Senators Dodd and Reed Seek to Improve Sunscreen Safety Standards

May 22, 2009 -- In an effort to help Americans better protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays, U.S. Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Jack Reed (D-RI) are teaming up with dermatologists and consumer rights advocates to introduce legislation requiring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen labeling and testing standards for sunscreen products.

The FDA has not updated its sunscreen labeling standards to include UVA protection, despite working on it for over 30 years. The current standards only require testing and labeling for UVB rays, known for causing sunburns and increasing the chance of skin cancer. However, they do not require standards for UVA rays, which are a major cause of skin cancer and premature aging.

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The Dodd-Reed Sunscreen Labeling Protection (or SUN) Act would give the FDA 180 days to finalize its proposed rule after which point the proposed rule would take effect, giving Americans the protection they deserve.

“As we get ready for summer cookouts and trips to the Sound, we cannot forget that Americans continue to be left unprotected from the sun’s deadliest rays,” said Dodd. “The FDA’s failure to implement enforceable sunscreen standards for UVA and UVB protection, leaves millions of parents and children with a false sense of security. The FDA must act now and make good on its promise to strengthen regulations so that Americans will be protected as they enjoy their summer.”

“Most Americans probably assume that their sunscreen protects them from the harmful rays that cause skin cancer. But unfortunately, with many products, that isn’t the case. While the FDA delays, the American people are literally getting burned,” said Reed. “The FDA needs stronger labeling regulations so parents know the products they are buying will protect them and their kids from both UVA and UVB rays.”

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually. Fortunately, skin cancer also is one of the most preventable forms of cancer and frequently using sunscreen can help reduce risk. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and UVA-fighting ingredients like an avobenzone that doesn’t degrade in light or Mexoryl SX.

Dodd and Reed have led the fight for improved sunscreen labeling for over ten years. Dodd and Reed championed language in a past appropriations bill requiring the FDA to issue final standards for sunscreen labeling on UVA and UVB. They sent letters in May 2007 and February 2008 to the Commissioner of the FDA expressing their concern about the agency’s standards for sunscreen labeling and urging the FDA to act quickly to finalize new labeling. The FDA eventually complied with the senators’ request and proposed a new sunscreen labeling rule, but has failed to finalize and implement the proposed improvements for almost two years.

Source: Senator Chris Dodd