# International Recognition Procedure Source: https://www.keypedia.com/records/uk_mhra_guidance/uk-mhra/831731ed-eaba-48bd-90dd-8657b01585a3 Type: Guidance Published: August 29, 2023 Updated: January 21, 2026 > The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has introduced the International Recognition Procedure (IRP), which officially became effective on January 1, 2024. This regulatory framework is designed to provide patients in the United Kingdom with expedited access to safe and effective medicines by leveraging existing approvals from trusted global partners. These partners include regulatory bodies from Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, and the United States. This new route operates in conjunction with the MHRA’s existing national procedures to streamline the approval process. While the document does not list specific company violations or inspection dates, it details the necessary actions for applicants seeking to use this pathway. Organizations must complete a mandatory eligibility checker form and are advised to thoroughly review the MHRA's guidance and pre-application questions. Additionally, applicants should coordinate with their IT departments to ensure they can save documentation in the required PDF format. To facilitate a smooth transition, the MHRA provided educational webinars in November 2023 and April 2024, which offer detailed instructions and post-launch updates for prospective applicants to follow. --- ## Content Eligibility checker Fill in the eligibility checker form . See our guidance on how to complete the eligibility checker and submit your application before completing the above form. You may also find it of benefit to review the full list of eligibility checker questions , which includes some guidance, before completing the form. Please liaise with your IT department to ensure you can save PDFs before completing the form. MHRA has created a new international recognition route for medicines utilising pre-existing approvals from Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, Singapore and the United States. This new framework will support patients in the UK with expedited access to safe and effective medicines that have been approved by trusted regulatory partners. From 1 January 2024, international recognition will sit alongside MHRA’s current national procedures. Webinar The MHRA webinar held on 23 November 2023 provided potential applicants with the opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding of the guidance on the International Recognition Procedure. A follow-up webinar in April 2024 presented post-launch updates and latest information about the new route. MHRA International Recognition Webinar November 2023 MHRA International Recognition: post-launch updates webinar (youtube.com) ## Attachments - [Eligibility Checker and submitting your Marketing Authorisation application](/government/publications/international-recognition-procedure/eligibility-checker-and-submitting-your-marketing-authorisation-application) - [International Recognition Procedure for Product Lifecycle](/government/publications/international-recognition-procedure/international-recognition-procedure-for-product-lifecycle) - [eCTD guidance for marketing authorisation and post-authorisation applications](/government/publications/international-recognition-procedure/ectd-guidance-for-irp-mas-and-lifecycle) - [IRP initial validation checklist](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d068ce7c42acbece502c88/IRP_initial_checklist.pdf) - [IRP lifecycle validation checklist: variation, renewal](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a8f0cb0808eaf43b50d9e7/IRP-PostLicensingSubmissionChecklistV1.2.pdf) - [International Recognition Procedure - supplementary information](/government/publications/international-recognition-procedure/international-recognition-procedure-supplementary-information) - [Validation checklist form](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6822209ed9c9bb76078f7f6d/IRP-PostLicensingSubmissionChecklistV1.3.pdf) - [International Recognition Procedure](/government/publications/international-recognition-procedure/international-recognition-procedure)