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Sunscreen Protection Claims Set to Face Stricter Tests
Brands would need finished-product SPF tests and periodic retesting, as the regulator seeks stronger evidence and tighter oversight after widespread label failures.
- On Tuesday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration announced proposed reforms requiring Australian sunscreen brands to test finished products and provide results to the regulator before market entry.
- These changes follow 2025 testing by consumer advocacy group Choice, which revealed that 16 of 20 popular sunscreen products failed to meet their labeled SPF claims.
- Proposed reforms include mandating SPF results from accredited laboratories, introducing non-human "in vitro" testing methods, and requiring continuous testing throughout a product's shelf life.
- Consumer Healthcare Products Australia, representing manufacturers, urged "caution on changes that could add cost and complexity without clearly improving results," while working to ensure smooth transitions.
- Chief medical advisor Robyn Langham said the proposal aims to make "SPF claims more reliable," with reforms to be implemented in stages following further consultation.
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Australia is cracking down and preparing to increase inspections of sunscreens after a scandal involving several brands that failed to deliver the protection stated on the label. Some brands claimed SPF 50+ but tests found they were only SPF 4.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources20
Leaning Left8Leaning Right3Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 31%
R 19%
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