The technology to assign, apply and verify identification codes to a wide range of products is an invaluable asset. Benefits are varied and apply to numerous industries such as the medical sector where Unique Device Identification (UDI) is the accepted method for identifying and tracking medical devices throughout their life-cycles, from production through to distribution and finally consumer use. The implementation of product codes onto medical devices results in more efficient recall procedures, the reduction of medical errors, increased inventory visibility and supply chain security. The unique codes applied to each item during the manufacturing stages will provide the supply chain management system with critical information, such as what the product is, and where and when it was produced. In the event a recall is necessary due to a product being faulty, the code is crucial to unlocking the so-called ‘chain of custody’, allowing the item in question to be traced back to its origin.

As is the case with other industries, counterfeit products can harm a medical brand in many ways, from affecting business revenues to destroying consumers’ faith in the brand through poor-quality imitations. More crucially, fake products can endanger consumers’ health. Illicit trade can be even more detrimental, as it goes beyond simple counterfeiting to encompass equally damaging activities such as product diversion, where entirely genuine products are deflected from intended channels into ones unauthorised by the manufacturer.

With this in mind, item-level identification proves to be useful in helping to distinguish legitimate products from the false ones, while also assisting governments to stem the erosion of revenues and jobs caused by illicit trade. As of May 2020 manufacturers must now adhere to the EU Medical Device Regulation. The aim of this is to improve the safety and performance of Medical Devices, create the conditions to modernise the sector and to consolidate the EU’s role as a global leader.

Given this unprecedented time, where it is now mandatory to wear a medical mask in various social situations, many businesses are manufacturing face masks to appease increasing demand. However as these are considered medical devices, they must be marked with relevant data in order to adhere to the EU Medical Device Regulation. Codico can help you code your medical devices and comply with all relevant regulations!

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