The objective of this article is to relate the experience of the Research Ethics Committee of the Secretary of Health, Federal District, Brazil (CEP/SES/DF) during 10 years (1997-2007) from its creation. It deals with a descriptive and documentary evaluation, in the form of case studies, utilizing all projects subject to protocol in CEP/SES/DF (Number 052/08) during that period.The most frequent conflicts were: terms of free and informed consent (30%), identification page (25%), methodology (20%), curriculum vitae (12%), budget (9%), others (4%).The activity report of CEP/SES/DF in 10 years revealed, as a result of its productivity, legitimacy in the process of ethical analysis of protocols which confirms the protection of research participants.