As first reported by the ABC, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has announced a new set of changes to the way sunscreens are tested in Australia.
Under these new rules, brands will be forced to test sunscreens multiple times and send the results to the TGA before going to market. Crucially, brands also have to test the finished product as opposed to the base formula, and continue testing sunscreens throughout their shelf life.
CHOICE welcomes TGA announcement
Andy Kelly, CHOICE director of consumer impact, welcomed the changes.
“CHOICE welcomes the TGA’s proposed sunscreen reforms, following CHOICE testing last year which found 16 of 20 sunscreen products did not live up to their SPF claims – revealing an urgent need for changes to the way sunscreen is regulated.”
CHOICE welcomes the TGA’s proposed sunscreen reforms, following CHOICE testing last year which found 16 of 20 sunscreen products did not live up to their SPF claims
Andy Kelly, CHOICE Director of Consumer Impact
“We’re pleased to see the TGA has proposed stricter rules which would require sunscreen brands to test their finished product, rather than just the base formula, and provide the results to the TGA before the product is listed.
“Brands would also be required to continuously test their products following listing. Currently, sunscreen brands are not required to provide any SPF testing data to the TGA unless requested, so this change would greatly improve the transparency around how brands have tested their products.
“However, the TGA is not proposing to routinely monitor and evaluate test results. Sunscreen brands would also only be required to provide test results confidentially to the TGA.
“In the interest of transparency and public safety, we believe these results should be made available to everyone and that the TGA should routinely monitor test results, as well as conduct its own compliance testing program,” says Kelly.
After an ABC report discovered many of the sunscreens that failed CHOICE testing were using an overseas lab, the TGA is also hoping to strengthen accreditation rules for the labs that undertake sunscreen tests.
“CHOICE also supports the TGA’s recommended changes to how labs conducting SPF testing are regulated, following concerns around the reliability of some laboratories,” said Kelly.
“Under the proposed reforms, any labs conducting SPF testing for products available in Australia would require international accreditation.”
“In a country where around two in three people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, consumers deserve to trust the claims on sunscreen products are accurate. These proposed reforms are an important step towards ensuring this is the case. We look forward to continuing to work with the TGA to improve the regulation of sunscreens in Australia.”
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Mark Serrels is the Editorial director at CHOICE. Mark oversees content on a wide variety of topics and enjoys making complex subjects easy to understand.
Prior to CHOICE, Mark worked in technology and games journalism. He edited magazines and worked on sites such as Kotaku, Gizmodo and CNET.
Mark enjoys communicating the CHOICE mission to the broadest audience possible. He wants all Australians to be informed, entertained and above all, empowered as consumers.
Mark has a Master of Arts from the University of Stirling, Scotland. LinkedIn
Mark Serrels is the Editorial director at CHOICE. Mark oversees content on a wide variety of topics and enjoys making complex subjects easy to understand.
Prior to CHOICE, Mark worked in technology and games journalism. He edited magazines and worked on sites such as Kotaku, Gizmodo and CNET.
Mark enjoys communicating the CHOICE mission to the broadest audience possible. He wants all Australians to be informed, entertained and above all, empowered as consumers.
Mark has a Master of Arts from the University of Stirling, Scotland. LinkedIn
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