U.S. flag An official website of the United States government
  1. Home
  2. Regulatory Information
  3. Search for FDA Guidance Documents
  4. Policy for Coronavirus Disease-2019 Tests (Revised)
  1. Search for FDA Guidance Documents

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Policy for Coronavirus Disease-2019 Tests (Revised) Guidance for Developers and Food and Drug Administration Staff January 2023

Final
Docket Number:
FDA-2020-D-0987
Issued by:
Guidance Issuing Office
Center for Devices and Radiological Health

March 24, 2023 - The FDA has finalized two guidances: Transition Plan for Medical Devices That Fall Within Enforcement Policies Issued During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency and Transition Plan for Medical Devices Issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The guidances outline the FDA's general recommendations to transition from certain policies adopted and operations implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to normal operations, including the FDA's recommendations for:

  • Developing a transition implementation plan,
  • Submitting a marketing submission, and
  • Taking other actions with respect to these devices.

The FDA encourages stakeholders to review the two final guidances, attend the webinar, and reach out to the FDA if they have questions or concerns. In particular, for manufacturers planning to seek marketing authorization for their devices, the FDA recommends beginning work on a marketing submission, including a transition implementation plan, as described in the guidances.

Additional Resources:

This is the seventh edition of this guidance, which originally issued February 29, 2020, and was subsequently revised on March 16, May 4, May 11, 2020, November 15, 2021, and September 27, 2022.


FDA plays a critical role in protecting the United States from threats such as emerging infectious diseases, including the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. FDA is committed to providing timely guidance to support response efforts to this pandemic. 

FDA is issuing this guidance to provide FDA’s review priorities and enforcement policies regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19) tests. Rapid detection of COVID-19 cases in the United States requires wide availability of testing to control the spread of this highly contagious infection. 

The policies in this guidance are intended to remain in effect only for the duration of the declaration under section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on February 4, 2020, declaring that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). FDA continues to assess the evolving situation and intends to update this guidance as appropriate.


Submit Comments

You can submit online or written comments on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115(g)(5))

If unable to submit comments online, please mail written comments to:

Dockets Management
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

All written comments should be identified with this document's docket number: FDA-2020-D-0987.

 
Back to Top