Australia’s sunscreen regulator is overhauling industry rules after a consumer group found dozens of products-including premium brands-failed to meet labeled SPF claims.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will require accredited labs, tighter efficacy testing, and clearer labeling. One proposal would replace numeric SPF ratings with “low” to “very high” categories-a move criticized by Choice, the advocacy group behind the investigation.
Australia has the world’s highest skin cancer rates, with 2,000 annual deaths from melanoma. Sunscreens are classified as medicines but aren’t pre-approved before sale.
The scandal centered on Ultra Violette’s “SPF 50+” product, which tested at SPF 4, triggering a recall. Nearly two dozen other sunscreens using the same base formula also raised TGA concerns.
Cosmetic chemists warn some SPF testing has become more marketing than science-but even underperforming products may still significantly reduce skin cancer risk.