This part of ISO 10993 provides general principles for the systematic evaluation of the potential and observedbiodegradation of medical devices and for the design and performance of biodegradation studies.This part of ISO 10993 is not applicable to:a) viable-tissue engineered products;b) methodologies for the generation of degradation products by mechanical processes. Methodologies for theproduction of this type of degradation product are described in specific product standards, where available;c) leachable components which are not degradation products.Where product standards provide applicable product-specific methodologies for the identification and quantificationof degradation products, those standards shall be considered as alternatives.