What went wrong
Australian sunscreen brands face stricter regulation after a consumer testing scandal. A report by the advocacy group Choice found that 16 of the 20 popular sunscreens it tested did not provide the level of protection their labels claimed. Several products were pulled from shelves, and confidence in a product Australians use daily took a heavy knock.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and sunscreen is treated as a public health tool rather than a cosmetic. That makes an unreliable SPF number a safety problem, not a marketing one.
The proposed rules
The Therapeutic Goods Administration announced reforms that would require brands to test the finished product before listing it, rather than only the base formula. Suppliers would also need to retest periodically across the product's shelf life and provide SPF testing data to the regulator on a confidential basis before the product goes to market.
Under current rules, manufacturers are not obliged to hand over testing data unless the regulator asks for it. Cosmetic sunscreen brands would also face limits on the SPF claims they can make, so shoppers can tell the difference between products built for UV protection and cosmetics where sun protection is a secondary function.
"Australians expect the SPF on the label to be backed by robust evidence," the TGA's chief medical adviser Robyn Langham said. She said the reforms are about making SPF claims more reliable and giving the agency faster access to evidence when concerns arise.
The gap that remains
The TGA said the changes would be introduced in stages, with further consultation where needed. It also said it would not routinely check SPF testing data before a product reaches the shelves, which leaves the system relying on accurate self-reporting backed by the threat of later audit.
Consumer groups have welcomed the testing requirements but want spot checks. Dermatologists say the practical advice has not changed: use enough sunscreen, reapply every two hours, and treat any label as a claim to be checked rather than a guarantee. The consultation on the detail of the reforms is expected to run before the first stage takes effect.