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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

Australia's TGA faces scrutiny over slow sunscreen safety probe

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Australia's medicines regulator is investigating 15 of 16 sunscreens that failed to meet their SPF label claims, nearly a year after initial findings.
  • The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has not recalled the sunscreens, allowing them to remain on sale while investigations continue.
  • This delay is causing confusion for consumers trying to choose safe sunscreens in a country with high skin cancer rates.

Consumers in Australia are facing confusion over sunscreen safety, with many products that failed to meet their labeled SPF claims still under investigation by health authorities. Nearly a year after a Choice analysis revealed the issue, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) confirmed it is still investigating 15 of the 16 sunscreens found to be deficient.

I appreciate your point, Senator, that they have taken a long time.

— Avinash ClarkeA senior TGA official responding to questions about the delayed investigations into sunscreens.

During a Senate estimates hearing, a senior TGA official acknowledged the lengthy process, stating efforts were prioritized for the most unsafe products. However, the sunscreens remain on the market, meaning consumers can still purchase them. This situation leaves Australians uncertain about which products to trust, a significant concern in a nation with one of the world's highest skin cancer rates.

I certainly find it confusing, I am really not that sure what to buy next time I go to buy sunscreen and that is not the situation we want Australians to be in, in one of the countries that has some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world.

— David PocockIndependent Senator David Pocock expressing concern about consumer confusion due to the delayed investigations.

One sunscreen, Ultra Violette's Lean Screen SPF 50+, was recalled after testing showed it had an SPF of only 4. While other sunscreens with the same base formula were also recalled, the TGA has yet to conclude its investigation into 15 other products that did not meet their label claims. Some of these SPF 50 and SPF 50+ sunscreens tested as low as in the 20s.

We're concerned about the impact on consumer confidence in sunscreen that a year-long investigation has had.

— Damian MitschChief executive of sunscreen industry group ACCORD, commenting on the impact of the investigation on consumer trust.

The prolonged investigation has raised concerns within the sunscreen industry about consumer confidence. While the TGA defends its "risk-based approach," prioritizing higher-risk products, the extended timeline has left consumers in the dark, highlighting a critical need for timely and clear communication regarding product safety.

It's the intersection for us between our safety and quality and effectiveness, but also … the importance of Australians having ready and reasonable access to sunscree

— Tony LawlerTGA chief explaining the regulator's 'risk-based approach' to the investigation timeline.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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