Regulations last checked for updates: Feb 13, 2026

Title 21 - Food and Drugs last revised: Dec 18, 2026
§ 878.4018 - Hydrophilic wound dressing.

(a) Identification. A hydrophilic wound dressing is a sterile or non-sterile device intended to cover a wound and to absorb exudate. It consists of nonresorbable materials with hydrophilic properties that are capable of absorbing exudate (e.g., cotton, cotton derivatives, alginates, dextran, and rayon). This classification does not include a hydrophilic wound dressing that contains added drugs such as antimicrobial agents, added biologics such as growth factors, or is composed of materials derived from animal sources.

(b) Classification. Class I (general controls). The device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in part 807, subpart E of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 878.9.

[64 FR 53929, Oct. 5, 1999]
authority: 21 U.S.C. 351,360,360c,360e,360j,360
source: 53 FR 23872, June 24, 1988, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 21 CFR 878.4018