Health Canada Launches Public Consultation on Safety Code 6

Furthering commitment to transparency and openness in its decision-making processes

OTTAWA, May 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Today Health Canada launched a public consultation process to solicit feedback on a revised version of Safety Code 6. This Safety Code is Health Canada's guideline for recommended human exposure limits to radiofrequency electromagnetic energy, the kind of energy given off by various electronic devices such as cell phones and Wi-Fi, as well as broadcasting and cell phone towers. This is the first time Safety Codes have been opened for public consultation.

The revised Safety Code 6 has been posted on Health Canada's website and is open for comment until July 15, 2014. Health Canada will consider comments related to the scientific and technical aspect of Safety Code 6 in the development of the final revised guideline, which is expected to be published in Fall 2014. Canadians can provide comments on the revised Safety Code 6 by visiting Health Canada's website.

Health Canada reminds all Canadians that their health is protected from radiofrequency electromagnetic energy by the human exposure limits in Safety Code 6.  The current Safety Code establishes and maintains human exposure limits that are far below the established, scientific threshold for potentially adverse health effects.  The limits in the current Safety Code 6, based on established, scientific evidence, provide protection against all known adverse health effects for all individuals.

Quick Facts

• Canada's current human exposure limits are consistent with science-based standards used in other parts of the world (e.g., the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand).
  
  
• Health Canada's proposed Safety Code 6 will make Canada's limits among the most conservative science-based limits in the world.
  
  
• In keeping with the Regulatory Transparency and Openness Framework for Health Canada, this is the first time Safety Codes have been open for public consultation.
  
  

Associated Links
Understanding Safety Code 6
Busting Myths on Safety Code 6
Health Canada Consultation on the Revised Safety Code 6
Health Canada's Statement on the Royal Society of Canada's Expert Panel Report on Safety Code 6

SOURCE: Health Canada

Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
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