A new ISO technical report which compiles the most commonly used methods for assessing the protection levels of suncreens will make it easier to evaluate the numerous tests on the market.  ISO/TR 26369:2009, Cosmetics – Sun protection test methods – Review and evaluation of methods to assess the photo protection of sun protection products, will contribute to both regulatory and private sector objectives, benefitting public authorities, industry and consumer associations .
The new ISO report reviews and evaluates the methods used to measure the level of protection of sun protection products, including tables of their key parameters and elements. It applies to the sun protection factor (SPF) of a sunscreen and the ultraviolet A (UVA) protection. Both in vivo and in vitro methods are included.
"Assessing the efficacy of sunscreen products is recognized as an important public health issue," says Prof. Philippe Masson, Convener of the working group that developed the report. "Until now the plethora of methods used to determine the level of protection provided by sun protection products has made comparisons both difficult and time-consuming. Thanks to ISO/TR 26369:2009, users are now able to compare methods quickly and easily, from just one document."
ISO/TR 26369:2009 will serve as a technical/scientific framework in order to help identify the most suitable methods for standardization. It will be part of a series of standards which will address sun protection test methods.
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