TGA proposes sunscreen regulation reforms after SPF testing controversies in Australia
Consensus Summary
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has proposed major reforms to Australia’s sunscreen regulations following widespread concerns about inaccurate SPF claims, with consumer group CHOICE revealing 16 out of 20 popular SPF50+ products failed to meet advertised protection levels in 2023. Over a dozen sunscreens have been recalled or paused, including Banana Boat Baby Zinc (SPF28 instead of SPF50+) and Ultra Violette’s product (SPF4 instead of SPF50+), prompting the TGA to investigate unreliable testing data and manufacturer compliance. The proposed changes include stricter SPF testing oversight, potential simplification of SPF labels (e.g., replacing numbers with descriptive categories), and mandatory public disclosure of testing data to restore consumer trust. While the TGA defends its proactive approach—including recalls during reform drafting—the reforms face criticism over potential industry disruption and divergence from international SPF numbering systems. Australia’s high skin cancer mortality rates (2,000 deaths annually) underscore the urgency of these changes, though debates continue over balancing transparency with trade secret protections.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) proposed sweeping reforms to Australian sunscreen regulations, including changes to SPF testing requirements, lab oversight, and SPF labelling, with a public consultation process open.
- Consumer group CHOICE tested 20 popular SPF50 and SPF50+ sunscreens in June 2023 and found 16 did not meet their SPF label claims, with results ranging from SPF4 to SPF43 instead of the advertised SPF50+.
- More than a dozen sunscreens in Australia have been pulled from shelves or paused from supply due to concerns about SPF protection, including Banana Boat Baby Zinc Sunscreen Lotion (tested at SPF28 instead of SPF50+), Coles SPF50+ Sunscreen Ultra Tube (tested at SPF43), and Ultra Violette’s Australian Sunscreen (tested at SPF4 instead of SPF50+).
- Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer and melanoma in the world, with around 2,000 people dying each year from these conditions, according to the TGA.
- The TGA identified unreliable SPF testing data from certain laboratories and found some manufacturers lacked understanding of their legal obligations regarding SPF claims.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The TGA flagged an option to remove SPF numbers and replace them with low, medium, high, and very high ratings, citing misconceptions about the SPF scale and its non-linear protection differences (e.g., minimal difference between SPF30 and SPF50).
- The TGA acknowledged that changing SPF labelling would require legislative amendments and industry investment, creating divergence with other countries using numerical SPF ratings.
- The TGA proposed requiring sunscreen makers to publicly disclose their SPF testing data to support transparency, though it noted potential risks of exposing trade secrets or allowing competitors to reverse-engineer formulations.
- TGA Head Professor Tony Lawler stated the regulator had taken action on the industry, including mandatory and voluntary recalls, while drafting the proposed rule changes, balancing prompt and proportionate action.
- The TGA revealed in a report that current exemption rules for cosmetic sunscreens are complex and proposed adopting new testing technologies faster to strengthen confidence in sunscreen performance.
- Ultra Violette’s Instagram post claimed their sunscreen testing costs up to $150,000, stating they take product integrity seriously and ensure best protection for consumers worldwide.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 (ABC) states the TGA proposed replacing SPF numbers with low/medium/high/very high ratings, while Article 2 (ABC) does not explicitly mention this proposal as a primary focus in the headline or opening paragraphs, instead emphasizing the TGA's defense of its handling of the scandal.
- Article 1 (ABC) mentions the TGA's proposal to require public disclosure of SPF testing data, but Article 2 (ABC) does not reference this specific detail in its summary of proposed changes.
- Article 3 (NEWSCOMAU) highlights Ultra Violette’s Instagram post boasting about their $150,000 testing costs, but neither ABC article mentions this specific social media post or company response.
Source Articles
TGA releases proposed reforms to Australian sunscreen regulation
The proposals include a number of changes to SPF testing requirements, oversight of the labs that do SPF testing, and the way SPF is labelled — reforms that would overhaul the sunscreen industry....
TGA not 'sitting on our hands', defends handling of sunscreen scandal
In his first interview since the sunscreen controversy erupted almost 10 months ago, the Therapeutic Goods Administration head says he hopes the proposed shake-up of regulations will restore consumer ...
Regulator’s crackdown on dud sunscreen claims
Australia’s medicines regulator has revealed new regulations for sunscreen after it was revealed some of the most iconic Aussie brands may not meet their labelled SPF claims...