FDA Moves to Improve Safety of Sunscreens
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took action to improve the quality, safety, and efficacy of sunscreens on the market in the U.S. The changes included revisions and updates pertaining to requirements for SPF values, active ingredients, product labeling, and more.
“Sun safety is important for everyone, regardless of your skin tone. Americans can reduce risks from sun exposure with continued use of sun protection measures including broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF values of at least 15,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “Today’s activities represent a key milestone in our implementation of transformative new authorities related to OTC drugs that will allow us to continue ensuring that sunscreens are safe and effective for frequent, life-long use and provide consumers with the protection they expect from these products. We are committed to using our new authorities to help meaningfully advance innovative, safe and effective options for consumers and secure a robust OTC marketplace.”
Janet Woodcock, MD, Acting FDA Comissioner
The FDA’s updates and revisions were made as part of the implementation of “new authorities for certain over-the-counter (OTC) drugs… The 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act reformed and modernized the way sunscreens marketed without approved applications are regulated in the U.S… [and] sets the current requirements for marketing these OTC sunscreen products.”