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The European Union is trying to persuade U.S. authorities to join in creation of a new standardized system for labeling sun-care products designed to keep sunbathers from being led to believe they have more protection than is in fact the case.
The European Commission said the current system of “sun protection factor” numbers is widely misunderstood and misleading.
The problem, according to the European Commission, arises from the fact that the existing labelling system is aimed at preventing sunburn. The SPF numbers refer only to protection against UVB radiation, which causes sunburn, but not UVA radiation, which causes skin cancer.
As a result, many people have less protection than they think, and stay longer in the sun increasing their risk of developing skin cancer.
The European Commission also wants to ban all misleading advertising claims, such as promises of “total protection.”
“Despite frequent claims, no sunscreen products can provide a full protection against UV radiation,” the European Commission said.
The Europeans want to introduce a simple four-tier warning system stating whether the product offers low, medium, high or very high protection. Initially, the new system would be used alongside the SPF numbers.
Source: Medical Week staff, week of May 10, 2006 |
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