MHRA
United Kingdom — MHRA
UK MDR 2002 (as amended) + MHRA Cyber Guidance
Authority
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Enforced
Reform program 2024–26
Legal framework
UK MDR 2002 + DTAC + NHS DSPT
Scope
Devices marketed in Great Britain (Northern Ireland follows EU MDR via the Windsor Framework). Software as a Medical Device addressed by separate MHRA Change Programme.
Pre-market
Risk-based, leverages BS EN 81001-5-1 and FDA-aligned evidence. UKCA marking with grace period for CE-marked devices.
Post-market
MORE vigilance reporting + DTAC for NHS deployment + DSPT for connected services.
SBOM
RecommendedNot mandated; encouraged via NCSC guidance and aligns with FDA expectations for dual-market devices.
Vulnerability disclosure
Encouraged via the NCSC Vulnerability Disclosure Toolkit.
Penalty
Market removal, criminal liability under Consumer Protection Act.
Unique requirements
- 01DTAC clinical safety, data protection, technical assurance for NHS
- 02DSPT compliance for hosted services
- 03International recognition route for FDA/Health Canada/TGA approvals (proposed 2025)
Highlights
- Pragmatic FDA/EU dual-recognition
- DTAC required for NHS deployment
- Future divergence from EU MDR
Aligns with
Timeline
-
Jan 2021
Brexit transition ends, UKCA introduced
-
Sep 2021
MHRA SaMD Change Programme launched
-
2024
International Recognition route consultation
-
2025–26
New Statutory Instrument expected
Key documents
MHRA Software & AI as a Medical Device Change Programme
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/software-and-ai-as-a-medical-device-change-programme
NHS Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC)
https://transform.england.nhs.uk/key-tools-and-info/digital-technology-assessment-criteria-dtac/
NCSC Vulnerability Disclosure Toolkit
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/vulnerability-disclosure-toolkit
MHRA head-to-head
Related markets
Frequently asked about United Kingdom
Is SBOM required for medical devices in United Kingdom?
Recommended. Not mandated; encouraged via NCSC guidance and aligns with FDA expectations for dual-market devices.
What does MHRA require for pre-market cybersecurity?
Risk-based, leverages BS EN 81001-5-1 and FDA-aligned evidence. UKCA marking with grace period for CE-marked devices.
What are the post-market cybersecurity obligations under MHRA?
MORE vigilance reporting + DTAC for NHS deployment + DSPT for connected services.
What is the penalty for non-compliance with MHRA cybersecurity rules?
Market removal, criminal liability under Consumer Protection Act.
How much of my FDA cybersecurity package is reusable in United Kingdom?
Roughly 80% — an editorial estimate based on overlapping evidence requirements (threat model, SBOM, security risk assessment, pen-test report).