# 21 CFR § 801.4: Meaning of intended uses

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.4

## Section

- **Citation:** 21 CFR § 801.4
- **Heading:** Meaning of intended uses
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 21—Food and Drugs > CHAPTER I—FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES > SUBCHAPTER H—MEDICAL DEVICES > PART 801—LABELING > Subpart A—General Labeling Provisions

## Text

Link to an amendment published at 82 FR 2217, Jan. 9, 2017.
This amendment was delayed until Mar. 21, 2017, at 82 FR 9501, Feb. 7, 2017.
This amendment was further delayed until Mar. 19, 2018, at 82 FR 14319, Mar. 20, 2017.
This amendment delayed indefinitely at 83 FR 11639, Mar. 16, 2018.
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.
[86 FR 41401, Aug. 2, 2021]

## Nearby sections

- [21 CFR § 801.1 § 801.1 Medical devices; name and place of business of manufacturer, packer or distributor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.1.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.3 § 801.3 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.3.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.4 § 801.4 Meaning of intended uses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.4.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.5 § 801.5 Medical devices; adequate directions for use.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.5.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.6 § 801.6 Medical devices; misleading statements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.6.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.15 § 801.15 Medical devices; prominence of required label statements; use of symbols in labeling.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.15.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.16 § 801.16 Medical devices; Spanish-language version of certain required statements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.16.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.18 § 801.18 Format of dates provided on a medical device label.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.18.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.20 § 801.20 Label to bear a unique device identifier.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.20.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.30 § 801.30 General exceptions from the requirement for the label of a device to bear a unique device identifier.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.30.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.35 § 801.35 Voluntary labeling of a device with a unique device identifier.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.35.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.40 § 801.40 Form of a unique device identifier.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.40.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.45 § 801.45 Devices that must be directly marked with a unique device identifier.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.45.md)
- [21 CFR § 801.50 § 801.50 Labeling requirements for stand-alone software.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.50.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-801.4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.