Australian Sunscreens: Safe, Effective and Globally Recognised for Quality

Statement on Australian Sunscreens: Safe, Effective and Globally Recognised for Quality

Consumer Healthcare Products Australia (CHP Australia) assures Australians that they can step out into the sun with full confidence in the quality, safety and effectiveness of Australian sunscreens.

Industry works together with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Standards Australia to ensure that consumers are protected from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR), reducing the incidence of skin cancer through the development of some of the most stringent requirements in the world.

In Australia, primary sunscreens are regulated as medicines and must comply with the standards adopted into regulation by the TGA. For these products to go to market in Australia, they must be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), and may only:

• contain ingredients approved by TGA as safe
• be manufactured in sites which are TGA assessed as compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice(GMP). The TGA's GMP requirements ensure consistent product quality from batch to batch.
• be formulated and tested to confirm their compliance with the Australian/New Zealand SunscreenStandard, which outlines the testing and labelling requirements.

Mandatory post-market reporting of adverse events confirms ongoing compliance with safety and efficacy standards.

The Australian and New Zealand Sunscreen Standard references three International Standards test methods: one for SPF, one for ensuring compliance with Broad spectrum and one for establishing Water Resistance claims. These test methods are recognised as the gold standard by standards organisations in 60 countries.

CHP Australia reminds Australians that sunscreens should be used as directed on the label. Remember to follow the SunSmart behaviours; Slip, Slop, Slap Seek and Slide. In the harsh Australian sun don’t be tempted to rely on sunscreen alone.