Ottawa, Canada – The Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI), in partnership with the Human Research Standards Organization (HRSO), is pleased to announce the opening of the public review period for the collaborative draft standard: CAN/DGSI 131 / HRSO 200.01 – Ethical Review and Oversight of Human Research.
Ensuring Ethics, Safety, and Integrity in Human Research
Human research plays a vital role in advancing science and improving lives. One of the core ethical justifications for conducting such research is its potential benefit to society.
Because human research seeks to explore the unknown, participation is not without risk. It is therefore essential that research involving humans be conducted ethically, rigorously, and safely, ensuring that the rights, dignity, and welfare of research participants are protected at every stage.
This proposed standard establishes clear expectations and best practices for those engaged in the ethical review and oversight of human research. It applies to:
- Individuals and organizations—both public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit—involved in human research oversight.
- Entities responsible for establishing and administering Research Ethics Boards (REBs).
- Regulatory authorities and other organizations that evaluate or accredit REBs.
Building Clarity and Consistency in Research Ethics
By reducing variability in how regulations, policies, and guidelines are interpreted, CAN/DGSI 131 / HRSO 200.01 promotes unambiguous, documented procedures based on Canadian and international normative references.
This standard will strengthen ethical oversight and promote greater consistency, accountability, and trust in human research across Canada.
Call for Public Participation
DGSI and HRSO invite all stakeholders—including researchers, institutions, ethics professionals, regulators, and research participants—to take part in the public review process.
“This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of ethical oversight in human research,” said Darryl Kingston, Executive Director of DGSI. “Your feedback helps build a safer, more reliable, and ethically sound research environment in Canada.”
The public review period for CAN/DGSI 131 / HRSO 200.01 runs from November 12, 2025, to January 12, 2026.
To review the draft standard and submit feedback, please visit:
CAN/DGSI 131 / HRSO 200.01 – Ethical Review and Oversight of Human Research
Media Contacts
Darryl Kingston
Executive Director
Digital Governance Standards Institute
darryl.kingston@dgc-cgn.org
About the Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI)
The Digital Governance Standards Institute develops digital technology governance standards fit for global use. The Institute works with experts, as well as national and global partners and the public to develop national standards that reduce risk to Canadians and Canadian organizations adopting and using innovative digital technologies in today’s digital economy. The Institute is an independent division of the Digital Governance Council. To learn more about the organization and its initiatives, visit www.dgc-cgn.org or contact info@dgc-cgn.org.
About the Human Research Standards Organization (HRSO)
HRSO is a Canadian, not-for-profit, standards development organization that develops standards of relevance to Canadians conducting, overseeing, and participating in human research. HRSO adheres to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade: Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption, and Application of Standards in the development of service and management standards for human research.