Health Canada has released Phase II of its Medical Device Establishment Licensing (MDEL) Modernization Framework, introducing enhanced compliance expectations, strengthened oversight of foreign manufacturers, updated documentation requirements and a stronger focus on post-market safety. These changes are essential for manufacturers exporting medical devices to Canada.

Health Canada has begun automatically canceling MDEL licenses for operators who have not complied with the mandatory annual review. The measure affects distributors and importers of medical devices in Canada and has serious consequences, such as interruption of operations, the need to resubmit license applications, and product retention.