Medical Device Quality Management

ISO 13485 Consultant
Medical Device QMS
& FDA Compliance

Achieve ISO 13485 certification to build a compliant quality management system for your medical devices. Expert guidance from gap analysis through successful certification audit — with FDA regulatory pathway support.

Jared Clark, JD, MBA, PMP, CMQ-OE, RAC — Medical Device Quality Consultant

200+
Clients Served
100%
Audit Pass Rate
6-12
Month Timeline
8+
Years Experience
RAC

Regulatory Affairs Certified (RAPS)

The gold standard credential for medical device regulatory professionals. Qualified to address both ISO 13485 quality management and FDA regulatory strategy.

FDA

ISO 13485 + FDA 510(k) Integration

Your ISO 13485 QMS provides the quality foundation for FDA regulatory submissions. Design controls, risk management, and DHF documentation support 510(k) clearance.

Understanding the Standard

What Is ISO 13485?

ISO 13485 is the international standard for Quality Management Systems specific to medical devices. It specifies requirements for organizations involved in the design, production, installation, and servicing of medical devices — with integrated risk management and regulatory compliance throughout.

Design Controls

Structured design and development process with planning, inputs, outputs, review, verification, validation, and transfer requirements per Clause 7.3.

Risk Management

Integration with ISO 14971 for product risk analysis, evaluation, and control throughout the entire medical device lifecycle.

Regulatory Compliance

Meet FDA QSR/QMSR requirements, EU MDR expectations, and global market access requirements through a single quality system.

Full Traceability

Complete traceability from raw materials through manufacturing, distribution, and post-market surveillance for every medical device.

Unique Differentiator

ISO 13485 + FDA Regulatory Compliance

Most medical device companies need both ISO 13485 certification and FDA regulatory clearance. Your quality management system isn't just about compliance — it's the foundation for successful 510(k) submissions, design history files, and post-market surveillance.

ISO 13485 consulting is a premium specialty within Certify Consulting, our full-service certification practice. With both RAC (Regulatory Affairs Certification) and CMQ-OE credentials, Jared bridges the gap between quality management and regulatory strategy.

ISO 13485 & FDA 510(k)
510k

FDA 510(k) Foundation

Your ISO 13485 design controls produce the Design History File (DHF) required for 510(k) substantial equivalence submissions.

QMSR

FDA QMSR Harmonization

The FDA's new Quality Management System Regulation aligns with ISO 13485, making certification increasingly valuable for US market access.

14971

Risk Management (ISO 14971)

Integrated risk management throughout product realization — your risk management file is a critical component of both ISO 13485 compliance and FDA submissions.

EU

EU MDR Market Access

ISO 13485 certification is required for CE marking under the EU Medical Devices Regulation — essential for European market access.

Our Process

From Gap Analysis to Certification

A structured, proven methodology that gets medical device companies certified in 6 to 12 months with a 100% first-time audit pass rate.

1

Gap Analysis

Comprehensive assessment of your current quality system against ISO 13485:2016 requirements, including design controls, risk management, and regulatory readiness.

2

QMS Design

Develop quality policy, quality manual, document control system, and the full documentation framework tailored to your device portfolio and regulatory requirements.

3

Design Controls

Implement Clause 7.3 design and development controls: planning, inputs, outputs, reviews, verification, validation, transfer, and design history file structure.

4

Process Implementation

Deploy purchasing controls, production controls, CAPA system, complaint handling, monitoring and measurement, and train your team on QMS procedures.

5

Internal Audit

Conduct comprehensive internal audits, perform management review, and resolve any nonconformities to ensure audit readiness.

6

Certification Audit

Guide you through Stage 1 (documentation review) and Stage 2 (implementation audit) certification audits with confidence. 100% first-time pass rate.

Medical Device Companies

Who Needs ISO 13485 Certification?

ISO 13485 applies to any organization involved in the lifecycle of medical devices — from design and manufacturing to distribution and servicing.

