A Research Ethics Board (REB) is an ethics review committee, commonly used in Canada and other jurisdictions, that performs a role similar to a U.S. IRB.
REBs review protocols, informed consent materials, recruitment plans, and safety information to ensure participants are protected and risks are justified. In multinational studies, sponsors must align ethics submissions to REB requirements in addition to U.S. regulatory expectations. REB determinations can affect consent language, privacy safeguards, and monitoring requirements based on local standards. Consistent REB oversight strengthens ethical governance and public trust across international research programs.