The Canadian government has amended effective from 7 May the warning labels for tanning equipment by replacing the primary hazard statement "Ultraviolet radiation" with "Tanning equipment can cause cancer." The text "Not recommended for use by those under 18 years of age" has also been added to the label and the information on the label has been reorganised to improve readability. In addition, the amendments reflect the latest editions of two technical standards referenced in the current regulations. The first standard includes information pertaining to regular household lamp holders with which tanning lamps should not be used (i.e., double-contact medium screw lamp holders and single-contact medium screw lamp holders). The second standard is used to calculate first and maximum exposure times for first-time tanning equipment users (i.e., exposure times are based on an erythema reference action spectrum).

The objective of these changes is to provide users of tanning equipment with clear information on the risks of using such equipment. Canadian authorities note that updating the health risk information on tanning equipment warning labels responds to scientific findings that tanning equipment users are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer, and youth are at even greater risk. According to the World Health Organisation, the risk of developing skin melanoma increases by 75 percent when use of tanning beds starts before the age of 35. Exposure to ultraviolet A and B radiation from tanning can also cause sunburn, damage a person's eyes and have other adverse health effects.

The Radiation Emitting Devices Act provides Health Canada with the authority to recommend regulations to the governor in council regarding the labelling of radiation emitting devices such as tanning equipment for the purpose of protecting persons against genetic or personal injury, impairment of health or death from radiation. This includes prescribing the information that must be present on a label and the manner in which that information must be shown. The Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations also stipulate safety and engineering requirements for tanning equipment required at the time of sale, resale, lease or importation to protect users from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.