New FDA Rules for Sunscreen

As Thomas H. Maugh II reported for The Los Angeles Times last week, the FDA has just released new rules for sunscreen labeling, including allowing products with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher to be labeled to say that they reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. Also: “Sunscreens will no longer be able to claim to have a specific SPF above 50: The highest category now will be 50+. ‘We don’t have sufficient data to show that those with an SPF higher than 50 provide greater protection,’ [Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research] said.”

And remember those “waterproof” and “sweatproof” claims? Now sunscreens can only be called “water-resistant.” Just as important to fly fishers and other outdoors sports enthusiasts: protection claims must be accompanied by a time-limit, either 40 or 80 minutes.