ISO 13485
International standard for medical device quality management
APRA CPS 234
APRA prudential standard for information security resilience.
Quick Verdict
ISO 13485 provides QMS certification for global medical device makers, ensuring lifecycle compliance. APRA CPS 234 mandates information security for Australian financial firms, demanding board oversight and rapid incident reporting. Companies adopt them for market access and regulatory resilience.
ISO 13485
ISO 13485:2016 Medical devices Quality management systems
Key Features
- Risk-based controls for device lifecycle safety
- Mandatory medical device files for traceability
- Explicit post-market surveillance and complaints
- Process and software validation requirements
- Regulatory integration with FDA QMSR, EU MDR
APRA CPS 234
APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 Information Security
Key Features
- Board ultimate responsibility for information security
- 72-hour notification for material incidents to APRA
- Covers third-party managed information assets
- Systematic independent testing of controls required
- Asset classification by criticality and sensitivity
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 13485 Details
What It Is
ISO 13485:2016 is an international certification standard titled "Medical devices — Quality management systems — Requirements for regulatory purposes." It provides a risk-based framework for organizations in the medical device lifecycle, from design to post-market surveillance, ensuring consistent conformity to customer and regulatory requirements.
Key Components
- Organized into Clauses 4–8: QMS/documentation, management responsibility, resources, product realization, measurement/improvement.
- Emphasizes documented procedures, validation, traceability, and risk management per ISO 14971.
- Requires medical device files, supplier controls, CAPA, and internal audits.
- Certification via accredited bodies with stage audits and surveillance.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enables market access (EU MDR, FDA QMSR alignment by 2026).
- Mitigates risks like recalls and liabilities.
- Builds stakeholder trust and supply chain assurance.
- Drives operational efficiency and competitive differentiation.
Implementation Overview
- Phased approach: gap analysis, process design, validation, audits.
- Applies to manufacturers, suppliers, distributors globally.
- Timelines 9–36 months; involves eQMS, training, certification audits.
APRA CPS 234 Details
What It Is
APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 (Information Security) is a binding prudential regulation issued by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. Effective from 1 July 2019, it mandates APRA-regulated entities (banks, insurers, super funds) to maintain information security capabilities commensurate with threats to minimize impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets, including those managed by third parties. It adopts a risk-based, assurance-driven approach emphasizing governance, testing, and notification.
Key Components
- 11 core requirements spanning governance, capability maintenance, asset classification, controls, incident response, testing, and internal audit.
- Pillars include Board accountability, systematic testing, third-party assessments, and strict APRA notifications (72 hours for material incidents, 10 business days for control weaknesses).
- Built on CIA triad principles; no fixed controls but commensurate with risk.
- Compliance via evidence-based assurance, no formal certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for APRA entities to avoid penalties, enforcement.
- Enhances cyber resilience, protects stakeholders, integrates with CPS 220/230.
- Builds trust, reduces incident impacts, enables proportional implementation.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, policy framework, asset register, controls, testing.
- Applies to all sizes in Australian financial sector; audits via internal/APRA review. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 13485 | APRA CPS 234 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Medical device QMS lifecycle | Financial sector information security |
| Industry | Global medical devices | Australia financial services |
| Nature | Voluntary certification standard | Mandatory prudential regulation |
| Testing | Internal audits, process validation | Systematic independent control testing |
| Penalties | Loss of certification | Regulatory enforcement, fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 13485 and APRA CPS 234
ISO 13485 FAQ
APRA CPS 234 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

Image this: What if GDPR would have NOT been implemented by the EU
What if the EU never implemented GDPR? Explore this hypothetical: consumer data protection in Dec 2025, key differences, pros/cons for users & companies. Read t

How to Implement CIS Controls v8.1 as a ‘Control Backbone’ for NIS2 & DORA (Step-by-Step Implementation Guide)
Deploy CIS Controls v8.1 as a control backbone for NIS2 & DORA compliance. Step-by-step roadmap (IG1→IG2), deliverables, metrics & evidence model for hybrid/clo

ISO 27701 Implementation Roadmap: Extending Your ISMS to PIMS in 12 Months or Less
Extend ISO 27001 ISMS to ISO 27701 PIMS in 12 months with our phased roadmap. Templates, checklists & infographics for RoPA, DSARs & audit-ready privacy complia
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
POPIA vs C-TPAT
Discover POPIA vs C-TPAT: Compare South Africa's GDPR-aligned privacy law with US CBP's supply chain security standard. Key insights for global compliance, risks & strategies.
TOGAF vs APRA CPS 234
TOGAF vs APRA CPS 234: Align enterprise architecture with cyber security standards for AU financial compliance. Discover governance, testing & third-party strategies. Boost resilience now!
PDPA vs IFS Food
Discover PDPA vs IFS Food: Compare Singapore/Thailand/Taiwan privacy laws with global food safety standards for compliance mastery. Unlock strategies now!