MDR Annexes II and III

MDR technical documentation: Annex II and III

The technical documentation is the evidence that a device meets the MDR. Annex II sets out its structure; Annex III covers post-market surveillance. A complete, well-indexed file is the single biggest factor in Notified Body review time.

Annex II structure

SectionContent
1. Device description and specificationIntended purpose, users, principles of operation, risk class and classification rule, Basic UDI-DI, variants and accessories, previous and similar generations
2. Information supplied by the manufacturerLabels and instructions for use in the languages of the Member States where the device is sold
3. Design and manufacturing informationDesign stages, manufacturing processes and their validation, sites including suppliers and subcontractors
4. General safety and performance requirementsGSPR checklist with the method used to demonstrate conformity, standards and common specifications applied, and references to evidence
5. Benefit-risk analysis and risk managementBenefit-risk analysis and the risk management solutions adopted (Annex I, Sections 1 and 8)
6. Product verification and validationPre-clinical and clinical data - bench testing, biocompatibility, software verification and validation, clinical evaluation report and PMCF plan

Annex III: post-market surveillance

The post-market surveillance plan (Article 84) and, depending on class, the PMS report or the periodic safety update report are part of the technical documentation. See post-market surveillance, PSUR and PMCF.

Common reasons for Notified Body questions

1

Intended purpose

Inconsistent wording between IFU, labels, clinical evaluation and risk file.

2

GSPR checklist

Requirements marked "not applicable" without justification.

3

Clinical evidence

Equivalence claims that do not meet MDR Article 61 and Annex XIV.

4

Traceability

No clear link between risks, design inputs, tests and IFU warnings.

Frequently asked questions

What is in MDR Annex II?

The structure of the technical documentation: device description and specification, information supplied by the manufacturer, design and manufacturing information, general safety and performance requirements, benefit-risk analysis and risk management, and product verification and validation.

What does Annex III cover?

Technical documentation on post-market surveillance: the PMS plan and the PMS report or PSUR.

Does a Class I device need technical documentation?

Yes. All classes need technical documentation under Annexes II and III; for Class I devices it supports the manufacturer's own declaration of conformity.

Related

Post-market surveillance, PSUR and PMCF

Annex III and Articles 83-86.

Clinical evaluation

CER strategy.

Note: This guide provides general information about Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) and Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (IVDR), not legal advice. Check the consolidated text on EUR-Lex and the relevant MDCG guidance for your device. Last reviewed 30 September 2026.