The United States House of Representatives has introduced a key bill that could transform the future of sun care in the country. This is the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act, a bipartisan proposal that directly aims to modernize the outdated FDA approval system for active ingredients for sunscreens, which has not authorized a new sunscreen since 1999.
The initiative comes at a time when innovation in photoprotection is advancing globally, while the United States lags behind with only 16 approved sunscreens, compared to the 48 that are available in the European Union. The regulatory delay has limited the access of consumers and brands to more advanced and safer sun protection technologies, which generates concern in the scientific and medical community, especially given the sustained increase in cases of skin cancer.
The bill proposes a profound reform to the FDA review process. Among the most important changes is the incorporation of real-world evidence, such as observational studies and historical safety data, to complement traditional clinical trials. In addition, the law promotes the use of alternative methods to animal experimentation, aligning with global trends in ethical evaluation in cosmetics and personal care.
It also requires the FDA to issue final decisions on sunscreen ingredients pending review for years, many of them backed by decades of safe use in other markets. To ensure transparency, the bill establishes that the Department of Health and Human Services annually informs Congress on the progress of these reforms and publishes the reports on the official FDA website.
The proposal has strong bipartisan support led by Representatives Debbie Dingell, John Joyce, Deborah Ross and Dave Joyce, all members of the Skin Cancer Caucus. The legislators agree that access to better sunscreens is not only a matter of public health, but also of technological equity. "The U.S. lacks many of the sun protection options that are already available in other countries," said Congresswoman Dingell. Her colleague, Dr. Joyce, added that "scientific advances in photoprotection cannot continue to be stalled by outdated regulatory processes."
With this law, the U.S. could finally open the doors to a new generation of more effective, sustainable and ethical sunscreens, aligning with the values of a modern cosmetics industry committed to the real well-being of consumers. This legislative advance represents a historic opportunity for innovation in sun care, and of course, a call to action for all actors in the beauty industry who are committed to science, transparency and health protection.