FDA proposes sunscreen regulations

Twenty-eight years after they first pledged to implement safety standards for sunscreens, the FDA has proposed regulations that would (among other things) require manufacturers to label sunscreens based on their ability to protect consumers from UVA rays. From the LA Times story:

Under the FDA proposal, sunscreen lotions would be tested for UVA protection, as they are now tested for UVB. They would then be assigned one to four stars, with four representing the highest level of protection. Some tanning products provide no UVA protection, and the FDA is proposing such lotions bear a label indicating that they offer no safeguard against UVA rays.

The proposal would also make changes to the SPF ratings for protection against sunburn. Lotions providing up to SPF 50 -- or 50 times the skin's natural protection against sunburn -- would be recognized.

In addition, the FDA is calling for a new warning on all sunscreen lotions saying that exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer, as well as other damage, including premature aging. The label will say that using sunscreen is only one way to protect against the sun, and others include wearing protective clothing, such as a hat or long-sleeved shirt, and staying out of the sun, particularly during the middle of the day.

You know, it's funny, I swear I read something about sunscreen safety earlier this summer. Do you think that may have had something to do with the FDA's decision? U.S. News and World Report seems to think so:

[The] label changes were partly spurred by a report from a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, the Environmental Working Group, in June. The EWG faulted the FDA for missing a deadline imposed by Congress to set sunscreen safety standards by last year.

In a statement released following the FDA's announcement, EWG's VP for Research Jane Houlihan had this to say:

“The proposed sunscreen safety regulations by FDA are a positive step forward, but we’ve been here before and seen FDA cave in to industry objections. [...] FDA first pledged to implement federal safety sunscreen regulations over 28 years ago and to date nothing has been finalized. We hope this time FDA moves much faster so the public can have confidence in the claims that they see on sunscreen product labels.”

Looking for a safe, effective sunscreen for those last, long beach days? Check the sunscreen database.