CANADIAN LICENSING PROCEDURE FOR POSSESSION AND USE OF PORTABLE X-RAY TUBE BASED XRF ANALYZERS

Any person or company employee intending to operate these devices in Canada MUST be certified by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) as an XRF Operator – Level 1 or Level 2. The Company must also be registered with their appropriate provincial or territorial agency where the device will be stored and used.

Alternatively, Niton XRF analyzers containing X-Ray tubes can be configured as benchtop models. Benchtop systems are not subject to licensing by NRCan, as their operation is restricted by safety features and provisions.

NRCAN Application Process

CANADIAN LICENSING PROCEDURE FOR POSSESSION AND USE OF RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPE(S)

Any Company intending to have their employees operate an XRF analyzer utilizing a radioactive isotope MUST be licensed to possess the isotope by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

SHIPPING AN ISOTOPE BASED XRF ANALYZER WITHIN CANADA

Any person or company who is shipping a Niton XRF analyzer containing a radioactive isotope must first ensure the follow criteria have been met:

• A leak test certificate dated no more than 12 months prior, must be placed in an envelope and attached to the outside of the analyzer’s box or package.


• The package must have two UN-2911 designation labels placed on two opposing sides. The UN-2911 labels MUST have a red (dashed) border.
  UN-2911 Labels


• The Consigning person or company has a CNSC license permitting the possession of the sealed source, and that the license has not expired.

It is highly recommended that any isotope based Niton analyzers be shipped in their original holster, which contains lead shielding for added security and protection.

SHIPPING A X-RAY TUBE XRF ANALYZER WITHIN CANADA

Any person or company who is shipping a Niton XRF analyzer containing an X-Ray tube must only ensure that the battery is removed from the instrument prior to shipping.

PLEASE NOTE:
If you are shipping your analyzer to our facilities for service or repairs, you must contact our Service Department for a Return Authorization form. A completed copy of this form must accompany your instrument.

Leak testing is mandatory on all Niton XRF analyzers which contain sealed-sources. These instruments must undergo a swab test every 12 months or less, to ensure proper containment of the isotope(s). These swab tests must then be sent to a lab for testing. The testing lab will issue a certificate indicating the level of radioactivity found on the swab.

Leak test certificates are required to be renewed by the person or company who owns and operates the instrument.

Leak tests are required in order to ship any XRF analyzer containing an isotope within Canada.

Testing Labs and Instructions