NADIM
A. SHAATH, Ph.D.

Alpha
Research & Development Ltd., White Plains, New York, USA

Regulations in the United States of America have remained stagnant since the Advanced Notice for Public Records (ANPR) was issued in 1978.  The Table below lists the 21 filters that are considered Category I Ultraviolet Filters and can be used without restrictions at the percentages approved.  Their use allows manufacturers of cosmetic formulations to claim SPF (Sun Protection Factors) on the label of their products.

The FDA allows manufacturers of sunscreen products using those specified percentages to claim that “sunscreens reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging when used as directed.”  Later on, they added two additional requirements, namely, that the product should have a minimum SPF of 15 or more and its Critical wavelength to be over 370 nm.