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State of the Union Address: MedTech Europe’s reaction

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Posted on 10.09.2025

MedTech Europe’s reaction to the President of the European Commission’s State of the Union Address

Europe’s strength, resilience, and competitiveness depend on one thing above all: the health of its people. MedTech Europe welcomes the European Commission’s emphasis on competitiveness and simplification outlined in today’s State of the Union Address speech, but stresses that Europe must remain a leader in healthcare. Health and competitiveness are not separate goals: they must be advanced together. The medical technology sector calls for a fit‑for‑purpose regulatory and policy framework that turns Europe’s world‑class health innovation into timely patient access to drive productivity, resilience and sustainable growth.  Oliver Bisazza, CEO of MedTech Europe, commented: “Health resilience is the foundation of Europe’s prosperity. Europe should remain the best place to develop, manufacture, and launch medical technologies. The medical technology industry in Europe welcomes and supports the Commission’s push for greater competitiveness and simplification. However, real progress will be measured by whether patients see faster access to life-saving innovations. After all, where there is no health, there is no wealth.”    No health, no wealth  MedTech Europe regrets that health is not fully recognised as a core enabler of Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and social cohesion. Europe must keep health at the forefront of its political agenda and ensure all patients have timely access to medical technologies. Building resilient and sustainable health systems that embrace digitalisation must remain central to the delivery of better outcomes and efficiency.   Structural improvements to the In Vitro Diagnostics and Medical Devices Regulations (IVDR/MDR), coherent alignment across digital and environmental rules, and a Single Market that works for healthcare: these reforms are not ends in themselves. They keep innovation in Europe and get safe, effective technologies to patients faster.  The announced new Global Health Resilience initiative is a welcome step forward, provided it builds on strong stakeholder engagement and collaboration with existing health platforms.    Simplification and competitiveness  MedTech Europe welcomes the Commission’s focus on simplification and urges full use of the omnibus efforts across regulatory, digital and environmental fronts to turn innovation into timely access and stronger competitiveness. Delivering IVDR/MDR fixes that cut administrative burden, aligning Artificial intelligence (AI), Network & Information Security Directive II (NIS2), Data Act and European Health Dataspace (EHDS) coherently, and shaping Green Deal measures to support resilience and access: this is how Europe will ensure a health‑centred Single Market that speeds safe adoption and backs small and medium-sized enterprises.     A Single Market that works for health  MedTech Europe supports the Commission’s strategic objective of strengthening Europe’s industrial and healthcare resilience and echoes the President of the Commission: “Our greatest asset is the Single Market – but it remains unfinished”.   One step forward will be the inclusion of the fifth freedom for knowledge and innovation in the upcoming Single Market Roadmap. However, given the complexity of medical technologies and their global supply chains, we would caution against pursuing resilience and competitiveness via protectionist policies such as, for instance, ‘Buy Europe’ criteria in the revision of the public procurement directive. Such policies could backfire and bring unintended adverse consequences for Europe, including its healthcare systems and its patients. For many years, the international rule-based system – based on minimisation of trade barriers, including non-discrimination in public procurement – has served Europe well as a key enabler for patient access to the many benefits of medical technologies. A Single Market that works for health therefore requires modernisation of Europe’s approach to public procurement, i.e., by taking further steps towards the rewarding and financing of truly value‑based outcomes and reductions in the total cost of care. ‘Buy Europe’ policies would distract from the need to stay focused on these very important steps, and could therefore serve as obstacles to the very resilience and sustainable investment goals towards which the Commission rightly aspires.    Safeguarding access and supply chains  As sanctions and trade agreements progress, the EU needs to safeguard medical technologies to keep care uninterrupted and Europe’s health security intact. To protect patient access and resilient value chains, appropriate exemptions for medical technologies and essential inputs should be secured in third‑country tariff regimes, starting with the EU-US Trade Deal. Trade actions should avoid disrupting care pathways while supporting Europe’s industrial capacity.     Sustainability and environment  Holding a course on Europe’s sustainability and environmental goals makes sense for the people, the planet, and the industry. A comprehensive enabling framework should unlock the potential of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal for medtech and the broader healthcare ecosystem. Global carbon pricing, next to boosting more renewable energies and energy efficiency, is key to combating climate change. It levels the playing field, rewards innovation and drives emission reductions cost-effectively. Upcoming initiatives, like the  Climate Resilience Framework and the Circular Economy Act, should fully consider medtech specificities.    Health and competitiveness in the next EU budget  The next EU budget should couple health and competitiveness by prioritising investment in the adoption of high‑value medical technologies, interoperable digital and data infrastructure, so innovation translates into earlier diagnosis, better outcomes and efficiency. Delivery should be underpinned by public–private partnerships that bridge research to market, dedicated funding windows for breakthrough technologies, and alignment with the Life Sciences Strategy and Single Market reform to close the launch gap, reduce administrative burden and restore Europe’s attractiveness for innovation.   MedTech Europe stands ready to work with the European Commission, Parliament and Member States to translate these priorities into concrete, patient‑centred reforms.    About MedTech Europe  MedTech Europe is the European trade association for the medical technology industry including diagnostics, medical devices and digital health. Our members are national, European and multinational companies as well as a network of national medical technology associations that research, develop, manufacture, distribute and supply health-related technologies, services and solutions.  www.medtecheurope.org.   For more information, please contact:   Miriam D’Ambrosio Senior Manager Communications MedTech Europe [email protected] 

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About us

MedTech Europe is the European trade association representing the medical technology industries, from diagnosis to cure.

