In July 2025, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) opened a public consultation on potential changes to the regulation of three key sunscreen filters: homosalate, oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), and benzophenone.
Australia, which has the highest skin cancer rates in the world, maintains one of the strictest regulatory frameworks for photoprotection. However, following recent safety reviews conducted by the U.S. FDA and the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), the TGA has decided to reassess the concentration limits and conditions of use for these filters.
The proposals include:
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Reducing the maximum allowed concentration of homosalate and oxybenzone, particularly in products intended for the face and hands.
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Restricting their use based on consumer age or application site.
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Limiting the presence of benzophenone, even when generated as an impurity from octocrylene degradation.
These revisions reflect a global shift toward safer and more sustainable photoprotection, balancing UV-radiation efficacy with mitigation of systemic and environmental risks.
For detailed information on the specific restriction options proposed for each ingredient and the underlying technical justifications, the official TGA document can be consulted.