The Summary Technical Document (STED) format for regulatory submissions is a harmonized submission format developed by the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF), a voluntary partnership of government and industry representatives from the United States of America and four other member states: Australia, Canada, the European Union, and Japan. GHTF promotes international harmonization of medical device regulation through the preparation and distribution of guidelines such as the proposed STED format.
The proposed harmonized format and content is described in the document titled, “Summary Technical Documentation for Demonstrating Conformity to the Essential Principles of Safety and Performance of Medical Devices,” which represents the proposed STED document. The document was developed by Study Group 1 (SG1) of GHTF and issued as a proposed document on December 16, 2003. While the use of the STED format is still in its early stages, it has the long-term potential to standardize the format of regulatory submissions across jurisdictions. The STED harmonized submission format is already accepted by multiple regulatory authorities worldwide.
In June 2003, CDRH implemented a voluntary pilot premarket review program intended to assess the feasibility of the STED format and content for certain PMA applications and 510(k) submissions. During the pilot, the GHTF “draft STED document,” together with the FDA Guidance titled, “A Pilot Program to Evaluate a Proposed Globally Harmonized Alternative for Premarket Procedures,” will serve as an alternative to the submission procedures described in previous FDA guidance documents. This program will continue until CDRH receives a sufficient number of STED-formatted applications to allow a conclusive evaluation of the suitability of this format.
CDRH encourages medical device manufacturers to participate in the STED Pilot Program. Manufacturers will benefit from exposure to the STED preparation process, especially those seeking international regulatory approval/clearance for their devices. In addition, greater industry participation in this program will increase CDRH’s familiarity with STED submissions and will allow CDRH to provide constructive feedback to GHTF on the current STED format.
All of the review divisions within CDRH’s Office of Device Evaluation are currently participating in the STED Pilot Program. These divisions are:
Examples of devices reviewed by these divisions that are eligible for STED submissions include:
The STED format may not be appropriate for all devices, such as devices incorporating novel technology or new intended uses. You should speak with the appropriate review division prior to preparing your submission to determine if a STED submission is appropriate for your device.
Submissions that are not eligible for participation in the STED Pilot Program are:
In addition, not all types of PMA supplements are eligible for participation. You should speak with the appropriate review division prior to preparing your submission to determine whether the STED format is suitable for your intended PMA supplement.
CDRH now allows Accredited Persons to review STED-formatted 510(k)s for those Class I and II devices that are also eligible for third party review. A list of devices eligible for 510(k) third party review is located at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfThirdParty/current.cfm#4.
For further information regarding the Third Party Review Program, please contact Mr. Eric J. Rechen at (240) 276-4040 or eric.rechen@fda.hhs.gov.
For further information regarding the STED Pilot Program at CDRH, please contact Harry R. Sauberman, P.E., at harry.sauberman@fda.hhs.gov or (240) 276-3745, or Kenneth J. Cavanaugh Jr., Ph.D., at kenneth.cavanaugh@fda.hhs.gov or (240) 276-4141.
Updated April 8, 2008
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