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Introduction

The Medicines Act 1981 and its Regulations describe the regulatory scheme for the supply of medical devices in New Zealand. However, some medical devices may be affected by other legislation which must also be complied with before the devices may be legally supplied. Following is a summary of the key Acts and Regulations that may impact on the sale of medical devices. Other Acts and Regulations may also need to be complied with. It is the supplier's responsibility to ensure that its products comply with all applicable legislation. Medsafe is responsible for administering the Medicines Act 1981 and the Medicines Regulation 1984.

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Medicines Act 1981

This is the primary Act relating to medical devices. It provides the legal definitions for therapeutic purpose, medical device, and medicine. It also sets requirements for advertising, and establishes penalties for breaches of the Act. The key sections of the Act are: 2 - Interpretation 3A - Meaning of medical device 4 - Meaning of therapeutic purpose 37 - Powers of the Minister to Prohibit Imports etc of Medicines 38 - Restrictions on the Sale of Medical Devices 40 - Compliance with Standards 56-62 (Part 4) - Medical Advertisements 63-87 (Part 5) - Enforcement 97-115 (Part 8) - Miscellaneous Provisions Further information about the Medicines Act 1981

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Medicines Regulations 1984

These Regulations provide detail about how the Medicines Act 1981 is to be applied. The key Regulations are: 4 - Standards for Medicines, Related Products, Medical Devices, Cosmetics, and Surgical Dressings 7 - Advertisements not to claim Official Approval 10 - Advertisements of Medical Devices 12 - Medicines, Related Products, and Medical Devices not to be sold unless Properly Labelled 17 - Form and Manner of Labelling 18 - Size of Lettering 25 - Misleading Statements 62 - Medical Devices Further information about the Medicines Regulations 1984.

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Medicines (Database of Medical Devices) Regulations 2003

These Regulations established a notification database to which all sponsors of medical devices in New Zealand must input details of their products. This database is known as the Web Assisted Notification of Devices (WAND) database. The key Regulations are: 3 - Interpretation 5 - Information required to be entered in database 6 - Information and declaration to be supplied by sponsor 7 - Declaration 8 - Updated information to be supplied by sponsor 9 - Sponsor must make arrangements to ensure compliance with regulations 5, 6, and 8 10 - Prohibited statements 11 - Medical device risk classifications in general 12 - Risk classification of particular medical devices 13 - Principles for applying the risk classification rules 14 - Offences Medsafe is responsible for administering the Medicines (Database of Medical Devices) Regulations 2003. Further information about the Medicines (Database of Medical Devices) Regulations 2003 Electricity Act 1992 All electrically powered devices must comply with the requirements of this Act and its associated Regulations before they may be legally supplied in New Zealand. Energy Safety Services, a business unit of the Ministry of Economic Development, is responsible for administering the Electricity Act 1992. Futher information about the Electricity Act 1992

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Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977

This Act controls the supply and distribution of contraceptive devices in New Zealand. All contraceptive devices supplied in this country must comply with the requirements of this Act. The key section is; 6 - Standards for the manufacture of condoms The Ministry of Justice is responsible for administering the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977, but the Minister of Health has the responsibility for the approval of Standards for contraceptive devices. Information about the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977

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Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

Substances that may be hazardous to the environment or to the health of people are controlled under this Act. Devices that are potentially impacted by this Act include in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is responsible for administering the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. Information about the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 Go to the Environmental Protection Authority website

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Radiation Protection Act 1965

All irradiating apparatus used in New Zealand must comply with the requirements of this Act and its associated Regulations. The Ministry of Health Office of Radiation Safety is responsible for administering the Radiation Protection Act 1965. Information about the Radiation Protection Act 1965

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Human Tissue Act 2008

This Act controls the collection, supply, and trade of human tissue and human tissue products in New Zealand. The Ministry of Health is responsible for administering the Human Tissue Act 2008. Information about the Human Tissue Act 2008 See also Medsafe page on Human Tissue Products.

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Health (Needles and Syringes) Regulations 1998

These Regulations control the sale and supply of needles and syringes in New Zealand. These Regulations are made under Section 117 of the Health Act 1956 and Section 37 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The Ministry of Health is responsible for administering the Health (Needles and Syringes) Regulations 1998. Information about the Health (Needles and Syringes) Regulations 1998

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Health and Safety in Employment (Pressure Equipment, Cranes and Passenger Ropeways) Regulations 1999

Known as the PECPR these Regulations cover the design and inspection of pressure vessels such as autoclaves and bariatric chambers. Associated with these Regulations is an Approved Code of Practice for Pressure Equipment. The Department of Labour is responsible for administering these Regulations and associated Code of Practice. Information about the Health and Safety in Employment (Pressure Equipment, Cranes, and Passenger Ropeways) Regulations 1999 Information about the Pressure Equipment (Excluding Boilers) Approved Code of Practice

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Radiocommunications Act 1989

Devices using wireless communication must comply with this Act. Radio Spectrum Management, a business unit of the Ministry of Economic Development, is responsible for administering the Radiocommunications Act 1989. Information about the Radiocommunications Act 1989 Go to the Radio Spectrum Management website