The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible of cosmetics in the USA, has issued new requirements about efficacy and labelling of sunscreens. With the declared aim of ensuring better consumer protection against harmful UV rays, several measures have been defined, which are interesting to compare with our European regulations. Explanations and decoding.
Cosmetics providing sun protection are the focus of attention of health authorities and consumer associations worldwide. Whether one is concerned about their safety in use (notably because of the presence or absence of nanoparticles) or their real effectiveness against UV radiation, these products have a very special status since they are supposed to protect against sunburn, but also against the development of melanomas (serious skin cancers) caused by excessive exposure. They are thus a real public health issue.
The European regulation is currently one of the most demanding in the field of sunscreen products, especially since the European Commission Recommendation published in September 2006.
With its new requirements, the FDA intends to catch up, and also, quite pertinently, goes further on certain points… which could perhaps inspire our health authorities.
In its public communication, the FDA says it wants to “shed light on sunscreens”. In essence, the administration explains that the aim is to help consumers protect themselves from the damage caused by excessive exposure. Firstly, by informing them that not all sunscreen products are the same, and by guiding them to recognise products offering better protection.
As scientific knowledge on the subject has increased, the press release states, a …
