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Australia Probes Sunscreen Ratings as Brands Pull Products and Retesting Expands

Regulators are reviewing SPF testing standards following Choice’s findings that many SPF50+ products underperformed.

Overview

  • Choice reported in June that 16 of 20 popular SPF50/SPF50+ sunscreens failed to meet their labeled protection in accredited lab tests.
  • Ultra Violette withdrew its Lean Screen SPF50+ after eight retests returned highly variable results, including an SPF reading of 4.
  • Six products have been taken off shelves or had sales paused as companies conduct multi‑lab checks and reassess formulations.
  • The TGA says its investigation is ongoing and the ACCC confirms it is working with the regulator on potential consumer‑law issues.
  • An ABC investigation found a US lab certified many products that later underperformed in Choice tests and highlighted shared base formulas linked to a Western Australia manufacturer.