August 1, 2008
Press Release
Dodd, Reed Seek to Improve Sunscreen Safety Standards
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Jack Reed (D-RI) today introduced legislation to help Americans better protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays. The SUN Act would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen labeling and testing standards for sunscreen products. Currently, FDA standards require that sunscreen protect against UVB rays, known for causing sunburns and increasing the chance of skin cancer. However, they do not require protection against UVA rays, which are a major cause of skin cancer and premature aging.
“Another summer season is almost over, and once again, the FDA has failed to implement enforceable sunscreen standards that adequately protect Americans from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays,” Dodd said. “The FDA’s current standards for sunscreen testing and labeling leave Americans with a false sense of security about whether their sunscreen protects them from harmful UVA rays. While the FDA has proposed to improve their testing and labeling rules, they have done nothing to make those rules final and enforceable. That is why Senator Reed and I are introducing the SUN Act – to ensure that the FDA makes good on its promise, and so that all Americans can look forward to safer summers.”
“Most Americans probably assume that their sunscreen protects them from the harmful rays that cause skin cancer. But unfortunately, with many products, that isn’t the case. While the FDA delays, the American people are literally getting burned,” said Reed. “The FDA needs stronger labeling regulations so parents know the products they are buying will protect them and their kids from both UVA and UVB rays.”
Dodd and Reed have led the fight for improved sunscreen labeling for over ten years. Dodd and Reed championed language in a past appropriations bill requiring the FDA to issue final standards for sunscreen labeling on UVA and UVB by May 2006. More recently, they sent letters in May 2007 and February 2008 to Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, the Commissioner of the FDA, expressing their concern about the agency’s standards for sunscreen labeling and urging the FDA to act quickly to finalize new labeling. The FDA eventually complied with the Senators’ request and proposed a new sunscreen labeling rule, but has failed to enact the proposed improvements for almost a year. The legislation introduced by Senators Dodd and Reed today would require the FDA to finalize its proposed rule within 180 days.
The SUN Act is supported by the American Cancer Society, the Melanoma Research Foundation, Citizens for Sun Protection, the Environmental Working Group, and sunscreen manufacturers Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic. The SUN Act is cosponsored by Senators Kerry (D-MA), Carper (D-DE), Clinton (D-NY), and Biden (D-DE).
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