Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation: ORS C9

The Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation: ORS C9 2020 (ORS C9 2020) is currently in force. The code of practice came into force on 31 July 2020 and was issued under section 86 of the Radiation Safety Act 2016 (the Act).

ORS C9 2020 supersedes two previous codes of safe practice that dealt separately with veterinary X-rays (CSP 21) and the administration of Iodine-131 for treatment of thyroid conditions in cats (CSP 11). ORS C9 2020 consolidates these requirements and covers the previous gap on the administration of other radioactive material such as Technecium-99m in equine veterinary practice. Specific requirements for each type of equipment and training are set out as appendices to ORS C9 2020. ORS C9 2020 also introduces a new requirement to document and verify the adequacy of shielding when shielding is required.

In 2025, ORS C9 2020 was reviewed under section 90 of the Act. The review findings and proposed next steps can be found at Consultation on the Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation: ORS C9 2020. 

Scope of ORS C9 2020

ORS C9 2020 sets out the technical requirements that a person must comply with in order to comply with the fundamental requirements set out in sections 9 to 12 of the Act.

The code of practice applies to any person who deals with a radiation source that is within the scope of the code of practice. The scope of ORS C9 2020 is set out in the code of practice. To ‘deal with’ a radiation source that is within the scope of ORS C9 2020 means to: manufacture, possess, control, manage, use, store, export, import, sell, supply, or dispose of a radiation source, or to carry out any other activity or practice involving the radiation source.

The scope of the code of practice includes radiation practices involving irradiating apparatus and radioactive material for veterinary diagnosis and research. Irradiating apparatus can include fixed and portable X-ray equipment, as well as X-ray equipment capable of computed tomography. Radioactive material can include technetium-99m used for veterinary diagnosis and iodine-131 used for veterinary therapy.