Health Canada has issued new guidance for devicemakers on requirements for ultraviolet radiation (UV) equipment used to decontaminate devices.

The agency noted that there are three main types of UV rays — ultraviolet-A, ultraviolet-B and ultraviolet-C — but only ultraviolet-C, which has the highest energy, is suitable for decontamination purposes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an interest in using UV-based decontamination systems for reusable medical devices and to reprocess single-use devices, the agency said. The guidance explains how UV devices should be used to decontaminate single-use devices and on soft surfaces, such as on personal protective equipment.