EU backs lab-based sunscreen tests as safer alternative to human trials

European Commission-funded testing found strong agreement between lab and human sunscreen SPF methods, supporting a shift toward non-animal, non-injury screening. The findings could speed product checks, reduce risk to volunteers and help regulators police sunscreen claims across the EU and EFTA.

Why it matters: - The EU testing effort points to a safer and more ethical way to verify sunscreen SPF and UVA claims without inducing sunburn in human volunteers. - Stronger, faster lab testing could help regulators confirm product performance while supporting innovation and consumer safety. - The findings matter for manufacturers, market surveillance authorities and shoppers who rely on label claims for sun protection.

What happened: - The European Commission funded a campaign that compared in-vitro and in-vivo testing for 74 sunscreen products, including sunscreens and day creams. - Market surveillance authorities from 11 EU countries selected the products in stores and online. - The campaign took place under Joint Actions on Compliance of Products 2025, known as JACOP 2025, in the EU and EFTA countries. - The work evaluated 11 product types overall.

The details: - The results showed a high correlation between in-vitro and in-vivo tests, supporting the reliability of lab-based checks for SPF claims. - The in-vitro method used, EN ISO 23675:2024, was published in December 2024. - The method avoids exposing human subjects to ultraviolet radiation. - The lab test is faster and less expensive than testing on people. - A hybrid method, HDRS, was published at the same time and uses human subjects without causing harm, but this campaign compared only in-vitro and traditional in-vivo methods. - In-vitro testing applies product to two acrylic plates, one molded and one sandblasted, to mimic skin texture. - The product amount, application method, temperature and drying time are tightly controlled. - In-vitro testing is not limited by volunteer availability or by skin conditions such as texture, moisture and sensitivity. - The lab method is less affected by anti-inflammatory or soothing ingredients that can mute the redness response used in human SPF testing. - In human SPF tests, skin is exposed to low doses of UV radiation to trigger erythema, or redness. - Anti-inflammatory or soothing ingredients can weaken or delay that response and produce an artificially higher SPF reading. - A spectrophotometer measures how much UV passes through the sunscreen film on the acrylic plates. - An algorithm combines measurements from both plate types to calculate SPF. - The full market-surveillance background is available in the EU’s market surveillance information page. - Questions about JACOP 2025 were directed to jacop2025@esn.eu.

Between the lines: - The campaign is a signal that regulators want methods that are both scientifically robust and ethically easier to defend. - The biggest practical limitation is scope: sunscreen sticks and powders still cannot be tested with the in-vitro method. - Norm-setting bodies are being urged to expand non-invasive testing to those product types and to water-resistance claims. - The comments from the European Commission frame market surveillance as a tool to curb unfair competition and keep products safe for consumers. - The statement that final responsibility for label claims sits with the responsible person underscores that testing alone does not replace manufacturer accountability.

What's next: - Manufacturers are being encouraged to prioritize non-harmful testing methods for SPF and UVA verification. - Standards organizations are expected to work on extending non-invasive methods to sunscreen sticks, powders and water-resistance claims. - Regulators and market-surveillance authorities are likely to keep using harmonized EU-wide checks to compare product claims and trigger corrective action when needed. - Consumers are being advised to keep using sunscreen as only one part of sun protection, along with shade, protective clothing and avoiding midday sun.

The bottom line: - The EU testing campaign makes the case that sunscreen claims can be checked more ethically without sacrificing reliability, but not every product format is covered yet.