We represent Diagnostics and Medical Devices manufacturers operating in Europe. There are more than 2,000,000 products, services and solutions currently made available by the medical technology industry. These range from bandages, blood tests and hearing aids to cancer screening tests, pacemakers and glucose monitors.

Our sector employs more than 930,000 people. There are more than 38,000 medical technology companies in Europe, of which 90% are SMEs.

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Sector Priorities

Interactions with the Medical Community

Interactions with the Medical Community

The medical technology industry is expected to act in a responsible manner. MedTech Europe and its members are committed to a high level of ethical business practices and have put in place strict guidelines to advise medical technology manufacturers on how to collaborate ethically with Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), Healthcare Organisations (HCOs) and Patient Organisations (POs).

Interactions with the Medical Community Picture

Access to Medical Technology

Access to Medical Technology

Medical technologies have the potential to save and improve the quality of life, to inform people on the state of their health and to guide healthcare delivery.

Access to medical technology picture

Medical Technology Regulations

Medical Technology Regulations

Medical technologies are tightly regulated in the European Union. Before a medical technology can be legally placed on the EU market, a manufacturer must comply with the requirements of all applicable EU legislation and affix a CE mark to their device.

EU Regulations governing medical devices (MD) and in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD) were published in May 2017. MedTech Europe is working with our members and the authorities to support companies in complying with the legislation by the end of the extended transition periods.

The European Neighbourhood

Competitiveness

Competitiveness

European medical technology industry's vibrant research ecosystem contributes to innovation while fostering a resilient, competitive and future-ready Europe. Medical technology is one of Europe’s most dynamic, and innovative sectors, delivering world-class solutions for patients and health systems in Europe while supporting local economies.

Legal

Legal

In close collaboration with in-house counsels & privacy experts in member companies, MedTech Europe empowers its members to navigate the evolving legal landscape, ensuring they remain compliant while driving innovation in medical technology. On relevant topics, MedTech Europe also advocates for a balanced and predictable legal environment that ensures patient access to safe and innovative medical technologies.

Sustainability and Environment

Sustainability and Environment

In addition to the medical technology sector’s core goal of saving lives and improving health, environmental and social considerations are an integral part of our industry’s operations. We acknowledge that preserving a healthy environment and building socially responsible value chains are essential in keeping human beings in good health. Our industry needs to be at the forefront of addressing challenges related to sustainable healthcare.

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Market Data

Market Data

Taking decisions based on individual knowledge and market understanding has proven to be insufficient in the digital era. Successful medical technology companies have leveraged the power of technology and big data to take rigorous decisions based on empirical data. Staying up to date with the latest trends requires a trusted data provider and market intelligence service.

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Digital Health

Digital Health

Medical technologies are transforming the way healthcare works for all of us. From faster diagnoses to remote monitoring, digital health contributes to smarter, safer, and more connected care.

Digital Picture

International

International

MedTech Europe engages with global agencies, decision-makers and stakeholders on key international issues facing medical technology companies.

International Picture

Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)

Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)

The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) is a public-private partnership between the European Union and the European life science industries, under the EU R&I funding programme Horizon Europe.

Research and Innovation

Research and Innovation

Research & Innovation (R&I) is the lifeblood of Europe’s medical technology sector. Industry investment in R&I delivers life-enhancing devices, diagnostics, and digital solutions. The European Union’s support for R&I offers valuable opportunities for academia and industry to generate new knowledge and use it to tackle the biggest challenges facing our societies. The quest for tomorrow’s healthcare innovations demands new, broad partnerships. R&I is most impactful when it is based on collaboration. MedTech Europe is committed to working with others in the public and private sectors to find solutions to our challenges.

Research and Innovation

Sector Groups

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIS)

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIS)

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) are among the biggest global public health challenges of our time. These infections cause significant morbidity and mortality, put pressure on health systems, and incur rising direct and indirect costs.
Medical technologies can help to address these problems by preventing, detecting, monitoring and managing infections and resistance.

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Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation-related stroke, heart valve disease or coronary heart disease, can impact people of all ages and remain the leading cause of death in the European Union.

The medical technology industry provides high-quality solutions to safeguard and promote cardiovascular health and reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases on individuals, families, and the wider society.

Cardiovascular Picture

Orthopaedic

Orthopaedic

Orthopaedics is the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of the human body's musculoskeletal system. This complex system includes bones; joints; ligaments; tendons; muscles; and nerves; and allows you to move, work, and stay active.

The medical technology industry develops products that reduce the burden of musculoskeletal diseases on individuals, families, and the wider economy. These innovations improve quality of life and add enormous value to the European society.

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Cancer

Cancer

Medical technologies play an essential role throughout the whole cancer continuum: they help prevent and detect cancer at early stages, treat patients and prevent treatment complications, as well as improve the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors.

Diabetes

Diabetes

Diabetes is a silent pandemic. There are 60 million people across Europe living with the condition—equivalent to the population of Italy – and the numbers are rising each year. If current trends continue, diabetes will soon be the number one health threat in Europe.

The MedTech Europe Diabetes Group aims to reverse this trend by taking meaningful collective action on prevention, diagnosis and treatment for the millions of people living with diabetes, so that they can get back to leading full and fear-free lives.

Diabetes Picture

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