TGA Reviews Australia’s Sunscreen Testing and Quality Rules
27 Oct 2026
The TGA is looking at ways to improve sunscreen rules and make sure products meet safety and quality standards.The review also aims to make sure the sun protection claims on labels are reliable.
Australia has a high rate of skin cancer, making sun protection an important public health issue. Using sunscreen as directed helps protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The proposed changes follow a consultation held between March and May 2026. During this period, the TGA received almost 120 submissions from manufacturers, testing laboratories, healthcare professionals, consumer organisations, researchers and other groups.
The proposed reforms cover four main areas:
More reliable SPF testing: Improving testing methods to support accurate Sun Protection Factor (SPF) claims.
Ingredient standards: Introducing quality requirements for selected ingredients used in sunscreens.
More understandable SPF claims: Changing labelling rules to explain sunscreen protection levels more clearly.
Simpler sunscreen labels: Making sun protection claims easier for people to read and understand.
The TGA will also review sunscreen labels and gather more feedback before suggesting any changes.
Experts from universities and industry are helping the TGA review factors that could affect sunscreen safety, quality and effectiveness.
Updates are available through the TGA’s sunscreen reform webpage, social media channels and email notifications.
TGA Reviews Australia’s Sunscreen Testing and Quality Rules
Source: Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia.