ISO 7439:2023

Overview

ISO 7439:2023 - Copper-bearing contraceptive intrauterine devices - Requirements and tests specifies design, testing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling and clinical-evaluation requirements for single‑use, copper‑bearing intrauterine devices (IUDs) and their insertion instruments. It does not apply to IUDs made only of plastics or whose primary purpose is to release progestogens or other medicinal products, although some clauses can be relevant to medicated IUDs and non-copper designs.

This fourth edition (2023) updates clinical-performance guidance, adds requirements for packaging integrity, introduces a movable collar option for insertion instruments, and aligns instructions for health‑care providers with global family‑planning guidance.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and definitions: clear terms for IUDs, insertion instruments and thread (retrieval string).
• Clinical performance: study design considerations (duration, population, sample size), metrics such as contraceptive efficacy, expulsion and discontinuation rates, and required investigation reporting and labeling.
• Design attributes: requirements for shape, dimensions, copper components, thread and insertion instruments; tensile force, stability, viscoelastic properties and X‑ray detectability.
• Materials and biocompatibility: material selection and biological evaluation referenced to ISO 10993‑1.
• Design evaluation and tests: dimensional determination, tensile-force testing, elastic‑recovery (memory) tests, barium sulfate content and identification, pre‑clinical evaluation and detailed test reporting.
• Manufacturing, sterilization and packaging: production controls, sterilization processes and packaging integrity tests (including cited ASTM methods).
• Information and labeling: labelling of primary/secondary containers, instructions for health‑care providers and written information for clients after insertion.

Practical applications and users

ISO 7439:2023 is intended for:

• Medical device manufacturers developing or producing copper‑bearing IUDs and insertion instruments (design verification, risk management, production control).
• Regulatory and quality teams preparing submissions, clinical-evaluation plans and labeling to meet international expectations.
• Test laboratories conducting physical, chemical and mechanical tests (tensile, memory, packaging integrity, X‑ray detectability).
• Health‑care organizations and procurement evaluating device specifications, instructions for use and shelf‑life/packaging integrity.
• Clinical researchers designing clinical investigations in line with ISO 14155 and the clinical‑performance guidance in ISO 7439.

Related standards (selected)

• ISO 10993‑1 (biological evaluation of medical devices)
• ISO 14155 (clinical investigation - good clinical practice)
• ISO 14630 (non‑active surgical implants - general requirements)
• ISO 14971 (risk management for medical devices)
• ISO 15223‑1 (symbols for medical device information)
• ASTM packaging integrity methods and relevant Pharmacopoeia references

Keywords: ISO 7439:2023, copper-bearing IUDs, intrauterine devices, insertion instruments, requirements and tests, clinical performance, packaging integrity, medical device standards.