Covid 19

This section will be updated regularly. It was first published on 28 February 2020 and last updated on 26 February 2021

Members with sector-related requests around the COVID-19 pandemic can contact Philippe or Jan.  Upon discussing the request/matter within the EIGA community, EIGA will take appropriate action (sharing information, setting up a temporary expert group, escalate to the EIGA Board, …) and feedback.

MGC responses on 21 October 2020 is still valid, for the ‘’Weekly update from EU Industry Trade Associations on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the supply of medicines in the Union/EEA. Report to the EU Executive Steering Group of Shortages of Medicines caused my major events’’:

Our industry of medical gases meets frequently. As result of this week’s meeting, we like to communicate to the EMA that our industry does currently not experience shortages of medical gases to the EU market, nor a significant demand increase. Still, we like to ask EMA to remind the national competent authority of our document BN 25 on regulatory flexibility during this pandemic 2nd Wave and to maintain these requested derogations for the coming winter period.

How EIGA supports our industry
to continue to save lives

Briefing Note BN 27 (for members only) was issued to support the “Temporary Use of Equipment Not CE Marked as Devices in Medical Gas Service” during the pandemic for use in medical or breathing gas service.

EIGA published a Briefing Note BN 26 (for members only) on how to disinfect cylinders, to assure the safety of operating staff and drivers, but also users and in addition to obtain a sufficient number of empty cylinders to assure the supply to healthcare facilities and homecare services. See also the related Doc 222.

Issue a MGC Briefing Note BN 25 (for members only) with proposals for temporary derogation measures to support the continuation of supply of all medical gases to healthcare facilities and homecare services.

As result of the 2nd wave Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic EIGA requested an exceptional temporary derogation to ADR be issued to assist in the availability of pressure receptacles for primarily medical oxygen, but also to other gases related to the medical supply chain.

The derogation is granted via a Multilateral Agreement M331, which permits Countries that have enacted ADR into their national transport legislation to agree to a variation to ADR. It does not require that every country has to sign an MLA for it to be adopted in an individual country.
Technical Bulletin TB 37 provides explanation to EIGA members and others who fill the listed products in M331, what they should do and not do.

Some of the COVID-19 vaccines require storage and transportation at extremely low temperatures. Dry Ice (solid carbon dioxide) is needed to reach and maintain those temperatures. EIGA members indicate that our sector has the capacity to absorb the anticipated increase in European dry ice demand.Please consult safety leaflet SL 09, document Doc 150, and safety information SI 24 for more information on safe transport and handling of dry ice.

EIGA shares good practices, country implementation and status, actions our different members undertake, and other relevant information as provided by the National Associations and our members.

All EIGA meetings are changed to Net Meetings until further notice, but at least until 1 September 2021.