Australia's sunscreen regulator has proposed sweeping reforms to the industry after a recent scandal saw dozens of popular brands pulled off shelves. An experiment by a trusted consumer advocacy group last year found many Australian sunscreens were not providing the protection they claimed, sparking public outrage in a country which is a skin cancer hotspot.
An investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation also alleged issues with a leading laboratory which tests sunscreen efficacy and a manufacturer that produced a common base formula. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has now announced plans to make sunscreen labeling simpler and introduce more oversight at testing labs.
Proposals to improve and expand testing requirements, require accreditation for testing laboratories, and increase transparency will help restore consumer trust in the reliability of SPF claims, said Andy Kelly from Choice, the group which authored the report at the center of the saga. It's vital that consumers can rely on SPF claims when purchasing products to protect their skin from the harsh Australian sun.
About 2,000 people die from skin cancer and melanoma every year in Australia, while an estimated two out of three Australians will have at least one skin cancer removed in their lifetime. Sunscreens are categorized as medicines in Australia, monitored once on the market, rather than being assessed by regulators before they reach consumers.
Despite already having some of the strictest regulations globally, the TGA stated that it is an appropriate time for an overhaul. The proposed changes will focus on improving reliability and transparency of sun protection factor (SPF) testing, as well as the quality and efficacy of certain ingredients and formulas, with particular emphasis on cosmetic sunscreens claiming high sun protection.
Labelling will also come under review, with a proposal to remove SPF number ratings and instead categorize products as low, medium, high, and very high. The safety of sunscreen ingredients will not be included in the review, nor will products designed specifically for children.
This overhaul follows a report by Choice published last June, revealing that 16 out of 20 tested sunscreens—including some premium brands—failed to meet their advertised SPF ratings. One product from Ultra Violette that claimed an SPF rating of 50+ was found to have an actual SPF of just four, resulting in a voluntary recall. The TGA's investigation also raised significant concerns about SPF testing across nearly two dozen products sharing the same base formula.
However, Kelly emphasized that Choice does not support the removal of SPF number ratings due to public familiarity and the widespread use of numbers globally, suggesting instead that accuracy should be improved. Critics have noted that current testing methods vary and can sometimes reflect more of a marketing strategy than true efficacy, indicating a need for a more rigorous approach in the future.
An investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation also alleged issues with a leading laboratory which tests sunscreen efficacy and a manufacturer that produced a common base formula. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has now announced plans to make sunscreen labeling simpler and introduce more oversight at testing labs.
Proposals to improve and expand testing requirements, require accreditation for testing laboratories, and increase transparency will help restore consumer trust in the reliability of SPF claims, said Andy Kelly from Choice, the group which authored the report at the center of the saga. It's vital that consumers can rely on SPF claims when purchasing products to protect their skin from the harsh Australian sun.
About 2,000 people die from skin cancer and melanoma every year in Australia, while an estimated two out of three Australians will have at least one skin cancer removed in their lifetime. Sunscreens are categorized as medicines in Australia, monitored once on the market, rather than being assessed by regulators before they reach consumers.
Despite already having some of the strictest regulations globally, the TGA stated that it is an appropriate time for an overhaul. The proposed changes will focus on improving reliability and transparency of sun protection factor (SPF) testing, as well as the quality and efficacy of certain ingredients and formulas, with particular emphasis on cosmetic sunscreens claiming high sun protection.
Labelling will also come under review, with a proposal to remove SPF number ratings and instead categorize products as low, medium, high, and very high. The safety of sunscreen ingredients will not be included in the review, nor will products designed specifically for children.
This overhaul follows a report by Choice published last June, revealing that 16 out of 20 tested sunscreens—including some premium brands—failed to meet their advertised SPF ratings. One product from Ultra Violette that claimed an SPF rating of 50+ was found to have an actual SPF of just four, resulting in a voluntary recall. The TGA's investigation also raised significant concerns about SPF testing across nearly two dozen products sharing the same base formula.
However, Kelly emphasized that Choice does not support the removal of SPF number ratings due to public familiarity and the widespread use of numbers globally, suggesting instead that accuracy should be improved. Critics have noted that current testing methods vary and can sometimes reflect more of a marketing strategy than true efficacy, indicating a need for a more rigorous approach in the future.
