3D printing is the ideal candidate to aid in the production of equipment (for instance, valves or ventilators) that hospitals are lacking due to the COVID19 outbreak in Europe.
However, medical 3D printing also raises its array of legal issues when it comes to use 3D printed parts on human beings. Reality has proven that regulations do not advance as fast as technologies. In this regard, Cecimo, the European Association for the machine tool industries, announces that Member States should consider temporarily waiving some of the Medical Device Directive requirements for strategical goods during this period of crisis.
In this regard, Commissioner Breton’s statement announces that the European Commission will facilitate all companies helping in this time, also protecting them from potential legal issues. The Commissioner also highlighted that technologies such as 3D printing should be included in the scope of a new fund aiming to sustain different sectors, such as healthcare, in this time of need. I believe that the additive manufacturing sector can play an important role in sustaining the effort of hospital workers in the middle of this emergency.” Says Filip Geerts, CECIMO Director General, “However, it is in the best interest of all to clarify the regulatory issues in order to move forward quickly and in a way that is not going to delay immediate actions“.
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