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September 29, 2026October 12, 2026
CDSCO, Compliance Guides, Import Compliance, Medical Devices

CDSCO Licence for Dialysers in India: Class C Registration, ISO 8637 and Process

A dialyser is the artificial kidney at the heart of haemodialysis — the cartridge of hollow-fibre membranes that filters a patient’s blood when their kidneys cannot. Because it is a blood-contacting device central to a life-sustaining therapy, CDSCO regulates the dialyser as a Class C device with the haemodialyser standard, sterility and biocompatibility behind the licence. This guide covers the full CDSCO registration pathway for dialysers under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017 — classification, licence route, ISO 8637, the documents, the fees and the timeline. This guide explains CDSCO registration for dialysers in India — risk class, licence forms, standards, documents, fees and timeline.

Is a CDSCO Registration Mandatory for Dialysers?

Yes. A dialyser is a notified Class C medical device and cannot be manufactured, imported or sold in India without a CDSCO licence. Because it is Class C, a domestic manufacturer applies to the Central Licensing Authority in Form MD-7 for a Form MD-9 licence. An importer applies in Form MD-14 for a Form MD-15 import licence. Dialysers, and the associated blood tubing sets and concentrates as their own devices, fall within the framework.

Risk Classification of Dialysers

Every medical device in India falls into one of four risk classes (A, B, C, D) under the First Schedule of the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. The class fixes the authority, the form, the fee, the audit route and the timeline.

Dialysers are classified as Class C (moderate-to-high risk). A dialyser is a blood-contacting device essential to a life-sustaining therapy, which places it in Class C (moderate-to-high risk) under the First Schedule. Where a device could fall in two classes the higher class applies, and an accessory is classified in its own right. Always confirm against the current CDSCO classification list.

Which CDSCO Licence You Need for Dialysers

To manufacture dialysers in India (Class C) — apply in Form MD-7 to the Central Licensing Authority (CDSCO headquarters). The licensing authority grants the licence in Form MD-9. A CDSCO joint audit team inspects the manufacturing site before the licensing authority grants the licence — site inspection is mandatory for Class C and D.
To import dialysers (any class) — the overseas manufacturer appoints an Indian Authorised Agent who files Form MD-14 with the Central Licensing Authority; CDSCO grants the import licence in Form MD-15.
Test licence — for a small quantity imported or made for testing, evaluation, demonstration or clinical investigation: Form MD-12 application, Form MD-13 licence.
Loan licence — using another licensee’s approved premises: Form MD-4 (Class A/B) or Form MD-8 (Class C/D) for a licence in Form MD-6 or MD-10.

Applicable Standards for Dialysers

Dialysers are evaluated against the haemodialyser standard plus sterility and biocompatibility:

ISO 8637-1 — extracorporeal blood circuit: haemodialysers, haemodiafilters, haemofilters and haemoconcentrators.
ISO 8637-2 — extracorporeal blood circuit for haemodialysers (bloodlines), where relevant.
ISO 10993 series — haemocompatibility and biological evaluation of the blood-contacting membrane.
ISO 11135 / 11137 — sterilisation validation (EO, radiation or steam).
Clearance and ultrafiltration performance data (urea, creatinine, phosphate, KoA).
ISO 23500 series — where dialysis fluid/water quality is in scope.

Documents Required for CDSCO Registration of Dialysers

Whether you file for a manufacturing or an import licence, CDSCO expects the same core technical dossier built around the device:

Covering letter and application form — Form MD-3 / MD-7 (manufacture) or Form MD-14 (import) on the CDSCO Medical Device Online portal, stating every device, variant and site.
Device Master File (DMF) — device description and intended use, materials, design and manufacturing information, ISO 14971 risk file, verification/validation data, sterilisation validation where applicable, shelf-life/stability data and the Essential Principles checklist.
Plant Master File (PMF) — site layout, equipment, utilities/HVAC, organisation chart with competent technical staff and the QMS procedures governing production.
ISO 13485 QMS certificate — current, with a scope covering the device.
Essential Principles of Safety and Performance — a completed checklist mapping the device against each applicable principle with the standard/evidence relied on.
Risk management file (ISO 14971) — hazards, risk controls and residual-risk justification.
Test / performance reports — against the applicable BIS/IS or ISO/IEC standards from an accredited laboratory.
Labels, IFU and packaging — meeting the labelling requirements of the Medical Devices Rules (manufacturer, licence number, sterile status, single-use symbols).
Undertaking and declaration of conformity to the Essential Principles and applicable standards.
Government fee receipt — paid online through the CDSCO portal.

