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IEC 81001-5-1 vs ISO 14971

What's actually different between the QMS regulations medical device manufacturers must follow — clause-by-clause comparison from the Kelsey Quality crosswalk library.

kelseyqms.com/crosswalk/compare/iec-81001-vs-iso-14971

COMPARE

vs
46IEC 81001 REQUIREMENTS
6SHARED IN BOTH
40NEW IN IEC 81001
9RETIRED FROM ISO 14971

SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

What's actually different

DIMENSIONIEC 81001-5-1ISO 14971
OVERVIEW
StatusCurrent — recognized consensus standardCurrent — recognized consensus standard
Effective period2021 – present2019 – present
Total requirements469
SCOPE
Risk integrationCybersecurity risks integrated via ISO 14971 + threat modelingSafety risk management lifecycle, AFAP principle, benefit-risk analysis
Plan maintenanceSecurity lifecycle plan updated each release and tailored per productRisk management plan maintained throughout device lifecycle
Document approvalPre-release security verification checklist; conformance documentation requiredFormal risk management review approval required before commercial release
OPERATIONAL
Most common gapSecurity risk management siloed from safety risk managementRisk management treated as post-design checkbox exercise
Audit focusThreat model completeness, security-safety integration, release gate evidenceRisk file lifecycle integrity, AFAP rationale, post-market feedback loop

COVERAGE BREAKDOWN

What's shared, what's distinct

6SHARED IN BOTH
  • Security Risk Management
  • Risk Management Context and Product Security Context
  • Security Risk Estimation and Evaluation
  • Controlling Security Risks
  • Monitoring Risk Control Effectiveness
  • Addressing Security-Related Issues
40ONLY IN IEC 81001
  • QMS and Security Responsibilities
  • Identification of Applicability
  • Security Expertise and Training
  • Third-Party Supplier Security
  • Continuous Improvement and Periodic Review
  • Disclosing Security-Related Issues
  • + 34 more
9ONLY IN ISO 14971
  • Risk Management Process
  • Risk Management Plan
  • Intended Use and Reasonably Foreseeable Misuse
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Estimation
  • Risk Evaluation Against Acceptability Criteria
  • Risk Control Option Analysis
  • + 3 more