Author: Suzanne Broussard, PhD

The Premarket Notification 510(k) Program is the pathway used by manufacturers of low- to moderate-risk devices that are substantially equivalent (SE) to a device already on the market in order to begin the process of legally marketing in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) release of 4 updated 510(k) guidance documents on September 13, 2019 was intended to both help streamline the FDA reviewer process and help sponsors save time and resources.  

The 510(k) Program is required for any device that does not need a Premarket Approval Application (PMA) and does not meet the specified exceptions. The sponsor must demonstrate that a device is at least as safe and effective, e.g. SE, to a legally marketed device that is not subject to PMA. The 510(k) submitters must receive a SE order from the FDA in order to market the device in the U.S. The SE determination typically takes 90 days, although that time is decreasing. Indeed, faster response times are one of FDA’s anticipated outcomes of these 4 guidance documents. The FDA hopes another outcome will be more guidance for the sponsors to streamline their submission process which will save time and resources. These outcomes are prevalent throughout the document and summarized in the FDA statement that 510(k) submissions “address the recommendations of an FDA guidance document should be easier to prepare by manufacturers and for FDA to review.” 

FDA Definition of a Legally Marketed Device 

Legally marketing a device based on a claim of substantially equivalent to devices legally marketed prior to May 28, 1976 (preamendments devices) requires the manufacturer to submit a Premarket Notification 510(k). The majority of premarket devices use the 510(k) program; hence, it is important to clarify FDA’s definition of a legally marketed device.  

A Legally Marketed Device must fit one of these 4 criteria: 

• A Device that was legally marketed prior to May 28, 1976 (preadmendments device), or 
• A device which has been reclassified from Class III to Class II or I 
• A device which has been found SE through the 510(k) process 

• A device that was granted marketing authorization via the De Novo classification process under section 513(f)(2) of the FD&C  

Note that the legally marketed device(s) used for equivalence is commonly referred to as the “predicate.”  

Here is a summary of the four 510(k) guidance documents FDA released to streamline the process and a bonus FDA webinar on Special 510(k)s. 

Refuse to Accept Policy for 510(k)s

The Refuse to Accept Policy for 510(k) Final Guidance Document contains nonbinding recommendations and supersedes the “Refuse to Accept Policy for 510(k)s” issued early in the same year (February 21, 2019). The newest Refuse to Accept (RTA) policy includes an early review that will inform the submitter within the first 15 calendar days after receipt of the 510(k) submission of issues against specific acceptance criteria with information as to the administrative completeness and if not, includes identification of missing element(s). This guidance includes checklists of which items a sponsor should include in their 510(k) submission if they want to ensure their application is reviewed in a timely fashion.  

Abbreviated 510(k) Program Final Guidance Document

The Abbreviated 510(k) Program is used by the FDA as an optional approach to the traditional 510(k) Program to demonstrate SE in premarket notifications by using guidance documents, special controls, and/or voluntary consensus standards to facilitate review of 510(k) submissions. This review relies on summary reports that “briefly describe and summarize the testing performed to support the submission as recommended in relevant guidance document(s).” 

Device manufacturers can choose the Abbreviated 510(k) pathway if the submission relies on one or more of the following: 

• FDA guidance document 
• Demonstration of compliance with special controls for the device type, either in a device-specific classification or a special controls guidance document; and/or 
• Voluntary consensus standard(s) 

Format for Traditional and Abbreviated 510(k)s

The FDA provides specific guidance for the general framework of Traditional 510(k)s and Abbreviated 510(k)s in the Final Guidance Document. These formatting guidelines do not apply to Special or other premarket 510(k) submissions. FDA believes that using this Formatting Guidance will conserve both FDA and industry resources as well as facilitate timely 510(k) review. 

Special 510(k) Program

The Special 510(k) Program is designed to provide an optional and potentially expedited pathway to legally market “well-defined device modifications where a manufacturer modified its own legally marketed device and design control procedures produce reliable results that can form, in addition to other 510(k) content requirements, the basis for substantial equivalence (SE).” 

The Special 510(k) Program: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff provides the FDA’s current thinking and intent on premarket notifications that are appropriate for review as a Special 510(k). This Final Guidance Document describes an optimal pathway for certain well-defined device modification for manufacturers that modify their own legally marketed device and clarifies the types of technological changes that are appropriate for review including changes to design, labeling, and indications for use. 

Bonus! 

To further help clarify the Special 510(k) Program, the FDA recently held a webinar to discuss the Special 510(k) Program Final Guidance, and to answer questions. It is packed with useful information for those considering filing for the Special 510(k) Program including eligibility factors and examples of devices appropriate and those not appropriate for a Special 510(k). The recording of the webinar can be accessed here.