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    IVDR Performance Evaluation

    Continuous, systematic process to generate, collect, analyse, and assess data demonstrating an IVD's performance under IVDR Article 56.

    Reviewed by Christian Espinosa, Founder, Blue Goat CyberLast reviewed July 25, 2026

    Definition

    Article 56 of Regulation (EU) 2017/746 requires manufacturers to plan, conduct, and document a performance evaluation covering scientific validity, analytical performance, and clinical performance across the device's lifetime. The evaluation is documented in a Performance Evaluation Plan and Report and updated through Post-Market Performance Follow-up.
    What the regulation says
    Article 56(1) states demonstration of conformity with the general safety and performance requirements shall include a performance evaluation, conducted in accordance with Annex XIII.

    What this means in practice

    Performance evaluation is the IVDR analogue to the MDR clinical evaluation but with three pillars, not one. Notified bodies expect each pillar to be evidenced with its own dataset and pre-specified acceptance criteria before CE certification.
    Common pitfalls
    • Merging the three pillars into a single narrative. Notified bodies read them as separate evidence streams.
    • Reusing MDR clinical evaluation templates. IVDR Annex XIII structure is distinct.

    Frequently asked questions

    No. Article 56(6) makes it a lifecycle process: the report is updated with data from post-market performance follow-up throughout the device's life.
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    Primary references

    3 sources
    Link health: 2 verified 1 unchecked· last checked 2026-06-20
    EUR-Lex·1MDCG·1RAPS·1
    1. 1
      Regulation (EU) 2017/746, Article 56 and Annex XIII
      Verified
      EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu
    2. 2
      MDCG 2022-2 Performance Evaluation Guidance
      Unchecked
      MDCGhealth.ec.europa.eu
    3. 3
      RAPS Regulatory Focus
      Verified
      RAPSraps.org

    Inline markers like [1] jump to the matching reference above.