First in vitro SPF method accepted onto ISO standardisation process

26-Feb-2019 - Last updated on 26-Feb-2019 at 08:46 GMT

The Cosmetics Europe trade association has announced that its new SPF method is now under review by the ISO, with the view to it potentially becoming a new international reference method.

The in vitro method was developed by Cosmetics Europe to measure the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of cosmetics products, and was accepted by the ISO Technical Committee on cosmetics at the end of the last year, and is now undergoing assessment.

“We are very pleased that ISO accepted to work on our new method,” a spokesperson from Cosmetics Europe told Cosmetics Design.

The trade association says the new testing method comes in response to global demand for a simple yet reliable alternative to the human test, which still assures the highest level of consumer protection.

What is the new method?

The Cosmetics Europe in vitro protocol has proved to fulfil ISO validation criteria for emulsion type products and satisfactorily predict SPF values, the trade association explains.

This means that, when adopted, it would become an equivalent in vitro alternative option for emulsion type products to the existing in vivo standard ISO24444, which is currently the only internationally-recognised method for SPF measurement.

Other methods are also currently being developed and are also making progress in ISO.

Collaborative effort

John Chave, Director General of Cosmetics Europe, confirmed the news, explaining that the new SPF testing method is the result of collaboration across the membership of the trade association.

“For more than 10 years, Cosmetics Europe has been working with the full support of its membership on a new method that would allow for accurate measurement of the SPF values of sunscreens, while not requiring the exposure of human volunteers to UV radiation,” he explained.

“We are very pleased that ISO has recently accepted to work on our new method, which is now on the right track to become a new international standard.”

Chave noted that sun protection remains a major focus for the beauty and personal care industry.

“Appropriate sun protection strategies, including the use of sunscreens, are extremely important in keeping us safe from the harmful effects of exposure to sun,” he confirmed.