Please find below a press release from Standards Australia that delivers an important message to all media and sunscreen brands:
The revised Australian/New Zealand Standard – AS/NZS 2604:2012 Sunscreen products – Evaluation and classification – states:
• The term ‘waterproof’ is misleading and not permitted. The standard acknowledges that sunscreens will wash off when immersed in water.
• The term ‘sunblock’ is misleading and not permitted because it may be interpreted to mean that 100 per cent of the sunburning radiation is blocked.
• The term ‘sweat proof’ is misleading and not permitted. ‘Sweat resistance’ is not a substitute for ‘water resistance’.
These combined measures will result in a much better product on the shelves, which reflect Australian consumer needs,” Colin Blair, Chief Executive Officer, Standards Australia said.
Craig Sinclair from the Cancer Prevention Centre at Cancer Council Victoria – who is also chair of the relevant standards committee – welcomed the announcement as an important step forward for public health.
There is now overwhelming global consensus that SPF 50-plus provides a greater level of protection, providing consumers continue to apply the same amount of sunscreen. This change is consistent with international standards,” Mr Sinclair said.
Given the Australian lifestyle, the standard sets very high requirements around water resistance, which are much higher than in equivalent standards in the United States and Europe,” Mr Sinclair said.
Mr Sinclair said the committee charged with developing the standard included stakeholders from dermatology, medicine, industry, retailers, cosmetics, cancer councils and consumer groups, academia and government.”
Media – Be mindful of using the words waterproof, sunblock and sweat proof in editorial as the Therapeutics Goods Administration is cracking down on this.
Brands – Please make sure that your sunscreen product descriptions do not contain the words waterproof, sunblock and sweat proof. Don’t forget to check your listing on beautydirectory and email Liz with new descriptions to update products affected by the changes.
For further information on the latest happenings in the sunscreen industry, including the arrival of 50+, please click Summer dreamin’ – the sun care market and launch of 50+.