CA AJR16

The FDA has not approved a new sunscreen ingredient or filter in over 20 years, limiting innovation and leaving Americans with fewer protective options against skin cancer.

The United States currently permits 16 UV filters in sunscreen products while European nations have up to 30 approved filters available.

Current FDA approval requirements for sunscreen ingredients are overly burdensome, requiring extensive time and resources similar to new drug applications and not utilizing modern non-animal testing methods.

Congress passed the Sunscreen Innovation Act in 2014 to address regulatory delays, but the FDA continues to move slowly on approving over-the-counter sunscreen ingredients and filters that are safe and widely used internationally.

The California Legislature urges Congress to explore policy options to improve the timeliness of FDA approval pathways for sunscreen ingredients and filters.