21 CFR Part 830 · Unique Device Identification

21 CFR 830.3

Definitions

21 CFR 830.3 is the regulation titled “Definitions” in 21 CFR Part 830, Unique Device Identification. Since 2021, 22 FDA warning letters have cited it.

Letters citing it
22 since 2021
Jan 1 to Oct 30, 2026
5 against 6 on the same dates in 2025
Most often cited with
21 CFR 830.300, in 22 letters
Closed out
14% of these letters have a published close-out
See the 22 letters citing 21 CFR 830.3 →

Letters citing it, by year issued

Most are medical device letters (21 of 22). 2026 runs to Oct 30, 2026. Pick a year to see its letters.

  1. 02021
  2. 22022
  3. 42023
  4. 42024
  5. 72025
  6. 52026

What FDA writes when it cites it

The finding headings that cite 21 CFR 830.3 most often, as written in the letters.

  • 1 letterFailure to Submit Required Information to GUDID
  • 1 letterThe labels and packages of the Banda-SiL products do not bear such a UDI

The regulation

Read the text of 21 CFR 830.3 (eCFR, as of Sep 1, 2026)

As used in this part:

Automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) means any technology that conveys the unique device identifier or the device identifier of a device in a form that can be entered into an electronic patient record or other computer system via an automated process.

Center Director means the Director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health or the Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, depending on which Center has been assigned lead responsibility for the device.

Device package means a package that contains a fixed quantity of a particular version or model of a device.

Expiration date means the date by which the label of a device states the device must or should be used.

FDA, we, or us means the Food and Drug Administration.

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act means 21 U.S.C. 321 et seq., as amended.

Finished device means any device or accessory to any device that is suitable for use or capable of functioning.

Global Unique Device Identification Database (GUDID) means the database that serves as a repository of information to facilitate the identification of medical devices through their distribution and use.

Human cell, tissue, or cellular or tissue-based product (HCT/P) regulated as a device means an HCT/P as defined in § 1271.3(d) of this chapter that does not meet the criteria in § 1271.10(a) and that is also regulated as a device.

Issuing agency means an organization accredited by FDA to operate a system for the issuance of unique device identifiers.

Label has the meaning set forth in section 201(k) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Labeler means:

(1) Any person who causes a label to be applied to a device with the intent that the device will be commercially distributed without any subsequent replacement or modification of the label; and

(2) Any person who causes the label of a device to be replaced or modified with the intent that the device will be commercially distributed without any subsequent replacement or modification of the label, except that the addition of the name of, and contact information for, a person who distributes the device, without making any other changes to the label, is not a modification for the purposes of determining whether a person is a labeler.

Lot or batch means one finished device or more that consist of a single type, model, class, size, composition, or software version that are manufactured under essentially the same conditions and that are intended to have uniform characteristics and quality within specified limits.

Shipping container means a container used during the shipment or transportation of devices, and whose contents may vary from one shipment to another.

Small business means a medical device manufacturer with 500 or fewer employees, or a medical device relabeler or repackager with 100 or fewer employees.

Specification means any requirement with which a device must conform.

Unique device identifier (UDI) means an identifier that adequately identifies a device through its distribution and use by meeting the requirements of § 830.20. A UDI is composed of:

(1) A device identifier—a mandatory, fixed portion of a UDI that identifies the specific version or model of a device and the labeler of that device; and

(2) A production identifier—a conditional, variable portion of a UDI that identifies one or more of the following when included on the label of the device:

(i) The lot or batch within which a device was manufactured;

(ii) The serial number of a specific device;

(iii) The expiration date of a specific device;

(iv) The date a specific device was manufactured.

(v) For an HCT/P regulated as a device, the distinct identification code required by § 1271.290(c) of this chapter.

Universal product code (UPC) means the product identifier used to identify an item sold at retail in the United States.

Version or model means all devices that have specifications, performance, size, and composition, within limits set by the labeler.

Text from eCFR as of Sep 1, 2026.

Cited alongside it

Regulations that appear in the same letters as 21 CFR 830.3.

Latest letters citing it

The 3 letters citing 21 CFR 830.3 that FDA posted most recently.

See the 22 letters citing 21 CFR 830.3 →
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