On December 19, 2016, the FDA published a final rule banning powdered gloves based on the unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury to individuals exposed to the powdered gloves (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/19/2016-30382/banned-devices-powdered-surgeons-gloves-powdered-patient-examination-gloves-and-absorbable-powder). This guidance document has not been updated to reflect the ban. FDA is assessing how to revise this guidance to represent our current thinking on medical gloves.
This manual provides FDA’s recommendations for Premarket Notification (510(k)) submissions for medical gloves. It also provides our recommendations on how to comply with the Quality System regulation (21 CFR part 820). Previous revisions of this manual were entitled “Guidance for Medical Gloves: A Workshop Manual.” This edition, the “Medical Glove Guidance Manual” (manual), supersedes all earlier revisions and explains FDA’s current thinking on the requirements and recommendations for medical gloves that are marketed in the United States (U.S.).
FDA's guidance documents, including this guidance, do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. Instead, guidances describe the Agency's current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited. The use of the word should in Age cy guidances means that something is suggested or recommended, but not required.