X-rays: Government’s role

On this page

• Health Canada
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Federal Provincial Territorial Radiation Protection Committee
• Provincial and territorial governments

Health Canada

The protection of people in Canada from the health effects of radiation is a shared responsibility between federal and provincial or territorial governments.

Health Canada helps to protect you from radiation risks by regulating devices that give off radiation. X-ray equipment that is imported, sold, leased or advertised in Canada must meet the requirements of the following legislation, as applicable:

• Radiation Emitting Devices Act (REDA)
  • governs the sale, lease and importation of radiation-emitting medical devices in Canada, including X-ray equipment
• Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (REDR)
  • sets out radiation safety standards for labelling, construction and performance of certain classes of radiation-emitting devices
• Medical Devices Regulations (MDR) under the Food and Drugs Act
  • addresses medical device safety, quality and effectiveness, including requirements for licensing

Health Canada also:

• prepares guidance documents to provide information to regulated parties and stakeholders on how to comply with governing acts and regulations
• prepares safety codes to provide radiation protection guidance
  • the codes promote consistency in radiation protection practices to support the safe installation and use of radiation-emitting devices in Canada

Learn more about:

• Radiation safety codes
• Radiation Emitting Devices Act and Regulations

Employment and Social Development Canada

The Canada Labour Code is the labour law that applies to federally regulated employers and employees. It's under the purview of the Minister of Labour.

Under the code, Section 10.26 of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations on hazardous substances sets out the requirements for devices used in the workplace that can produce and emit energy in the form of ionizing or non-ionizing radiation. This section requires that the employer implement the applicable safety code.

Learn more about:

• List of federally regulated industries and workplaces
• Overview of the parts of the Canada Labour Code and how they apply to your workplace
• Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part X (Hazardous Substances) Section 10.26

Federal Provincial Territorial Radiation Protection Committee

The Federal Provincial Territorial Radiation Protection Committee (FPTRPC) was created to help harmonize radiation practices and standards and communicate these to the people of Canada.

Learn more about:

• Federal Provincial Territorial Radiation Protection Committee

Provincial and territorial governments

Through their respective legislation and along with professional orders and associations, provinces and territories may establish:

• rules for the safe installation and use of X-ray equipment
• protocols and safety requirements for operators of X-ray equipment

To find out the regulatory requirements in your province or territory, contact your provincial or territorial radiation protection authority.

Learn more about:

• Provincial and territorial radiation protection authorities