Recently, Australia and New Zealand announced that it will enforce updated sunscreen standards for products registered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) starting in July. These changes mandate that all new sunscreen products comply with the revised Australian/New Zealand Sunscreen Standard, published by Standards Australia in 2021. This update aims to align local sunscreen testing methodologies with international practices, thereby enhancing the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens available in both countries.
Additionally, New Zealand has announced a ban on the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in cosmetic products starting in 2026, aiming to protect public health and the environment.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has outlined specific compliance transition timelines to assist manufacturers in adapting to the new requirements. From July onwards, any new sunscreen products included in the ARTG must meet the 2021 Sunscreen Standard. For aerosol and spray pump sunscreens already in the ARTG before July, there is a one-year transition period to comply with the new labeling requirements specified in the 2021 standard. Other existing sunscreen products, both aerosol and non-aerosol, have a five-year transition period, during which they can adhere to either the 2021 standard or the previous 2012 standard.
By the end of these transition periods, all sunscreen products registered in the ARTG, both new and existing, must fully comply with the 2021 Sunscreen Standard. This will involve reviewing and potentially reformulating products, updating labeling, and conducting new testing as required. The 2021 standard, adopted after thorough consultation with stakeholders, aims to improve the validity of sunscreen products’ protective claims by adhering to international testing protocols, thereby ensuring higher safety and efficacy for consumers in Australia and New Zealand.
