Under the sunscreen rules announced by the FDA on June 14:
- Sunscreens must pass broad-spectrum UVA testing and have at least an SPF 15 to include the claim that they protect against skin cancer and premature aging on their label. The broad-spectrum test is a pass/fail test based on the critical wavelength value of 370 nm.
- Sunscreens can claim to be water resistant for either 40 minutes or 80 minutes; "waterproof," "all-day protection," and "sweat proof" claims will no longer be allowed, nor will use of the term "sunblock."
- Sunscreens that do not pass the critical wavelength test and do not have at least an SPF 15 will have a warning in the drug labeling starting that the product will only protect against sunburn and not skin cancer or premature aging.
