ISO 10993-17:2002 specifies the determination of allowable limits for substances leachable from medical devices. It is intended for use in deriving standards and estimating appropriate limits where standards do not exist. It describes a systematic process through which identified risks arising from toxicologically hazardous substances present in medical devices can be quantified.

ISO 10993-17:2002 is not applicable to devices that have no patient contact (e.g. in vitro diagnostic devices).

Exposure to a particular chemical substance may arise from sources other than the device, such as food, water or air. ISO 10993-17:2002 does not address the potential for exposure from such sources.