In February 2026, Malaysia’s Medical Device Authority (MDA) and the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) formally launched a pilot Regulatory Reliance Programme for medical devices. This initiative marks a significant step toward deeper regulatory collaboration within ASEAN and reflects a broader global shift toward reliance-based assessment models. What Is the Regulatory Reliance Pilot? The pilot programme enables Malaysia and Thailand to leverage each other’s regula

In early 2026, India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) , issued a new draft guidance document aimed at simplifying and clarifying the regulatory requirements for importing In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) medical devices into the Indian market. The draft guidance, officially titled “ Guidance for Import of In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device” (No. CDSCO/IVD/GD/DRAFT/IMP/01/2026), was released for public feedback in January 2026 and invites co

Taiwan continues to reinforce its position in global medical device regulation, as the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has been re-elected to chair Working Group 3 (Pre-market: Software as a Medical Device – SaMD) under the Global Harmonisation Working Party (GHWP). This re-election is more than symbolic. It reflects sustained international confidence in Taiwan’s regulatory expertise, particularly in one of the most dynamic and technically complex areas of medical

Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has officially released the Indonesian Standard Industrial Classification (KBLI) 2025, marking a significant update to the business activity classification framework that underpins licensing, compliance, and economic reporting across the country. The new KBLI was promulgated through BPS Regulation No. 7 of 2025 on 18 December 2025, replacing the previous KBLI 2020 and taking effect immediately. KBLI serves as the authoritative cla

In early 2026, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) was formally recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a WHO Listed Authority (WLA) for the regulation of medical products. This designation confirms that Australia’s regulatory system meets the highest global standards for oversight of medicines, vaccines, biologics, and medical devices. More importantly, it signals a continued shift toward regulatory reliance and international harmonisation. What I

Hong Kong is taking another step toward strengthening regulatory oversight of medical devices, this time through procurement controls. Recent developments under the Medical Device Administrative Control System (MDACS) indicate that medical devices must now meet specific registration requirements before being eligible for procurement by public healthcare institutions. While MDACS has historically operated as a voluntary listing system, its practical role in procurement is beco

On 4 January 2026, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued an important regulatory announcement adjusting parts of the Medical Device Classification Catalogue (Announcement No. 132 of 2025). The update introduces targeted changes to the classification and technical descriptions for 31 categories of medical devices, effective immediately. These revisions reflect the NMPA’s continued effort to modernise regulatory oversight by aligning product categori

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has introduced an important regulatory development for medical devices with the issuance of Circular No. 57/2025/TT-BYT on 31 December 2025. This guidance provides a structured classification framework for medical devices in the context of procurement, clarifying how devices should be grouped based on technical standards and quality requirements. The new rules will take effect on 15 February 2026, with classification requirements applying from

The Medical Device Authority (MDA) of Malaysia has issued Circular Letter No. 1/2026, establishing formal procurement requirements for medical devices supplied to healthcare facility institutions under the Medical Device Act 2012 (Act 737). This policy was approved during the MDA Authority Meeting No. 1/2026 and took effect on 28 January 2026. This Circular Letter marks a significant step in reinforcing regulatory clarity and compliance for all parties involved in tender pro

Uzbekistan is strengthening its regulatory framework for medicines and medical devices by approving updated state registration procedures under Resolution No. 738, dated 24 November 2025. The new procedures, formally published on the LexUz national legislation portal , are set to take effect on 26 February 2026. This legislative reform represents a significant step in modernising the country’s regulatory landscape, aligning administrative processes more closely with intern

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria has intensified its regulatory engagement with retail stakeholders, urging supermarkets and large retail outlets to ensure that products offered to consumers are safe, quality-assured, and appropriately authorised by regulatory standards. This development highlights Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to enhance public health protection and improve regulatory compliance across the healthcare and cons

On 15 January 2026 , the Health Sciences Authority (HSA ) of Singapore and the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral regulatory cooperation in the oversight of pharmaceuticals and health products. The signing took place in Jakarta, representing a meaningful step forward in the regional coordination of regulatory activities and public health protection. Both regulatory authorities bring significant experi

Hong Kong is taking a decisive step toward strengthening its healthcare regulatory landscape with the planned establishment of the Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR). This move signals a significant shift in how drugs and medical devices will be regulated in the city, reinforcing Hong Kong’s ambition to become a leading international hub for medical innovation. Why CMPR Matters Currently, Hong Kong regulates pharmaceuticals and medical devices through different a

Cyberjaya, January 2026 , Malaysia has taken a significant step toward strengthening patient safety in the aesthetic and beauty sector. The Medical Device Authority (MDA) has officially gazetted the Medical Device (Prescribed Medical Devices) Order 2026, which will come into force on 1 June 2026. This new order expands regulatory oversight over specific medical devices commonly used in aesthetic and cosmetic treatments, reinforcing Malaysia’s commitment to safe, ethical, and

On 28 November 2025 , Russia implemented significant changes to its medical device regulatory oversight system managed by the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor). Roszdravnadzor updated its approach to compliance inspection and market surveillance by introducing a risk-based model with preventive visits and formal remote supervision requirements. This regulatory shift marks a departure from routine scheduled inspections in favour of a more targete

In a major regulatory development, Ukraine’s Ministry of Health officially approved the Guidelines on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) for Medical Devices (Order No. 1771) on 21 November 2025 . This marks the first time Ukraine has adopted a dedicated methodological framework for HTA of medical devices, enabling practical implementation of policy mandates that were previously difficult to operationalise. Health Technology Assessment is an evidence-based evaluation process

Kazakhstan has introduced significant regulatory changes to its medical device and pharmaceutical registration framework as the country continues to align with wider Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) requirements. These developments impact manufacturers, authorised representatives, and importers seeking market access in Kazakhstan and across the EAEU. Amendments to Registration Procedures (Nov 2025) On 18 November 2025 , Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health issued amendments to the r

On 1 December 2025 , the Medical Device Authority (MDA) of Malaysia announced an update to the enforcement timeline for the country’s Medical Device Import Permit requirement. The enforcement, originally scheduled to take effect on January 2, 2026, has now been postponed to July 1, 2027. This extension gives industry stakeholders additional time to prepare for full compliance with the new import control framework under the Customs (Prohibition of Import) Order 2023. The

On 12 December 2025, the United Kingdom and Singapore announced a landmark regulatory collaboration aimed at accelerating patient access to breakthrough health technologies. The initiative, known as the Regulatory Innovation Corridor, brings together the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in a first-of-its-kind coordinated fast-track pathway. This new framework allows developers of high-impact healt

South Korea has taken another major step toward shaping the future of digital health regulation. In late November 2025, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released an updated guidance document providing clearer, more structured expectations for the development, approval, and lifecycle management of AI-enabled and software-based medical devices. As artificial intelligence continues to transform diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient monitoring, regulatory autho