SUN1	Support Group for Sun Sensitive People   We are a support group for people with sun and light sensitivities.   We share our day-to-day experiences and ways to live and cope with sun sensitivity.  Click to join!     Website: http://sun1.awardspace.com/

National Standards for Sunscreen Protection

Each country has its own sunscreen standard for protection.  It can be very difficult or confusing to understand what each sunscreen standard means because there are no international standards for rating protection.   Regulations vary widely.  The USA regulates sunscreens as a drug with FDA standards and other countries regulate sunscreens as cosmetics.  Categories and definitions for rating systems are not universal.  There is no standardized method for determining UVA protection.  Protection rating systems do not offer a common ground for comparisons.   Concentration of active ingredients and combinations of ingredients are regulated by national standards.  Labels and exact wording for manufacturer claims are specified by regulations. 

Advocates have complained (and continue to complain) that standards are not strong enough.   New standards are proposed and eventually standards are adopted.   Check for regulation updates for current standards. 

Australia and New Zealand

Australia first published a standard for sunscreen products in 1983.    At this writing (in summer 2011), new standards are in draft form. 

The current joint Australian and New Zealand standard is AS/NZS 2604:1998 'Sunscreen Products Evaluation and Classification'.

ARPANSA product standards

Australia Cancer Council about sunscreen, sunglasses, & clothing

Canada

Regulations for ingredients and purpose(s) for “Sunburn Protectants”  (Health Canada 2006)

Japan

Japan uses SPF rating to measure UVB.    Japan uses the “PA” classification system used throughout Asia to measure Protection Grade of UVA. 

                                PA+       some UVA protection

                                PA++     moderate UVA protection

    PA+++   good UVA protection

A Guide to Sunscreen in Japan provides Japanese words for choosing a sunscreen and the ingredient lists. 

Europe

The European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (Colipa) instituted a voluntary guide for standards of developing and promoting industry standards on testing, labelling and consumer education.   The Colipa standards indicate that the level of UVA protection provided by a product is at least 1/3 ratio of its SPF. (Colipa)

UK

In the UK, the “Boots star rating system” is commonly used. This system provides a ratio of UVA to UVB protection, and can only be interpreted in relation to the SPF of the product. At a given SPF, more stars means more UVA protection, but a five-star product with a lower SPF could provide less UVA protection than a three-star product with a higher SPF. (NHS Knowledge Service) 

USA

On June 14, 2011 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new requirements for sunscreens.    Some of the new rules will not take effect until 2012.   The FDA changes make allowance for “Broad Spectrum” sunscreen products that provide UVB and UVA protection.   (FDA)