Back to Explorer

General Wellness: Policy for Low Risk Devices: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff

FinalCenter for Devices and Radiological Health09/27/2019

Description

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuingthis guidance documentto provide clarity to industry and FDA staff on the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) compliance policy for low risk products that promote a healthy lifestyle (general wellness products).1This guidance does not apply to products (e.g., drugs, biologics, dietary supplements, foods, or cosmetics) regulated by other FDA Centers or to combination products.2

Scope & Applicability

Product Classes

5
General Wellness Products

low risk products that promote a healthy lifestyle

Combination Product

Products combining drug, device, or biological constituents; Generally recommended for Enhanced Documentation; Requires 14971-based framework incorporating ICH Q9; A drug-device combination where the device constituent part detects ingestion.

General Wellness Product

Products intended for maintaining or encouraging a general state of health

Class II Device

Devices subject to section 522 postmarket surveillance orders; devices subject to postmarket surveillance orders

low risk general wellness product

A product that meets both factors for a low risk general wellness product.

Regulatory Context

Attributes

3
Low Risk

Criteria for a product to be covered by the general wellness policy

Invasive

Product that penetrates or pierces the skin or mucous membranes; If the product is intended to enhance delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients, the product would be invasive.

noninvasive

The product is noninvasive as it does not penetrate the stratum corneum.

Identified Hazards

Hazards

3
Radiation Exposure

Risk that may pose a safety concern to users; Risks from lasers or radiation exposure.

Electrical Stimulation

Risk associated with neurostimulation products

lasers

Risks from lasers or radiation exposure.

Related CFR Sections (5)

Related Warning Letters (10)

  • CGMP/QSR/Medical Devices/Adulterated

    Envoy Medical Inc.

    2025-12-09
  • CGMP/QSR/Medical Devices/Adulterated

    Hong Qiangxing Shenzhen Electronics Limited

    2025-11-25
  • CGMP/QSR/Medical Devices/Adulterated

    Contec Medical Systems Co., Ltd.

    2025-10-28
  • CGMP/QSR/Medical Devices/Adulterated/Misbranded

    Royal Philips

    2025-10-28
  • CGMP/QSR/Medical Devices/Adulterated/Misbranded

    Qianjiang Kingphar Medical Material Co Ltd.

    2025-10-28
  • CGMP/QSR/Medical Devices/Adulterated

    LEVO AG

    2025-10-21
  • CGMP/QSR/Medical Devices/Adulterated

    Technological Medical Advancements LLC

    2025-10-07
  • Medical Device Reporting/Misbranded

    Insung Medical Co. Ltd.

    2025-09-30
  • Medical Device/Adulterated/Misbranded/Lacks PMA and/or 510(k)

    The Richline Group, Inc.

    2025-09-23
  • Investigational Device Exemptions (IDE)/Premarket Approval Application (PMA) Adulterated Device

    SeniorLife Technologies, Inc.

    2025-09-16

See Also (8)