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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Recognized Consensus Standards: Medical Devices
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Part B: Supplementary Information Sheet (SIS)
FR Recognition List Number 065 Date of Entry 12/22/2025 
FR Recognition Number 8-637
Standard
ASTM  F2579-24
Standard Specification for Amorphous Poly(lactide) and Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Resins for Surgical Implants
Scope/Abstract
1.1 This specification covers virgin amorphous poly(lactide) homopolymer and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer resins intended for use in surgical implants. The poly(dl-lactide) homopolymers covered by this specification are considered to be amorphous (that is, void of crystallinity) and are polymerized either from meso-lactide or from equimolar (racemic) combinations of d-lactide and l-lactide. The poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers covered by this specification are also considered to be amorphous and are co-polymerized from a combination of glycolide and either meso-lactide or racemic quantities of d-lactide and l-lactide, and typically possess nominal mole fractions that equal or exceed 50% lactide.

1.2 Since poly(glycolide) is commonly abbreviated as PGA for poly(glycolic acid) and poly(lactide) is commonly abbreviated as PLA for poly(lactic acid), these polymers are commonly referred to as PGA, PLA, and PLA:PGA resins for the hydrolytic byproducts to which they respectively degrade. PLA is a term that carries no stereoisomeric specificity and therefore encompasses both the amorphous atactic/syndiotactic dl-lactide-based polymers and copolymers as well as the isotactic d-PLA and l-PLA moieties, each of which carries potential for crystallization. Therefore, specific reference to dl-PLA is essential to appropriately differentiate the amorphous atactic/syndiotactic dl-lactide-based polymers and copolymers covered by this specification. Thus, inclusion of stereoisomeric specificity within the lactic acid-based acronyms results in the following: poly(l-lactide) as PlLA for poly(l-lactic acid), poly(d-lactide) as PdLA for poly(d-lactic acid), and poly(dl-lactide) as PdlLA for poly(dl-lactic acid).

1.3 This specification covers virgin amorphous poly(lactide)-based resins able to be fully solvated at 30°C by either methylene chloride (dichloromethane) or chloroform (trichloromethane).
Extent of Recognition
Complete standard
Rationale for Recognition
This standard is relevant to medical devices and is recognized on its scientific and technical merit and/or because it supports existing regulatory policies.
Transition Period
FDA recognition of ASTM F2579-18 [Rec# 8-508] will be superseded by recognition of ASTM F2579-24 [Rec# 8-637]. FDA will accept declarations of conformity, in support of premarket submissions, to [Rec# 8-508] until December 19, 2027. After this transition period, declarations of conformity to [Rec# 8-508] will not be accepted.
Relevant FDA Guidance and/or Supportive Publications*
Appropriate Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards in Premarket Submissions for Medical Devices - Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff, issued September 2018.
FDA Technical Contact
 Jinrong (Jinny) Liu
  FDA/OC/CDRH/OPEQ/OHTII/DHTIIC/
  240-402-3160
  jinrong.liu@fda.hhs.gov
Standards Development Organization
ASTM ASTM International http://www.astm.org/
FDA Specialty Task Group (STG)
Materials
*These are provided as examples and others may be applicable.
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