ASEAN Revises Sunscreen Labelling Guideline

During the 21st meeting of the ASEAN Cosmetics Committee and ASEAN Cosmetics Scientific Body, the ASEAN Sunscreen Labelling Guideline was heatedly discussed by the representatives from all the member states of ASEAN, the ASEAN Secretariat representatives and the ASEAN Cosmetic Association. After the meeting it was recommended that warnings should be indicated on the labels of sunscreen cosmetic products and decided that the following clauses will be added to the Guideline:

• Re-apply frequently to maintain protection, especially after sweating, swimming or toweling;
• The use of sunscreens is one way to reduce the dangers from sun exposure;
• Usage instructions to ensure that sufficient quantity is applied, e.g. pictogram, illustration, etc;
• Over-exposure to the sun is a serious health threat;

However in the absence of a consensus, the acceptability of some terms is not unified and will be country-specific. All representatives from ASEAN countries accepted the indication of “Sweat Resistant”. For “Waterproof” and “Sweatproof”, Malaysia and Thailand will prohibit cosmetic companies using over-labels cosmetics to convey this information. With respect to the labeling of the word “Sunblock”, it is prohibited in Malaysia.

The meeting further discussed the following proposals but did not reach an agreement, it is expected that these proposals will be adopted after the next meeting:

• Proposal to review the use of nonoxynols, Papaver rhoeas, Pueraria mirifica in cosmetic products
• Proposal to revise the ‘field of application and/or use’ and its corresponding ‘maximum authorized concentration in finished products’ for hydrogen peroxide (Annex III, Part 1, ref #12) in tooth-whitening products: differences in the regulation of the three concentration categories
• Proposal to add the warning “Not to be used under the age of 18”
• Proposal to put the percentage of Hydrogen peroxide on the label