CFDA plans to have the new system operational by 2020. This will affect the thousands of pharmaceutical and medical device standards in place in China and, if all goes to plan, equip CFDA to cut the time it takes to revise rules and thereby continuously improve safety and quality. The new focus on speed could have particular implications for the medical device industry. CFDA, following the central government’s lead, wants to make China more amenable to innovative medical device companies. Given the fast advance of robotics and other novel enabling technologies, this will entail ensuring standards do not impede the development of devices that break new ground. More Information On RAPS