FDA to expand Quality Management System (QMS) Requirements for Medical Devices effective February 2026

If your medical device is on the market in the US or you are planning to launch it soon, you will need to make modifications to your Quality Management System (QMS) as soon as possible.

If your MedTech or Digital Health company is presently engaged with the FDA, or you are planning to do so in the near future, an important QSR) rule amendment is in effect that will impact medical device design and development, manufacturing and commercialization practices in the US.    

FDA Quality Management System Regulation (QMSR) to replace Quality System Regulation (QSR)
The FDA’s Quality Management System requirements are changing. The existing QSR regulation will be augmented to include the new QMSR requirements to more closely align with ISO 13485 standards with notable additions. The deadline is approaching fast and becomes effective on February 2, 2026.

Whether your company is already on the market in the US or working on it, if you are:

  • Currently developing a QMS with Canadian, US or European scope.
  • Already ISO 13485 or MDSAP-certified.
  • Already FDA QSR-compliant.

Your firm will need to do some work to integrate the new QMSR requirements into your development processes.

Do you have questions on how the expanded Food & Drug Administration Quality Management System Requirements (QMSR) for Medical Devices impacts your firm?
Contact BML Health today and find out.

We encourage MedTech firms to move fast to address these updates if they haven’t already. A failure to follow the new Quality Management System Regulation (QMSR) requirements may lead to delays and setbacks in medical device market activity in the US.  

If your company needs support, BML Health is ready to help with our close partners in QMS services. We can provide gap assessments or full hands-on compliance support as required.

Some of the changes that the new QMSR process will require include:

  • Formal Audits:
    Internal and supplier audits must now be available for FDA review, just as in ISO 13485.
  • Quality Manual Updates:
    The quality manual will need to reflect new terminology and requirements aligned with ISO 13485.
  • Updates to Risk Management:
    Risk management practices must be more explicitly integrated and documented throughout the quality system.
  • Supplier Controls:
    Supplier evaluation and controls will need to meet the detailed expectations set in ISO 13485.
  • Record Controls:
    All records, including audit and risk management files, must be maintained and accessible using the ISO 13485 structure.

What should MedTech companies do next
If your MedTech company is a BML Health client we have more than likely been in close contact and are actively conducting meetings to assess your needs and plan for the integration of the new QMSR requirements.

If your firm is not a BML Health client and you have questions or concerns on how the new QMSR requirements will impact your company we invite you to contact us to book a meeting and plan your compliance to avoid any issues in the US market in the new year.

BML Health will continue to provide updates on the Food & Drug Administration’s expanded Quality Management System Requirements (QMSR) for Medical Devices as necessary and again we invite you to keep in touch and contact us if you have questions.


About BML Health
We support innovative Medtech companies that are shaping the future of healthcare. BML Health understands the impact of emerging technology in MedTech and Digital Health. Get in touch with us to learn how our iterative, lean and efficient approach to product development, clinical validation and regulatory affairs can help your organization get its MedTech solutions to market and gain adoption.

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BML Health

At the intersection of medical technology, clinical research and patient-centric health care, we manage the complex stakeholder interactions necessary to get digital health solutions to market and gain adoption.