Why? 

• 44% of voluntary recalls from October 1983 through 

September 1989 may have been prevented by adequate 

design controls.

Source: ‘‘Device Recalls: A Study of Quality Problems’’ (see 55 FR 21108, May 22, 1990) and “QS 

Regulations (Final Rule)” (see 61 FR 52602, October 07, 1996)

• The most frequent causes for recalls are related to Design, 

Software, and Non-Conforming Materials/Components.

Source: “Medical Recall Report FY2003 to FY2012” (CDRH Office of Compliance, Division of Analysis and 

Program Operations)

www.fda.gov
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Design Controls - Regulatory History

• Safe Medical Device Act of 1990 authorized FDA to add 

Design Controls to the current Good Manufacturing Practice 

(cGMP) requirements for medical devices.

• The Quality System (QS) Regulation became effective on June 

1, 1997 and replaced the 1978 GMP for medical devices.

• Preamble to the QS Regulation is extremely important for 

understanding the intent of Design Controls.

www.fda.gov
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Design Controls 21 CFR 820.30

 Design controls apply to:

– All Class II and Class III medical devices 

– Only these Class I medical devices: 

1. Devices automated with computer software

2. Tracheobronchial suction catheters

3. Surgeon's gloves

4. Protective restraints

5. Manual radionuclide applicator system

6. Radionuclide teletherapy source

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Design Controls - When to Start?

• Where research ends and design begins

• After Feasibility/“Proof of Concept”

• When you plan to bring your device to market

• Prior to start of any Investigation Device Exemption 

(21 CFR 812)

• Premarket

• Mechanism of change/revision

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Requirements for Design 

Controls

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Design Controls – Where to Start?

Design Planning: Establish, maintain and document

– Describe or reference design and development activities.

– Identify, describe, and define interfaces, responsibilities, and 

functions/activities impacting device design.

– Review, document, approve, and update as development and 

changes evolve.

www.fda.gov
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Design Input 21 CFR 820.30(c)

• Design inputs are the physical and performance characteristics 

of a device that are used as a basis for device design.

• Establish and maintain procedures for Design Input:

– Ensure requirements are appropriate by addressing user needs 

and intended use(s) in terms that are measurable.

– Address incomplete, ambiguous, or conflicting requirements.

– Document, review, and approve input requirements.

www.fda.gov
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Design Input: Example

User Need Example: “Portable” 

– Define as “End user must hand carry device”

– Consider dimensions and weight

– Identify conflicting requirements (different units of measure)

 5 lbs ± 1 kg 

– Resolve discrepancies

 5 lbs ± 1 lbs

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Human Factors

Human factors are the study of the interactions 

between humans and device (i.e., interface) and 

the subsequent design of the device-human 

interface. It plays an important role in Design 

Control.

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Examples of Design Input

• Device functions

• Physical characteristics

• Performance 

• Safety

• Reliability

• Standards 

• Regulatory requirements

• Human factors

• Labeling & packaging

• Maintenance

• Sterilization

• Compatibility with other 

devices

• Environmental limits

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Design Output 21 CFR 820.30(d)

• Design outputs are the results of a design effort at each 

design phase and at the end of the total design effort. 

• Establish and maintain procedures for Design Output:

– Define and document design output in terms that allow an 

adequate evaluation of conformance to design input.

– Reference definable/measurable acceptance criteria.

– Identify design outputs essential for the proper functioning of the 

device. 

– Review, approve, and document design output before release.

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Design Review 21 CFR 820.30(e)

Design Review is a documented, comprehensive, 

 systematic examination to:

– Appropriately review the design at appropriate stages

– Include appropriate representation 

– Evaluate adequacy of the design requirements.

– Evaluate capability of the design to meet requirements.

– Identify any problems.

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Design Verification 21 CFR 820.30(f)

• Design verification is confirmation by objective 

evidence that design output meets design input. 

• Establish and maintain procedures for Design 

Verification:

– Confirm through measurable means (e.g., test reports, etc.).

– Review, approve and document in Design History File (DHF).

www.fda.gov
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Design Validation 21 CFR 820.30(g)

• Design Validation means establishing by objective 

evidence that specifications (specified requirements) 

conform with user needs and intended use(s).

• Establish and maintain procedures for Design 

Validation:

– Under defined operating conditions.

– On initial production units, lots, or batches (or their equivalents).

– Under actual or simulated use conditions.

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Design - Verification vs. Validation

• Design Verification

– Output meets Input 

– “I made the product correctly.”

• Design Validation 

– Specifications meet user needs and intended use(s)

– “I made the correct product.” 

www.fda.gov
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Risk Analysis 

QS Regulation: Design validation shall include software 

validation and risk analysis, where appropriate

– “Where Appropriate”: required unless 

manufacturer can justify otherwise

– Almost always appropriate to perform risk analysis

– Perform initial risk analysis earlier during design 

inputs

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What is Risk Analysis?

Intent of Risk Analysis per Preamble Comment #83:

• Identify possible hazards, including use error

• Calculate risk, under normal and fault conditions

• Determine risk acceptability

• Reduce unacceptable risks to acceptable levels

• Ensure changes made do not introduce new hazards

www.fda.gov
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Additional Resources on Risk

• Implementation of risk management principles and 

activities within a Quality Management System - GHTF 

- 2005 

www.imdrf.org/docs/ghtf/final/sg3/technical-docs/ghtf- sg3-n15r8-risk-management-principles-qms-050520.pdf 

• ISO 14971:2007/(R)2010 Medical Devices – Application 

of risk management to medical devices 

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Design Transfer 21 CFR 820.30(h)

Establish and maintain procedures to ensure correct 

Design Transfer into production specifications.

– Is the Design accurately transferred to Production?

– A final stage of development is frequently done to 

ensure all outputs are adequately transferred.

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Design Controls Continual Role in 

Premarket and Postmarket Device 

Development

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Design Changes 21 CFR 820.30(i)

Establish and maintain procedures for the 

identification, documentation, validation or where 

appropriate verification, review, and approval of 

design changes before their implementation. 

www.fda.gov
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Design History File 21 CFR 820.30(j)

Design History File (DHF) means a compilation of records 

which describes the design history of a finished device. 

• Establish and maintain a design history file for each type 

of device.

• Include in the DHF, or reference records information 

necessary to demonstrate that the design was developed 

in accordance with the Design Plan and Quality System 

requirements. 

www.fda.gov
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Additional Design Controls Resources

• Design Control Guidance For Medical Device 

Manufacturers 

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationand

Guidance/GuidanceDocuments/ucm070627.htm 

• Human Factors and Medical Devices

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationand

Guidance/HumanFactors/default.htm 

www.fda.gov
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Call to Action

• Meet your regulatory requirements for design controls 

per 21 CFR 820.30.

• Use cross functional teams to design your device.

• Ensure you design controls address user needs, 

intended use and defines appropriate specifications .

• Use design controls to build quality, safety, 

effectiveness and savings into your medical device.

www.fda.gov
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Industry Education Resources

Three Resources

1. CDRH Learn – Multi-Media Industry Education  over 115 modules  videos, audio recordings, power point presentations, software-based “how to” modules  mobile-friendly: access CDRH Learn on your portable devices

http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn

2. Device Advice – Text-Based Education  comprehensive regulatory information on premarket and postmarket topics

www.fda.gov/DeviceAdvice

3. Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE)

 Contact DICE if you have a question  Email: DICE@fda.hhs.gov  Phone: 1(800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 (Hours: 9 am-12:30 pm; 1 pm-4:30pm EST)  Web: www.fda.gov/DICE

www.fda.gov
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