FDA Responds to EWG Sunscreen List

Posted: June 29, 2007

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The FDA is one of the world leaders in standardizing UVA testing and labeling among sunscreen manufacturers. These benchmarks have helped to pave the way for the forthcoming regulations on UVA sunscreen products due out this year.

-Statement from the FDA

This follows a previous feature on CosmeticsandToiletries.com, reporting that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently surveyed the safety and efficacy of 785 sunscreen products in a database built to reportedly, "help fill the information gap caused by the [US Food and Drug Administration's] (FDA’s) failure to set meaningful sunscreen standards."

The survey of more than 700 brand-name sunscreens names products that the EWG says offer the best combination of safety and effectiveness, i.e.: they are formulated with the safest chemicals, are most effective at protecting against sunburn, and help to prevent long-term damage caused by the sun’s UVA rays, according to the EWG.

The analysis revealed that 84% of 785 sunscreen products with an SPF rating of 15 or higher offer inadequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays or contain ingredients with reported safety concerns. Some common sunscreen chemicals break down when exposed to sunlight and must be formulated with stabilizing chemicals while others penetrate the skin and present significant health concerns.