EU MDR & IVDR: new harmonised standards for medical device sterilisation, safety, biocompatibility, disinfection, clinical investigation

On 10 November 2026, the Official Journal of the EU published two decisions on harmonised standards under the EU Medical Devices Regulations (MDR and IVDR). Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2479 amends harmonised standards under the EU MDR, while Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2481 amends one harmonised standard under the EU IVDR.

Harmonised standards translate EU legal requirements into common technical specifications. Once cited in the EU Official Journal, they provide a presumption of conformity, helping reduce trade barriers, facilitate market access, and ensure safety and interoperability.

New and revised harmonised standards under the EU MDR

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2479 amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1182 as regards harmonised standards for the following:

  • Sterilisation of health care products
  • Clinical investigation of medical devices for human subjects
  • Natural rubber latex male condoms
  • Biological evaluation of medical devices
  • Washer-disinfectors
  • Medical electrical equipment
  • Small-bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications

The revision of those standards resulted in the adoption of harmonised standards EN ISO 11137-1:2026 and EN ISO 14155:2026:

Annex to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2479

The revision of further standards resulted in the adoption of the following new harmonised standards:

Annex to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2479

Revised harmonised standards under the EU IVDR: sterilisation of health care products

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2481 amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1195 as regards the harmonised standard for sterilisation of health care products under the EU IVDR.

The Commission made a request to CEN and CENELEC for the revision of existing harmonised standards on in vitro diagnostic medical devices developed in support of Directive 98/79/EC. The revision of that standard resulted in the adoption of the superseding harmonised standard EN ISO 11137-1:2026:

Annex to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2481

Contact MDlaw Team here for any questions on European standards, regulations, and compliance.

References:

Eur-Lex (2026). Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2479 of 9 November 2026 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1182 as regards harmonised standards for sterilization of health care products, clinical investigation of medical devices for human subjects, natural rubber latex male condoms, biological evaluation of medical devices, washer-disinfectors, medical electrical equipment and small-bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications. Retrieved on 10 November 2026.

Eur-Lex (2026). Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2481 of 9 November 2026 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1195 as regards the harmonised standard for sterilization of health care products. Retrieved on 10 November 2026.

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