Device-Specific Documents for Dialysers

Device-specific documents on top of the core set for dialysers:

ISO 8637 performance reports — clearance, ultrafiltration coefficient, priming volume and integrity.
Haemocompatibility (ISO 10993) reports for the membrane and potting materials.
Sterilisation validation with the sterility assurance level and residual limits.
Reuse instructions where a reprocessing claim is made, with validation.
Shelf-life / stability data supporting the expiry.
Country-of-origin approval and Free Sale Certificate for imports.

For an import licence (Form MD-14) there are three further essentials:

Free Sale Certificate (FSC) — from the National Regulatory Authority of the country of origin, legalised (apostille/embassy attestation).
Country-of-origin regulatory approval — US FDA 510(k)/PMA, EU CE certificate or equivalent.
Power of Attorney and Authorised Agent licence — notarised, legalised PoA to the Indian Authorised Agent, plus the agent’s valid wholesale/manufacturing licence.

QMS & Essential Principles — What CDSCO Checks

Essential Principles of Safety and Performance (Fifth Schedule) — the device must be safe and perform as intended, with risks reduced as far as possible. Shown through recognised standards and the risk-management file.
Quality Management System (ISO 13485) — design controls, supplier control, process validation, traceability, complaint handling and CAPA, evidenced at audit.
Risk management (ISO 14971) — a living file with residual risks justified and communicated in the IFU.
Clinical evidence — proportionate to the class: clinical evaluation for lower-risk devices and clinical investigation data for many Class C/D and novel devices.

Label & IFU Requirements Specific to Dialysers

Dialyser labelling is checked for membrane, surface area and sterility:

Membrane type, surface area and the exact reference number.
Manufacturer name and address, and the CDSCO licence number.
Batch/lot number, date of manufacture and use-by date.
“STERILE” with the sterilisation-method symbol and the sterilant residual information.
A single-use symbol (or validated reuse instructions) and priming-volume data in the IFU.

Dialyser, Bloodlines and Concentrate: Separate Devices

Haemodialysis relies on several distinct devices — the dialyser cartridge, the blood tubing set (bloodlines), the dialysis concentrate/fluid and the dialysis machine. They are regulated separately, each with its own class and evidence, even though they are used together. Register the dialyser on its own performance and haemocompatibility evidence, and treat the bloodlines and concentrate as their own applications. Bundling them without distinct evidence is a common cause of queries.

Step-by-Step CDSCO Registration Process for Dialysers

Confirm the classification. Fix the risk class against the CDSCO classification list and the First Schedule — Class C here — which decides the form, authority, fee and audit route.
Choose the route. Manufacture (Form MD-7 → MD-9) or import (Form MD-14 → MD-15). Importers appoint an Indian Authorised Agent holding a valid manufacturing or wholesale licence.
Build the Device Master File and Plant Master File. Assemble device description, materials, design and process data, the ISO 14971 risk file, sterilisation/stability data and the site file with the QMS.
Complete the Essential Principles checklist. Map the device against each applicable essential principle and cite the BIS/IS or ISO/IEC standard or test report relied on.
Draw the test and performance reports. Test to the applicable standards at an accredited laboratory. Sterile and measuring devices carry additional validation.
Register and file on the CDSCO Medical Device Online portal. Create the account, pay the government fee online and upload the full dossier under the correct form.
Site audit / inspection. A CDSCO joint audit team inspects the manufacturing site before the licensing authority grants the licence — site inspection is mandatory for Class C and D.
Respond to queries and receive the licence. Answer the deficiency letter within the stipulated period. On approval the licence issues in Form MD-9 (manufacture) or MD-15 (import).

CDSCO Registration Fees and Timeline for Dialysers

The Second Schedule of the Medical Devices Rules sets the fees, and you pay them online through the CDSCO portal. For manufacture of a Class C device the fee is Rs 50,000 per site plus Rs 1,000 for each distinct device, paid to the Central Licensing Authority (CDSCO headquarters). CDSCO charges import fees under Form MD-15 per site and per device in USD — roughly USD 1,000 per site plus USD 50 per device for lower-risk devices, up to about USD 3,000 per site plus USD 1,500 per device for Class C and D. A test licence (Form MD-13) carries a modest fee. Always confirm the current figure on the CDSCO portal before filing.

