The legislation reforms the current sunscreen approval process of the FDA by creating a timely and transparent process by which it will evaluate applications for new, safe and effective sunscreen ingredients, which are regulated as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
The enactment of the bill into law, led by Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Republican Lamar Alexander (R-TN) will help to provide Americans with access to the latest sunscreen ingredients, some of which have been widely available for 15 years in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
As a member of the Public Access to Sun Screens Coalition, BASF says it commends the Senate HELP committee and the Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) for their leadership and support on moving Sunscreen Innovation Act forward.
"BASF encourages the full Senate to consider the Act as soon as possible, and looks forward to continuing to focus on innovation and the development of new UV filters that will provide US consumers with a wider array of safe and effective sunscreen products," said Dirk Buengel, Senior Vice President Care Chemicals for BASF in North America.
The PASS Coalition is a multi-stakeholder coalition of health organizations, sunscreen ingredient companies, dermatologists and concerned citizens who worked collaboratively with the FDA, the White House, Congress, health providers, consumer organizations and sunscreen manufacturers to establish a framework for approval of the next generation of UV actives for Over-the-Counter (OTC) sunscreens.
Act will ensure a timely review of new sun protection ingredients
If enacted into law, the Sunscreen Innovation Act can lead to FDA approval of BASF UV filters for OTC sunscreen products in the U.S., which include the Tinosorb and Uvinul lines of filters which are currently being sold in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Tinosorb M provides UVA and UVB coverage and has high UV absorption like a soluble organic sunscreen active and the insolubility, low penetration and light scattering properties of an inorganic sunscreen active.
Tinosorb S is a broad spectrum UV absorber which BASF claims ensures products are cost effective and aesthetically superior due to its high efficiency.
Finally, the Uvinul T 150 UV filter is reported to provide strong absorbance in the UVB spectrum for protection from sunburn. "It is photostable and causes no degradation when used in combination with other UV filters," says the chemical company.