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Guidance

Assistive technology: definitions, examples and safe use

Helps manufacturers and healthcare professionals understand the definition of assistive technology and the difference between medical devices and aids to daily living.

Updates to this page

From:
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Published:
18 December 2014
Last updated:
23 May 2025
Show all updates

  1. Section 3.1, changed from from "wheelchairs (including powered wheelchairs)" to "wheelchairs (manual self and attendant-propelled, powered self and attendant-controlled)".

  2. Added link to World Health Organization's (WHO) guidance on assistive product specifications and how to use them

  3. The guidance has been updated to provide clearer information, as well as additional examples and guidance.

  4. This guidance has been updated now that the Government has made regulations that enable CE marked medical devices to continue to be accepted in Great Britain for defined periods beyond 30 June 2023.

  5. Paragraph added to the introduction section which explains that the government intends to extend acceptance of CE marked devices in Great Britain beyond 30 June 2023.

  6. Updated information on page Assistive technology: definition and safe use

  7. Updated the guidance following the end of the transition period. This includes a new section on the regulations in Northern Ireland.

  8. Updated medical devices definition.

  9. Changed title and summary and made major content changes to the HTML page attachment.

  10. Updated guidance including links to buying medical devices for personal use.

  11. Amended link to guidance from DfT on mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs on the road.

  12. Guidance on the main issues of wheelchairs in cars and private transport - reminders for safe use.

  13. First published.

Documents

Assistive technology: definition and safe use

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Details

This Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidance for healthcare professionals covers:

  • examples of assistive technology
  • a definition of aids for daily living
  • common safety issues
  • sources of further information

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