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What is necessary for a SPF / sunblock product?

In order to comply with European Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, your product has to undergo testing and adhere to artwork claims. Here we lay out the groundwork for what conditions your product has to meet.

2006/647/EC The official Commission Recommendation on the efficacy of sunscreen products and the claim made relating thereto can be found here. 

What is SPF?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and is a measure of UVB protection on a scale of 2-50+. The higher the SPF, the more protection it offers from the sun. It is common in many cosmetics products, such as moisturisers, foundations and serums. Sunscreen itself is also a cosmetics product.

What is the difference between SPF and UVA?

Sunlight emits 2 types of Ultra Violet (UV) rays - UVA and UVB. Both types of sun rays are dangerous.

UVA makes up 95% of all UV rays that reach the Earth’s surface. These rays penetrate into deeper layers of the skin and causes DNA damage, which leads to forms of skin aging including wrinkles.

UVB makes up roughly 5% of UV rays reaching the Earth’s surface. These rays only reaches the top layer of our skin, the epidermis. However, UVB also causes genetic damage to cells and induces either a tan, redness or sunburn depending on the length of exposure.

Repeated and prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer.

How does SkinConsult check for SPF and UVA in products?

Since the effects of UV rays can be permanently damaging, it is our job to ensure that if a product uses an SPF claim there is evidence to back it up. How can you test for SPF and UVA?

  • “SPF” testing is UVB testing. That can be done in accordance to ISO 24444:2019
  • UVA testing can be done in accordance to ISO, for example ISO 2443:2021 for in vitro or 24442:2011 for in vivo.
  • It is essential that UVA is at least 1/3 of UVB.
  • The wavelength of UV light is between 400-100nm, therefore the critical wavelength of testing UVA and UVB is >370 nm.
  • If a company has their own SPF and UVA testing method (e.g. BASF Grenzach Method No. 55) then this method must be explained in detail and backed up with evidence.

Please add evidence of SPF and UVA testing to the Asess Claims page of your product.

Artwork checklist for sunscreen products:

Here we have a short checklist for your artwork. For more extensive infomation (on claims) see next question!

[ ] Instructions of use in all necessary languages*

[ ] Warnings in all necessary languages*

[ ] Correct SPF, added als value

[ ] Labelled sun protection category

[ ] UVA symbol

* Make sure that the correct instructions of use and warnings are also added to your cosmetic product. If your product is a sunscreen you can find the appropriate instructions of use and warning here.

What SPF can I claim on my product? Can I claim both SPF and UVA?

Yes, both SPF and UVA claims can be made on your product given that the correct SPF must be indicated by the factor on a scale of 5-50+, and a short statement:

SPF Value Sun Protection Category
5-10 Low protection
15-25 Medium protection
30-50 High protection
50+ Very High protection

UVA must be circled on the packaging to fulfil EU standards.

UVA_Circle

Therefore, your artwork should at least contain the following:

SPF on Artwork


What if I want to claim my product is water resistant?

It is not essential to claim your SPF as water resistant. If you do, however, we must check the validity of this claim. How can you prove that your product with SPF is water resistant?

  • Water resistance in accordance to ISO 18861:2020 measures the percentage of water resistance.
  • ISO 16217:2020 is a water immersion procedure for determining water resistance of the SPF..

Similarly to SPF testing, if water resistance testing is performed not under these ISOs, then the method must be named and explained (e.g. Heliotest N°4 method).

Please add evidence of water resistance testing to the Asess Claims page of your product.

Where can I go to get my product's SPF rating tested?

There are many companies that offer SPF testing. Check out this page to find out a company that suits your needs.

For information on other claims, please see this page.

 

We hope to have informed you of SPF testing and claims, and why it is so important to ensure testing is performed properly. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at office@skinconsult.com.

Remember: safety first!