{"id":6913,"date":"2017-08-04T08:00:07","date_gmt":"2017-08-04T14:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulprospector.com\/knowledge\/?p=6913"},"modified":"2022-06-15T06:14:11","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T12:14:11","slug":"pcc-eu-spf-regulations-historical-review-sunscreen-product-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/6913\/pcc-eu-spf-regulations-historical-review-sunscreen-product-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"EU SPF Regulations: A Historical Review of Sunscreen Product Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunscreen products are considered as cosmetic product under the EU directive 76\/768\/EEC and the newly updated regulation in EU regulation 1223\/2009.<\/p>\n

Sunscreens are defined as any cosmetic product, which is \u201cexclusively or mainly\u201d, intended to protect from UV radiations by absorbing, scattering or reflecting irradiation.<\/p>\n

\"What
Copyright: creativefamily \/ 123RF Stock Photo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Based on Article 6 (3) of directive 76\/768\/EEC, products placed on the market should have the characteristics which they claim. Hence, it is important to address appropriate methods relating to sunscreen products\u2019 efficacy.<\/p>\n

Sun radiation consists\u00a0of UVB radiation (290-320 nm) and UVA radiation (320-400 nm). UVB radiation contributes to the skin erythema, while UVA radiation can cause premature skin aging. However, excessive exposure to both UVB and UVA can impact skin health and the body\u2019s immune system. Hence, it is critical that sunscreen products should be sufficiently effective against UVB and UVA radiation.<\/p>\n

What is SPF?<\/h3>\n

The sun protection factor (SPF) is a score used to describe the strength of the product to protect against sunburn, mainly from UVB radiation exposure. SPF is defined as the ratio of minimum\u00a0erythemal\u00a0<\/strong>dose on sunscreen-protected skin to the minimum\u00a0erythemal dose on the same unprotected skin.<\/p>\n

Sun Protection Factor Tests<\/h3>\n

In order to ensure the reproducibility and comparability of the recommended minimum protection against UVB radiation, Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the U.S. recommended the\u00a0International Sun Protection Factor Test <\/em>in 2006.<\/p>\n

The recommendation for the minimum protection against UVA radiation was the persistent-pigment darkening method as applied by the Japanese industry and modified by the French health agency\u00a0Agence fran\u00e7aise de s\u00e9curit\u00e9 sanitaire des produits de sant\u00e9 (<\/em>Afssaps)\u00a0as well as the critical wavelength test.<\/p>\n

These testing methods have been submitted to the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) in order to establish European standards in this field and the process to address the repeatability and reproducibility of methods is still ongoing.<\/p>\n

In 2010, the Standard EN ISO 24444:2010 (Cosmetics – Sun protection test methods – In vivo determination of sun protection factor) replaced the previously recommended International Sun Protection Factor Test Method of 2006. Although the EN ISO test method is now considered as the reference method within the EU, the products tested with the International Test Method do not have to be re-tested.<\/p>\n

There is currently no in vitro method that can provide reliable and meaningful test results for SPF, therefore no in vitro method should be used for consumer information purposes.<\/p>\n

Within the EU, the Standard EN ISO 24443:2012 (Determinination of a sunscreen UVA photoprotection in vitro) is considered as a reference method for UVA protection.<\/p>\n

This standard was published by CEN in June 2012 and replaces the earlier reference method (COLIPA Guidelines – Method for in vitro Determination of UVA protection, 2011.) However, earlier test results obtained by using the above-cited COLIPA Test Method remain valid and can be considered as equivalent to the EN ISO test results.<\/p>\n

The Standard EN ISO 24442:2011 (Cosmetics – Sun protection test methods – In vivo determination of sunscreen UVA protection) replaced the persistent-pigment darkening method the Japanese industry published in 1995. In vivo determination of UVA protection can be also used to test products, as specified in the 2006 EU Recommendation.<\/p>\n

Due to ethical reasons, preference is given to the standardised in vitro test method for UVA protection measurement.<\/p>\n

In the next part of this series, I will review the regulation for sunscreen products\u2019 labelling and claims.<\/p>\n

Further reading:<\/h3>\n