New sunscreen labelling for a better protection from the sun

The information initiative responds to an EU Commission recommendation on sunscreen products adopted in September 2006 and provides consumers with new clearer labelling that will be visible on the market in summer 2007.

Furthermore, the EU Commission is seeking to start an information campaign, in partnership with Members States, to raise awareness of the different measures, apart from sunscreen, that are necessary to protect oneself from UV radiation from the sun.

The new labelling

The new pictograms are free and can be downloaded in the Public Health Portal of the EU. Authorities and stakeholders encourage their use to any EU Member States organisation. The improved labelling will appear on 20% of sunscreens bottles in summer 2007 and aims to remind consumers that there are several reasons why sunscreen products should be one out of a number of measures to protect from UV radiation from the sun. The figures and recommendations are the following:

-A standardised logo for UVA protection

This logo aims to give consumers the opportunity to choose sunscreen products offering not only protection against UVB but also against UVA radiation as both are harmful to human health. The logo ensures a minimum UVA protection in the sunscreen.

 A pictogram recommending avoiding excessive sun exposure at peak hours

The sun’s UV rays are strongest during the hours around midday, usually between 11 am and 3pm. During the summer months, one of the best ways to protect skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays is to find shade under trees, umbrellas, canopies or indoors.

 A pictogram recommending to keeping well covered, including a hat, T-shirt and sun glasses

When there’s no shade available, the best way to protect skin from the sun is with loose clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and good quality sunglasses. Hats are appropriated for protecting the face, eyes and head which helps avoid developing skin cancer of the eyelid that long term exposures of the eyes to the sun can entail.

 A pictogram recommending avoiding direct sun exposure for babies and young children

Avoiding UV radiation is most essential for children. The more a baby or child is overexposed to UV radiation, the higher the risk of skin-cancer is later in life. Therefore, babies and children should not be exposed to direct sunlight at all.

 A pictogram recommending the sufficient and regular use of sunscreen products

Sunscreen products only have their full effect if used in sufficient quantities. Currently, consumers usually use only half of this quantity, which reduces protection by even more than half. Also, it is crucial to re-apply sunscreen products frequently, especially after swimming, bathing or towelling in order to maintain the original protection.

 Rejection of claims such as “sunblock” or “100% protection” as no sunscreen product can provide a full protection against UV radiation

 Recommendation of using standardised verbal descriptors (“low”,“medium”,“high” and “very high” protection) alongside traditional SPF (sun protection factor indicators) to provides guidance for the choice of the appropriate sunscreen product

The awareness campaign

The campaign will be run by the Commission and national partners to the voluntary agreement in different member states over the next year -using websites, the press, posters, partnerships with tour operators and advertising.

For further information:

 Better protection from sun after European Commission action (9July 2007)

 Sunscreen products: What matters? (9July 2007)

 Sunscreens: Commission moves to improve labelling (4 May 2006)

 Commission Consumer Website

 DG Health and Consumer Protection