SUNSCREEN STANDARDS

Australia and New Zealand have a shared Sunscreen Standard – AS/NZS 2604:2021 – which specifies testing methods and labelling requirements, intended to ensure sunscreen’s efficacy to at least the SPF listed on packaging. However, compliance with the standard, while mandatory in Australia, is currently voluntary in New Zealand, meaning there is no requirement for NZ sunscreen manufacturers to regularly test their products, or even test them at all. A bill currently before parliament, if passed, will ensure this becomes mandatory. In Australia, all SPFs categorised as therapeutic i.e. sun protection as their primary intention, are regulated by the TGA and as such will display an Aust-L number on their packaging.