A complete Class C manufacturing file typically clears in about six to nine months. An import (MD-15) file usually takes six to nine months. Every deficiency letter effectively restarts the clock. Unlike the old registration certificates, an MDR 2017 licence does not expire — it stays valid as long as you pay the retention fee (equal to the licence fee) every five years and meet the conditions of licence.

Common Mistakes That Trigger a CDSCO Query

Class C blood-contacting devices draw detailed queries. The recurring reasons are:

Clearance/ultrafiltration performance data missing or incomplete.
Haemocompatibility not covering the membrane and potting materials.
Sterilant-residual data absent where EO sterilisation is used.
Reuse claims without validated reprocessing instructions.
Free Sale Certificate scope not covering all surface-area variants on import.

Related Approvals to Plan Alongside CDSCO

DGFT Importer-Exporter Code — mandatory for any importer of record before the first consignment.
Wholesale / sale licence (Form 20B/21B or Form MD-42) — for stocking and distributing the device. The Indian Authorised Agent for an import licence must already hold one.
Legal Metrology (LMPC) registration — importers of pre-packaged devices declare MRP, net quantity, importer details and country of origin on the pack.
BIS certification — where the device or its electrical components fall under a mandatory BIS/CRS scheme.

Post-Approval Obligations

Print the licence number on the label and keep the Essential Principles conformity current.
Operate a Post-Market Surveillance (PMS) system and file the Periodic Safety Update Report (PSUR) on the schedule for the device’s class.
Report adverse events and field safety corrective actions through the Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI) and to CDSCO within the prescribed timelines.
Report any change in device, materials, site, labelling or QMS, and any regulatory action or recall in another country.
Retain distribution records for traceability and allow CDSCO to draw samples and inspect the premises.
Pay the retention fee every five years to keep the licence in force, and track BIS/ISO standard revisions.

FAQs on CDSCO Registration for Dialysers

What CDSCO class is a dialyser?

A dialyser is Class C, so a domestic manufacturer files Form MD-7 for an MD-9 licence with the Central Licensing Authority, and an importer files Form MD-14 for an MD-15 licence.

Which standard applies to dialysers in India?

ISO 8637-1 for haemodialysers (and ISO 8637-2 for bloodlines), with ISO 10993 haemocompatibility and validated sterilisation.

Does CDSCO require a site inspection?

Yes — for Class C manufacture, a CDSCO joint audit team inspects the site before the licensing authority grants the MD-9 licence.

Are bloodlines and concentrate registered separately?

Yes — the dialyser, blood tubing sets and dialysis concentrate are distinct devices, each with its own class and evidence, even though used together.

How long does dialyser registration take?

Budget roughly six to nine months for a complete Class C manufacturing (MD-9) or import (MD-15) file with performance and haemocompatibility evidence.

Does the licence expire?

No — the MDR 2017 licence is perpetual, subject to the five-yearly retention fee and continued compliance.

Related CDSCO Registration Guides

Need end-to-end help? See our CDSCO registration services, or read these related guides:

Official references: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the CDSCO MD Online portal.

Why Choose PCN India Global

Classification triage — we confirm the correct risk class for your dialysers against the current CDSCO list before we draft anything.
Route selection — manufacture (MD-5/MD-9) or import (MD-15), with the Indian Authorised Agent arrangement handled.
Dossier build — Device Master File, Plant Master File, Essential Principles checklist and ISO 13485/ISO 14971 readiness.
Standards and testing — the right BIS/IS or ISO/IEC standards mapped and accredited test reports coordinated.
End-to-end online filing — application, audit support, query response and the licence grant managed for you.
Adjacent approvals — DGFT/IEC, LMPC, wholesale/sale licence and BIS coordinated alongside your CDSCO licence.

PCN India Global manages the complete CDSCO process for dialysers — from classification and route selection to Device and Plant Master File preparation, online filing, audit support and the licence grant. WhatsApp or call +91 80109 05029, or email admin@pcnindiaglobal.com, to get your registration underway.

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