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Regulator proposes industry overhaul following safety concerns
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has unveiled sweeping reforms to sunscreen regulations after investigations revealed widespread discrepancies in advertised sun protection levels. The move follows a consumer advocacy report that triggered public alarm in a nation with one of the world's highest skin cancer rates.
Background: A crisis of confidence
Last year, consumer group Choice tested 20 popular sunscreen brands and found 16 failed to meet their claimed SPF ratings. Among the products was Ultra Violette's Lean Screen, which advertised SPF 50+ but delivered only SPF 4 in testing, prompting a voluntary recall. An ABC investigation later alleged issues with a leading testing laboratory and a manufacturer supplying a widely used base formula.
Australia records approximately 2,000 skin cancer deaths annually, while two-thirds of Australians are expected to develop at least one skin cancer in their lifetime. Despite existing strict regulations, the TGA described the current system as reactive, monitoring products only after they reach the market rather than pre-approval.
Key proposed changes
The TGA's reform package targets three core areas: testing reliability, transparency, and labeling clarity. Proposals include mandatory accreditation for testing laboratories, expanded testing requirements, and greater scrutiny of cosmetic sunscreens claiming high protection levels.
Labeling reforms would replace numeric SPF ratings with categorical descriptors-low, medium, high, and very high-though this proposal has drawn criticism from consumer advocates. The review will not address ingredient safety or products specifically formulated for children.
"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."
Andy Kelly, Choice
Industry and expert reactions
Choice has opposed removing numeric SPF labels, arguing the current system is globally recognized and only requires accuracy. However, cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong previously told the BBC that SPF testing has become "more of a marketing exercise than a real reflection of efficacy," noting inherent variability in both products and testing methods.
Despite the controversy, Wong emphasized that 95% of the sunscreens tested by Choice still provided sufficient protection to "more than halve the incidence of skin cancer."
Next steps
The TGA's proposals are now open for public consultation, with stakeholders invited to submit feedback before final regulations are drafted. No timeline has been provided for implementation, but the agency has signaled urgency given the country's skin cancer burden.
