Radiation Emitting Devices

Act: Radiation Emitting Devices Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-1
Regulation: Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations, C.R.C., Vol. XIV, c. 1370, p. 11001

 

To Whom Does This Apply?

Manufacturers, distributors, lessors and importers of radiation emitting devices, including:

• television receivers
• dental x-ray equipment
• microwave ovens
• baggage inspection x-ray device
• demonstration type gas discharge devices
• laser scanners
• demonstration lasers
• low energy electron microscopes
• high intensity mercury vapour discharge lamps
• sunlamps
• diagnostic x-ray equipment
• ultrasound therapy devices
• analytical x-ray equipment
• cabinet x-ray equipment
• any other devices that can emit x-rays or non-ionizing radiation

Summary

The Radiation Emitting Devices (RED) Act governs the sale, lease and import of certain radiation emitting devices used for medical and industrial purposes or by consumers. The Act sets safety performance standards for the sale, lease, import, labelling, packaging, and advertising of radiation emitting devices to ensure that workers and the public are not placed at risk.

Manufacturers and importers are required to notify the Minister of Health Canada if a device does not comply with the regulations or creates a risk to any person. In addition, a series of voluntary safety codes that apply to radiation emitting devices in the workplace have been developed to provide guidance to employers. A list of safety codes within the x-ray and non-ionizing sections is included below.

The Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations prescribe safety performance and labelling that govern the design, construction and functioning of certain classes of radiation emitting devices. All radiation emitting devices must meet the general provisions of the Act, regardless whether or not they are subject to specific regulations. The text of the Act and Regulations can be found on the Web site of the Department of Justice Canada.

Safety Codes and Guidelines within the x-ray and non-ionizing sections (most Radiation Safety Code Publications are available from the Health Canada Web site):

• Safety Code 6. Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz, 1999, 75 p.
• Safety Code 20A. X-Ray Equipment in Medical Diagnosis Part A: Recommended Safety Procedures for Installation and Use, 1980, 101 p.
• Safety Code 23. Guidelines for the Safe Use of Ultrasound: Part I - Medical and Paramedical Applications, 1989, 62 p.
• Safety Code 24. Guidelines for the Safe Use of Ultrasound: Part II - Industrial and Commercial Applications, 1991, 44 p.
• Safety Code 25. Short-Wave Diathermy Guidelines for Limited Radiofrequency Exposure, 1983, 19 p.
• Safety Code 26. Guidelines on Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields from Magnetic Resonance Clinical Systems, 1987, 20 p.
• Safety Code 28. Radiation Protection in Veterinary Medicine, 1991, 38 p. Safety Code 29. Requirements for the Safe Use of Baggage X-Ray Inspection Systems, 1993, 25 p.
• Safety Code 30. Radiation Protection in Dentistry, 1994, 86 p.
• Safety Code 31. Radiation Protection in Computed tomography Installations, 1994, 43 p.
• Safety Code 32. Safety Requirements and Guidance for Analytical X-Ray Equipment, 1994, 33 p.
• Safety Code 33. Radiation Protection in Mammography, 1995, 85 p.
• Safety Code 34. Radiation Protection and Safety for Industrial X-Ray Equipment, 2003, 55 p.
• Diagnostic X-Ray Equipment Compliance and Facility Survey, 1994, 98 p. Price: $12.95
• Radiation Safety for Baggage X-Ray Inspection Systems (Manual), 1994, 81 p. Price: $15.95
• National Guidelines for Environmental Noise Control, 1989, 82 p.

Note: Publications that are not available from the Web site may be ordered from Canadian Government Publishing, Communications Canada, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0S9.

 

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this section is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. For particular questions, the users are invited to contact their lawyer. For additional information, see contact(s) listed below.

Manitoba Contact(s):
See National Contact.

 

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National Contact(s):
Mr. Robert P. Bradley
Director
Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau
Health Canada
A.L. 6302C
775 Brookfield Road
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 1C1
Telephone: 613-954-6701
Fax: 613-952-7584
Toll-free (information): 1-866-225-0709
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-267-1245
Web site: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html