The case began in June with an investigation by a consumer association that revealed huge differences between the claimed SPFs and the actual SPFs in sunscreen products. The TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration), which oversees these products in Australia, took up the case and undertook a comprehensive review of SPF measurement methods…
A recap of the facts
June 2025: The Australian consumer organisation CHOICE has published a survey on sunscreen products, and the results are alarming. Of the 20 products tested, 16 did not actually achieve the advertised SPF of 50+:
• 1 was measured at 4,
• 7 at 20+,
• 8 at 30+.
From 12 June, the TGA states that, given the high incidence of skin cancer in the country, it will review CHOICE’s findings and take appropriate regulatory action.
On 21 August, the TGA confirmed that its investigation is ongoing and is focusing on a thorough analysis of the data provided by sunscreen manufacturers. “Given the complexity and scale of the material involved, this process will take time,” the Administration warned.
On 22 August, the Ultra Violette brand (whose product was measured at SPF 4 by CHOICE) has announced its withdrawal from the market, with the following explanation: “We had multiple, independent labs conduct new tests. Those tests demonstrated significant and, candidly, atypical variability. Across eight different tests, the product has now returned SPF data of 4, 10, 21, 26, 33, 60, 61, and 64.”
Between 25 and 27 August …
