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.
21 CFR Part 801 · Labeling
§ 801.4 Meaning of intended uses
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Warning letters citing § 801.4
2 FDA warning letters since 2017 cite this section :
- Happiest Baby, Inc. 15 Jun 2026
- WHOOP, Inc. 14 Jul 2025
FDA guidance that cites § 801.4
- Computer Software Assurance for Production and Quality Management System Software: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff 3 Feb 2026
- Considerations for the Use of Artificial Intelligence To Support Regulatory Decision-Making for Drug and Biological Products: Draft Guidance for Industry and Other Interested Parties draft 7 Jan 2025
- Communications From Firms to Health Care Providers Regarding Scientific Information on Unapproved Uses of Approved/Cleared Medical Products: Questions and Answers 6 Jan 2025
- Remanufacturing of Medical Devices: Guidance for Industry, Entities That Perform Servicing or Remanufacturing, and Food and Drug Administration Staff 10 May 2024
- Digital Health Technologies for Remote Data Acquisition in Clinical Investigations 22 Dec 2023
- Off-The-Shelf Software Use in Medical Devices: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff 11 Aug 2023
- Content of Premarket Submissions for Device Software Functions: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff 14 Jun 2023
- Regulatory Requirements for Hearing Aid Devices and Personal Sound Amplification Products: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff 17 Aug 2022
- Regulatory Considerations for Microneedling Products: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff 10 Nov 2020
- Deciding When to Submit a 510(k) for a Change to an Existing Device: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff 25 Oct 2017
- Factors to Consider Regarding Benefit-Risk in Medical Device Product Availability, Compliance, and Enforcement Decisions: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff 27 Dec 2016
- Distribution of In Vitro Diagnostic Products Labeled for Research Use Only or Investigational Use Only: Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff 25 Nov 2013
- Device Labeling Guidance #G91-1 (Blue Book Memo) 7 Mar 1991
Amendment history
Federal Register documents that created or amended this section.
- 82 FR 2217 9 Jan 2017
- 82 FR 9501 7 Feb 2017
- 82 FR 14319 20 Mar 2017
- 83 FR 11639 16 Mar 2018
- 86 FR 41401 2 Aug 2021