Colipa Backs Commission Opinion: Limit SPF Claims
Posted: September 26, 2006
The European Commission published a recommendation on the efficacy and claims of sun products on Sept. 22, 2006, which the European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (Colipa) says it supports.
The commission’s statement details:
“Based on several studies, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization has emphasized the importance of the link between the correct application of sunscreen products and the efficacy of the sun protection factor claimed. In particular, frequent re-application of sunscreen products is crucial.
“Moreover, in order to reach the protection level indicated by the sun protection factor, sunscreen products have to be applied in quantities similar to the ones used for testing, i.e. 2 mg/cm2, which equals six teaspoons of lotion (approximately 36 g) for the body of one average adult person. This quantity is higher than that usually applied by the consumers. Applying a smaller quantity of sunscreen product leads to a disproportionate reduction in protection. For example, if the quantity applied is reduced by half, protection may fall by as much as two-thirds…
“In order to ensure reproducibility and comparability of the recommended minimum protection against UVB radiation, the International Sun Protection Factor Test Method (2006) as updated in 2006 by the European, Japanese, American and South African industry should be used. In order to assess the minimum protection against UVA radiation, the persistent-pigment darkening method as applied by the Japanese industry and modified by the French health agency Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé—Afssaps as well as the critical wavelength test should be used. These testing methods have been submitted to the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in order to establish European standards in this field…