Health products policy and standards
Our team provides authoritative guidance and standards on quality, safety and efficacy of health products and supports countries to formulate evidence-based policies and ensure good practice throughout the value chain.

Procurement and technical specifications

There is a need for advice on technical specifications of medical devices in many settings. Decision makers should consider technical specifications before purchase or donation. Technical specifications improve access to high quality, safe and efficacious medical devices. They allow for adequate planning of implementation, functioning and decommissioning of medical devices. Technical specifications facilitate the management of financial, infrastructural and human resources.

Therefore, WHO has developed some technical specifications for specific populations (e.g. newborns) and needs (e.g. oxygen). They are free to download on this page. WHO technical specification also provide guidelines in procurement and acquisition of medical devices.

Midwife wearing PPE measuring a patient blood pressure in postnatal care
WHO / Blink Media - Nana Kofi Acquah
Midwife Rebecca Kpabitey Maame checks the blood pressure of a patient, who delivered her baby Ishod at Ridge Hospital and is now bringing him for a postnatal visit.
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WHO procurement guidance

Procurement process resource guide
WHO Medical device technical series

WHO technical specifications of medical devices

WHO technical specifications package

WHO developed the technical specifications package since 2014.  An updated electronic version is being developed.

Cover page of the document with the User guide for technical specifications

WHO Technical Specifications (TS) are intended for technical health workers and health stakeholders such as:biomedical engineershospital managersplanning...

Cover page of the document with 13 technical specifications

Six million women and children could be saved by 2017, if they had access to simple, essential and affordable medicines, medical devices and health supplies....

Cover page of the document with 61 technical specifications

The WHO technical specification for 61 medical devices was developed in accordance with essential medical devices needed for health care facilities. It...

The WHO technical specification for blood glucose meter was developed by WHO in collaboration with a working group of experts. The technical specifications...

Global collaborations for medical devices

WHO directs and coordinates international health work through collaboration. WHO partners with countries, the United Nations system, international organizations, civil society, foundations, academia, and research institutions. Official collaborations with WHO are conducted in the following forms: