BIVDA is pleased to put its support behind the Department for International Trade’s awareness week for export trade. The In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Industry values the support they have provided to our sector to facilitate export sales over the years and have found the life science specialists in Embassies and Consulates around the world are a great source for information and local expertise.
The IVD industry in the UK has an established export market with companies often choosing to export first because of the low, slow adoption of new tests and technology by the NHS. We also have many products developed specifically for the developed world, often for diagnosis of diseases which aren’t endemic in our own country, such as Chikengunya and Dengue Fever.
Despite this, many of these tests have been CE marked by the manufacturers, showing they met the requirements of the EU IVD Directive as this enabled them to have a Free Sales Certificate – this is essential for export sales to many countries who don’t have their own regulations as it gives reassurance of the product quality.
There is some risk that overseas markets may not recognise the UK regulations,when they come into force, in the same way as they have with the EU CE mark. This could put UK manufacturers at a disadvantage in the future.
With the huge global Trade show, MEDICA, in Dusseldorf later this month, our member companies will be busy preparing to show their diagnostic solutions and innovative new products to distributors from around the world and BIVDA wishes them every success.
