NICNAS consulted with industry and community stakeholders on a proposal to adopt the 2012 Sunscreen Standard for cosmetic sunscreen products over December 2012-February 2013 to assess any regulatory impacts on businesses, community, and government.
From here on out and until the 31 July 2018, manufacturers within these two categories of cosmetic sunscreen products must comply with the specified SPF and broad spectrum performance, labelling and testing requirements.
"Manufacturers and importers of cosmetic products will have five years within which to fully comply with these updated requirements. Such products manufactured or imported into Australia on or after 1 August 2018 must then comply only with the 2012 Sunscreen Standard," the authority stated.
Updated rules will hold a positive impact for the industry
The updated guidelines will allow SPF claims of up to 50+ (compared to 30+ in the 1998 Sunscreen Standard), will make broad spectrum performance mandatory for some sunscreen products, and replaces the previous broad spectrum performance test procedure with one that is significantly more rigorous and internationally harmonised.
It will also set out a number of changes to labelling requirements, which the Authority says will have an overall positive impact for the industry in the form of increased business efficiencies and consumer confidence.
"Consistent with cosmetic sunscreen products being secondary sunscreens as defined by the Standard, the primary function of these products is to provide a cosmetic benefit to consumers, with the sunscreen providing a secondary health benefit."
The passing of the updated Standard comes as good news to both Authorities, who have been working over a six year period to revise it, scientific developments, as well as products and standards present in other countries around the world.