TGA Seeks Public Feedback on Sunscreen Regulation
26 Mar 2026
Interested parties can submit their feedback by 23 May 2026.
Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer and melanoma in the world, with around 2,000 deaths each year, making it important that sunscreens are safe and effective.
The consultation paper suggests changes to make sunscreen regulation stronger, including:
- Making SPF testing more reliable and transparent.
- Allowing new testing technologies to be used more quickly.
- Increasing oversight of testing laboratories.
- Improving quality checks throughout the product’s lifecycle, including periodic testing and ingredient standards.
- Simplifying and clarifying SPF labelling.
- Aligning claims for therapeutic and cosmetic sunscreens.
- Updating Good Manufacturing Practice guidance to improve manufacturing quality.
These changes aim to give Australians more confidence in sunscreen performance. Any accepted changes would be introduced gradually with appropriate transition periods.
The TGA will hold a webinar on 14 April 2026 at 1 pm to explain the key proposals. Attendees can ask questions to the TGA’s expert panel before submitting their feedback.
Consumers can also visit the TGA’s sunscreens hub to:
- Get tips on choosing and applying sunscreen correctly.
- Learn about SPF testing, check recalls, and know what to do if a sunscreen is recalled.
- Understand ongoing reviews of sunscreen ingredients and why it’s important to keep using sunscreen.
https://www.tga.gov.au/
Source: Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)