Medical Device Startups

Building your first QMS from scratch. Get it right the first time with a system designed for both ISO 13485 certification and FDA submissions.

Device Manufacturers

Class I, II, and III medical device manufacturers needing certification for market access, customer requirements, and regulatory compliance.

Contract Manufacturers

OEM and contract manufacturers needing ISO 13485 to qualify as suppliers to medical device companies and meet customer audit requirements.

EU Market Access

Companies seeking CE marking under the EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR). ISO 13485 certification is a prerequisite for notified body assessment.

Sterile Device Companies

Companies manufacturing sterile medical devices with additional ISO 13485 requirements for sterilization validation, cleanroom controls, and packaging.

Software as Medical Device

SaMD developers needing ISO 13485-compliant quality systems for regulatory clearance, with software lifecycle processes per IEC 62304.

Your Consultant

Why Work with Jared Clark?

Medical device quality management demands specialized expertise at the intersection of quality systems, regulatory affairs, and legal compliance. Jared brings a rare combination of credentials that covers all three.

Regulatory Affairs Certified (RAC)

RAPS credential specifically for medical device regulatory professionals. Qualified to address both ISO 13485 quality and FDA regulatory strategy for your devices.

Quality Excellence (CMQ-OE)

ASQ's Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence validates deep expertise in management systems, process improvement, and quality engineering.

Legal & Business Expertise (JD, MBA, PMP)

Medical device regulation has significant legal implications — 510(k) submissions, FDA enforcement actions, product liability. A law degree adds critical legal risk perspective.

Full Bio & Credentials
JD
Juris Doctor
Legal & Compliance
MBA
Business Admin
Strategy & ROI
CMQ-OE
Quality Excellence
ASQ Certified
RAC
Regulatory Affairs
RAPS Certified
PMP
Project Management
PMI Certified
200+
Certifications Completed
100% Pass Rate

Common Questions

ISO 13485 FAQ

ISO 13485 is the international standard for quality management systems specific to the medical device industry. Any organization involved in the design, production, installation, or servicing of medical devices needs ISO 13485 — including device manufacturers, contract manufacturers, component suppliers, sterile packaging companies, and software as medical device (SaMD) developers. It's required for EU market access (CE marking under MDR) and strongly expected by the FDA.
Most organizations achieve ISO 13485 certification within 6 to 12 months. The timeline depends on your organization's size, product complexity (Class I vs. Class III), existing quality system maturity, and whether design controls need to be established from scratch. Companies with existing ISO 9001 systems often move faster due to shared management system structure. Our structured methodology and hands-on support keep projects on track.
ISO 13485 provides the quality management system foundation that FDA expects. Your design history file (DHF), risk management file (ISO 14971), and design controls documentation are direct products of ISO 13485 implementation that support 510(k) submissions. The FDA's new QMSR regulation further harmonizes FDA requirements with ISO 13485, making certification increasingly valuable for US market access.
Both are quality management system standards, but ISO 13485 is specifically designed for medical devices. Key differences: ISO 13485 requires design and development controls (Clause 7.3), risk management integration (ISO 14971), sterile device requirements, regulatory compliance tracking, and full product traceability. ISO 13485 focuses on maintaining QMS effectiveness rather than ISO 9001's "continual improvement" requirement. For a comprehensive view of all ISO certification services, visit certify.consulting.
Costs vary based on organization size, number of product lines, and regulatory complexity. Consulting fees typically range from $15,000 to $75,000 for implementation support, while certification body audit fees range from $8,000 to $25,000. Medical device startups building a QMS from scratch are at the lower end; established companies with multiple product lines and sterile devices are at the higher end. We offer a free consultation to provide a tailored estimate.

Ready for ISO 13485 Certification?

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your medical device quality management goals, assess your current readiness, and get a tailored roadmap to certification.

No commitment required. Expert guidance on your medical device QMS certification journey.