Australia's SPF Standards Are Among the World's Strictest
The country with the highest skin cancer rates also has the toughest rules.
At least 8 sun-filtering chemicals used in the EU have waited years for U.S. approval.
Japan classifies most high-SPF sunscreens as quasi-drugs requiring pre-market approval.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I buy some foreign sunscreens in the US?
Sunscreens sold in the US may use only FDA-approved filters and must meet OTC-drug rules, so a foreign product containing filters the FDA hasn't cleared (e.g., Tinosorb M or Uvinul filters) can't be legally marketed as sunscreen here. You may see them sold abroad or, unreliably, via personal import.
What does PA++++ mean on a sunscreen?
PA is the 'Protection Grade of UVA,' a rating developed in Japan and used across Asia, based on the Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) test. It runs from PA+ (some UVA protection) to PA++++ (extremely high). It complements SPF, which reflects only UVB protection.
How many UV filters are approved in the US vs the EU?
By count, the EU permits roughly 34 UV filters versus about 16 in the US. The gap exists largely because the US regulates sunscreens as over-the-counter drugs requiring extensive data, while the EU treats them as cosmetics. Bemotrizinol's June 2026 FDA approval was the first US addition in decades.
r/SkincareScience: 'What does PA++++ actually mean?'
Sources & citations
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex VI (EU allowed UV filters)
- cosmetic.chemlinked.com ↗