Interim Order to provide oversight of UV Radiation-emitting Devices and Ozone-generating Devices used to kill bacteria and viruses
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The objective of the Interim Order is to protect the health and safety of Canadians by providing appropriate oversight of UV and ozone-generating devices. The Order brings certain ultraviolet radiation-emitting ("UV”) and ozone-generating devices under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA).
Thousands of these devices are being sold for use predominantly in domestic dwellings, including UV wands and UV cleaners (e.g., represented and sold to disinfect or sanitize toys, bags, or cellphones). Based on a preliminary search of e-commerce sites, over 2 000 UV devices marketed to sanitize cellphones and over 550 UV devices marketed to sanitize toys are available to purchase online from a single retailer. The availability of these devices was precipitated by the pandemic. The marketplace also includes devices that emit ultraviolet radiation (e.g., represented and sold to disinfect small to large rooms) and ozone-generating devices intended to treat surfaces, air within an enclosed space, or water (e.g., in humidifiers or as a cleaning solution).
To date, Health Canada has not yet received sufficient evidence to demonstrate that they can be used safely or that they work as claimed.
The order exempts devices used in swimming pools, spas or wastewater treatment systems, and exempts devices that meet standards recognized by the Standards Council of Canada, which captures devices used by water treatment plants and clearly is not intended to provide oversite to devices being used by our members. I
Access the Gazette Notice at:
https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2021/2021-06-26/html/notice-avis-eng.html#nb1
