21 CFR Part 801 · Labeling

21 CFR 801.4

Meaning of intended uses

21 CFR 801.4 is the regulation titled “Meaning of intended uses” in 21 CFR Part 801, Labeling. Since 2021, 2 FDA warning letters have cited it.

Letters citing it
2 since 2021
Jan 1 to Oct 30, 2026
1 against 1 on the same dates in 2025
Most often cited with
21 CFR 807.81, in 2 letters
Closed out
50% of these letters have a published close-out
See the 2 letters citing 21 CFR 801.4 →

Letters citing it, by year issued

All are medical device letters. 2026 runs to Oct 30, 2026. Pick a year to see its letters.

  1. 02021
  2. 02022
  3. 02023
  4. 02024
  5. 12025
  6. 12026

The regulation

Read the text of 21 CFR 801.4 (eCFR, as of Sep 1, 2026)

The words intended uses or words of similar import in §§ 801.5, 801.119, 801.122, and 1100.5 of this chapter refer to the objective intent of the persons legally responsible for the labeling of an article (or their representatives). The intent may be shown by such persons' expressions, the design or composition of the article, or by the circumstances surrounding the distribution of the article. This objective intent may, for example, be shown by labeling claims, advertising matter, or oral or written statements by such persons or their representatives. Objective intent may be shown, for example, by circumstances in which the article is, with the knowledge of such persons or their representatives, offered or used for a purpose for which it is neither labeled nor advertised; provided, however, that a firm would not be regarded as intending an unapproved new use for a device approved, cleared, granted marketing authorization, or exempted from premarket notification based solely on that firm's knowledge that such device was being prescribed or used by health care providers for such use. The intended uses of an article may change after it has been introduced into interstate commerce by its manufacturer. If, for example, a packer, distributor, or seller intends an article for different uses than those intended by the person from whom he or she received the article, such packer, distributor, or seller is required to supply adequate labeling in accordance with the new intended uses.

[86 FR 41401, Aug. 2, 2021]

Text from eCFR as of Sep 1, 2026.

Cited alongside it

Regulations that appear in the same letters as 21 CFR 801.4.

Latest letters citing it

The 2 letters citing 21 CFR 801.4 that FDA posted most recently.

See the 2 letters citing 21 CFR 801.4 →
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