If adopted, the revised Sunscreen Standard would be applicable to all cosmetic sunscreen products regulated by the Australian regulatory body.
The proposed changes outlined in the revised Sunscreen Standard 2012 include raising the maximum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) from 30+ to 50+ for face and nail products, and making broad spectrum performance mandatory for all skin care cosmetic sunscreens.
A work in progress
Over the past six years, Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand have been revising the Sunscreen Standard, drawing on scientific developments, as well as products and standards present in other countries around the world.
The revised Sunscreen Standard was published in May this year; however, the NICNAS Cosmetics Standard 2007 still requires compliance with the old Sunscreen Standard from 14 years ago.
Therefore, NICNAS will assess any regulatory impacts on businesses, community, and government of a proposal to adopt the revised regulation in the Cosmetics Standard 2007, affecting all sunscreens it currently monitors.
Considered approach
To do this, it is consulting with a large number of stakeholders of the Sunscreen Standard Committee; composed of representatives from a large number of Australian and New Zealand government, industry, consumer and professional organisations.
While some parties have expressed a wish for NICNAS to recognise the revised Sunscreen Standard 2012, there may be small businesses that are dealing with cosmetic sunscreen products, which are not aware of the revision of the Sunscreen Standard, or which are not members of any industry association, which may be affected by such a revision.
NICNAS therefore wishes to obtain the views of all stakeholders before proposing to Government whether the Cosmetics Standard 2007 should be amended to adopt the revised Sunscreen Standard.