Tanning Equipment Regulations Updated, Canada

Main Category: Dermatology
Article Date: 10 Mar 2005 - 11:00 PDT

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OTTAWA - Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh announced today that amendments to the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Tanning Equipment) which modernize the current standards to address the new technology being used for today's more powerful tanning devices, came into force on February 23, 2005 with their publication in the Canada Gazette - Part II.

"The new regulations give tanning-equipment users better information on the harmful effects of ultraviolet exposure," said Minister Dosanjh. "Users now have the opportunity to make more informed decisions when using tanning equipment."

It is now well recognized in the scientific and medical communities that overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to skin and eye damage and is linked to the development of skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in Canada. Overexposure is any exposure to ultraviolet radiation that exceeds the amount needed for vitamin D production. Tanning is not safe: it can cause skin damage and can promote skin cancer.

The Radiation Emitting Devices Act prohibits or restricts the sale, re-sale, lease or importation of products that are, or are likely to be, a danger to the health of the public. Under the authority of the Act, the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Sunlamps) were introduced in 1980 to protect sunlamp users from ultraviolet overexposure effects by restricting the time of exposure. New technology and tanning equipment designs, in addition to recent scientific studies, showed that the 1980 requirements needed to be updated to ensure safer use of the new equipment.

The Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Tanning Equipment) were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on March 13, 2004. Following the publication, interested parties were given an opportunity to provide comments. The proposed amendments were revised, taking the suggestions of the respondents into account.

The Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Tanning Equipment) set out the technical requirements for modern tanning devices and their replacement parts for sale, resale, importation or lease in Canada as follows:

-- Manufacturers must now recommend a maximum exposure time for the user's first exposure. This exposure time depends on the characteristics of the lamps and varies according to the type of tanning equipment.

-- Manufacturers must now recommend a maximum number of exposure times per year. The number of exposures needed to reach that dose depends on the characteristics of the lamps and varies according to the type of tanning equipment.

-- Introduces a way to calculate the exposure times that takes into account skin sensitivity and the characteristics of the lamps.

-- Provide warnings to consumers related to the use of tanning equipment. The new warning signs must be permanently affixed to the external surface of the tanning equipment and bear the information, clearly legible, and readily accessible to view by the user immediately before use.

The Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Tanning Equipment) apply only to equipment sold or resold after the amendments come into force. They are not retroactive.

Health Canada's changes to the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Tanning Equipment) recognize the input from the provinces, radiation protection authorities, the medical community and concerned citizens who requested that Health Canada regulate sunlamps more stringently. Regulations on the use of tanning equipment do not exist at the provincial/territorial levels.

Health Canada Inspectors will continue compliance monitoring and enforcement under the authority of the Radiation Emitting Devices Act and its Regulations.

Ultraviolet lamps used under professional supervision by medical doctors to treat certain skin conditions are considered medical devices and, therefore, are regulated under the Food and Drugs Act (Medical Devices Regulations).

For more information:

Guidelines for tanning salon owners, operators and users

Media Inquiries:

Margot Geduld/Carole Saindon
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588

Adèle Blanchard
Office of Minister Dosanjh
Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991

This is a press release from Health Canada

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