In brief
Australia’s regulatory authority has outlined reforms to tighten sunscreen regulation, citing evidence that certain products fail to deliver the listed sun‑protection factor. The changes will strengthen laboratory testing, set ingredient standards and limit the SPF claims cosmetic sunscreens can advertise, with a review of manufacturing guidance also planned. The agency, which serves a country with the world’s highest skin‑cancer incidence, said further consultations will precede implementation.
On 28 October 2026, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced a series of proposed reforms aimed at tightening the regulation of sunscreen products, after reports that some goods do not perform as advertised by their claimed sun‑protection factor (SPF) values.
The TGA’s draft plan, released early on the day, calls for strengthened testing requirements, the introduction of quality benchmarks for key sunscreen ingredients, and restrictions on the SPF labels cosmetic sunscreens may display. It also proposes a review of good manufacturing practice guidance to clarify industry obligations and preserve confidence in product safety and efficacy.
The agency cited Australia’s status as having the highest skin‑cancer incidence in the world, emphasizing that the core objective of sunscreen regulation is to ensure that products are safe, effective and reliable in shielding consumers from harmful ultraviolet radiation. By tightening controls, the TGA argues it will help reduce the prevalence and impact of skin cancer.
An overview of the public consultation effort highlighted that from March to May, the TGA received nearly 120 responses covering a wide spectrum of stakeholders – ranging from industry representatives and laboratory specialists to health professionals, consumer groups, academia, and other parties. The consultation provided a platform for reporting concerns about product performance and prompted discussions around how best to protect Australians from sun damage.
Dr David Whiteman of the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute publicly supported the proposed reforms, noting that independent testing had revealed that some sunscreens fell short of their labelled SPF. He said the reforms would improve the rigor, transparency and relevance of sunscreen testing and review of manufacturing practices. His comments reflect a broader push within the scientific community for more stringent verification of product claims.
Before the TGA moves forward with any regulatory amendments, the agency has indicated it will hold additional consultations specifically focused on SPF labeling. These discussions will gather further input, ensuring that any changes to permissible claims remain grounded in evidence and reflect current best practices.
