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  • 1.  Basic UDI-DI & UDI-DI

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 17-Jan-2024 13:52
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hello RAPS Community,

    Can Basic UDI-DI be exactly the same number as UDI-DI, eg. Basic UDI-DI : "B-123654" and UDI-DI: "123654"?

    Thank you for explanation!



  • 2.  RE: Basic UDI-DI & UDI-DI

    Posted 17-Jan-2024 18:29

    Hello Anon

    Yes, you can use a similar number if it makes sense. If there is only one model in the family, that might make it easy to remember. Not that UDIs are meant to be read and understood by people, though.

    The basic requirement for UDIs and B-UDIs is that they be unique, and formatted correctly per the rules of the issuing agency. For example, here are GS1 and HIBCC B-UDI generators:

    https://www.gs1.org/services/check-character-calculator

    https://www.hibcc.org/basic-udi-di-generator/



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    Anne LeBlanc
    United States
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  • 3.  RE: Basic UDI-DI & UDI-DI

    Posted 17-Jan-2024 19:01

    In your example, they are not the same. The Basic UDI-DI is B-123654, while the UDI-DI is 123654.

    The Basic UDI-DI is for a family of devices, each of which has its own UDI-DI. You make the assumption that there will be, forever, only one device in the family. However, as you make changes to the device, you will need additional UDI-DIs to represent versions or models. Therefore, the Basic UDI-DI should be more descriptive of the family, not of only one device.

    Because you ask about the Basic UDI-DI, you are in the EU system. The EU has four issuing agencies, while the rest of the world seems to have three. Forming the Basic UDI-DI and the UDI-DI requires that you follow the issuing agency rules. If you market the device in the US, then you cannot use the German issuing agency recognized by the EU. However, you could, it seems, use a Basic UDI-DI from one issuing agency and UDI-DIs from another.

    In any case, the rules to form the Basic UDI-DI and the rules to form the UDI-DI are different, so your scheme might not work. Also, as your device family grows, your method will, eventually, be awkward.



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    Dan O'Leary CQA, CQE
    Swanzey NH
    United States
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  • 4.  RE: Basic UDI-DI & UDI-DI

    Posted 17-Jan-2024 19:19

    While it may be possible, I don't recommend it.  Specifically, if the Basic UDI-DI and UDI-DI are identical, then it negates the fundamental intent of a Basic UDI-DI. For example, the MDCG reminds us that the Basic UDI-DI is independent/separate from the packaging/labelling of the device.  Thus, if we make the Basic UDI-DI the same as the UDI-DI (which identifies a packaging level among other things), then we lose that intended separation.  I also think having them the same is a recipe for mix-ups and confusion.  It also has only limited practical value because each level of packaging requires its own UDI-DI thus forcing the organization to manage different UDI-DI numbers anyway as soon as you have multiple packaging configurations (which sales and marketing often at some point decides are needed).

    That said, the MDCG also reminds us, and in particular the issuing agencies, that the Basic UDI-DI format should be as close as possible to that for the UDI-DI so that the Basic UDI-DI won't differ to significantly from the UDI-DI.

    On that note, like Dan said, the two numbers you gave actually aren't the same, but are quite similar.  Thus, it appears you are on the right track.



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    Kevin Randall, ASQ CQA, RAC (Europe, U.S., Canada)
    Principal Consultant
    Ridgway, CO
    United States
    © Copyright by ComplianceAcuity, Inc. All rights reserved.
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  • 5.  RE: Basic UDI-DI & UDI-DI

    Posted 18-Jan-2024 03:34
    Edited by Erik Vollebregt 18-Jan-2024 03:34

    Always make sure to dare to be wise and understand the system (which includes not only issuing entity rules about how a GTIN can be composed but also MDR logic of UDI as laid down in the MDR - these are different things). As the examples given by others show: what is possible is not always smart and/or sustainable for the future and you might paint yourself into a corner with a dead end UDI strategy. I recommend to get some expert advice and think this idea through in scenarios.



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    Erik Vollebregt
    Partner
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
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  • 6.  RE: Basic UDI-DI & UDI-DI

    Posted 18-Jan-2024 10:14

    There are fundamental differences in the way the 2 identifiers are created that make this impossible.  UDI-DIs use a single digit check character and a BUDI requires a 2 character check digit.



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    Jay Crowley
    Vice President, Medical Devices and UDI Practice Lead
    USDM Life Sciences
    jcrowley@usdm.com
    +1-805-880-2591
    Baltimore MD
    United States
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