Australian TGA proposes sunscreen regulation reforms amid SPF testing controversies
Consensus Summary
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has proposed major reforms to sunscreen regulations following widespread concerns about inaccurate SPF claims. Consumer group CHOICE’s 2023 testing revealed 16 out of 20 popular SPF50+ products failed to meet advertised protection levels, with some like Ultra Violette’s ‘Lean Screen 50+’ testing as low as SPF4. The TGA’s draft proposals aim to improve SPF testing reliability, strengthen lab oversight, and enhance transparency by mandating public disclosure of testing data. Both sources agree on the severity of the issue, given Australia’s high skin cancer mortality rates, but differ on specifics like the TGA’s proposed SPF labelling changes and Ultra Violette’s public response to testing failures. While ABC highlights industry opposition to replacing SPF numbers with categorical labels, NEWSCOMAU underscores the TGA’s intent to address lab inconsistencies and manufacturer compliance gaps. The reforms, if implemented, could reshape consumer trust in sunscreen efficacy and industry practices.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has proposed sweeping reforms to Australian sunscreen regulations, including changes to SPF testing requirements, lab oversight, and SPF labelling.
- Consumer group CHOICE tested 20 popular SPF50 and SPF50+ sunscreens in 2023 and found 16 failed to meet their advertised SPF claims.
- Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer and melanoma globally, with around 2,000 people dying annually from these conditions.
- The TGA’s proposed reforms include requiring public disclosure of SPF testing data to improve transparency and regulatory scrutiny.
- Ultra Violette’s Australian Sunscreen ‘Lean Screen 50+’ tested at SPF4 instead of its claimed SPF50+ in CHOICE’s 2023 report.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The TGA flagged replacing SPF numbers with ‘low’, ‘medium’, ‘high’, and ‘very high’ ratings as part of proposed reforms, citing misconceptions about the SPF scale.
- CHOICE Director Andy Kelly stated the group opposes the TGA’s suggestion to reform SPF ratings with words or graphics, calling it unnecessary.
- The TGA acknowledged legislative amendments and industry investment would be required to implement the new SPF labelling system, creating divergence with international standards.
- The TGA warned publicly available SPF testing data could expose trade secrets and allow competitors to reverse-engineer formulations.
- Seven specific sunscreens were listed among those tested by CHOICE that underperformed their SPF50+ claims, including Banana Boat Baby Zinc and Coles SPF50+ Sunscreen Ultra Tube.
- The TGA revealed in a report that SPF testing data from certain laboratories appeared unreliable and some manufacturers lacked understanding of their legal obligations.
- Ultra Violette posted an Instagram story claiming its sunscreen testing costs up to $150,000, stating ‘no cutting corners’ and emphasizing ‘the best protection’ for consumers.
- The TGA stated it would investigate CHOICE’s findings and take ‘regulatory action as required’ in response to the testing failures.
- The TGA highlighted that current exemption rules for cosmetic sunscreens are described as complex and proposed adopting new testing technologies faster.
- Four tested products returned SPF results in the 40s, four in the 30s, and seven in the 20s, with Banana Boat Baby Zinc testing at SPF28 and Coles SPF50+ at SPF43.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC notes the TGA’s proposed SPF labelling reform would require legislative amendments and industry investment, while NEWSCOMAU does not mention this detail.
- NEWSCOMAU reports Ultra Violette’s Instagram post explicitly stating testing costs $150,000, but ABC does not reference this specific claim or social media evidence.
- ABC states the TGA would require accreditation for testing laboratories as part of reforms, but NEWSCOMAU does not explicitly mention this requirement.
- NEWSCOMAU emphasizes the TGA’s plan to strengthen oversight of testing laboratories through ‘regular testing and ingredients standards,’ while ABC focuses on ‘oversight of labs’ without this phrasing.
- ABC cites the TGA’s concern about ‘misconceptions’ around SPF ratings as justification for the proposed ‘low’ to ‘very high’ scale, but NEWSCOMAU does not reference this rationale.
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....
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...