Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), Co-Chair of the Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus, joined the other three Co-Chairs, Congressmembers John Joyce (PA-13), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Dave Joyce (OH-14), to introduce the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act. Their bill would streamline the FDA review process of the effectiveness and safety of new ingredients for nonprescription sunscreens.
Over 5 million Americans are treated for skin cancer each year at a cost of over $8 billion, and the estimated number of new melanoma cases diagnosed in 2025 is projected to increase by 5.9 percent. In 2014, Congress passed the Sunscreen Innovation Act to establish a process for review and approval of active sunscreen ingredients. Despite this, it has been more than twenty years since the FDA approved new sunscreen ingredients.
“Skin cancer continues to affect far too many Americans, so it’s imperative that we make high-quality sunscreen more available,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. “For too long, outdated FDA rules have kept Americans from accessing the most effective sun protection available. This bipartisan bill is a commonsense step to modernize the approval process and keep families safe and healthy during the summer months and beyond.”
“As a physician legislator and a board-certified dermatologist, I have seen firsthand the benefits of sunscreens to help prevent melanoma and other skin cancers,” said Congressman John Joyce, M.D. “It is very disappointing that the FDA has ignored Congressional intent and continues to stall the approval of new sunscreen ingredients despite previous reforms passed by Congress to streamline this process. Through the introduction of the bipartisan SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act, we can ensure that the FDA quickly approves new sunscreen ingredients, giving the American public access to the best skin protection available.”
“We know sunscreen is an incredibly effective, affordable tool to prevent the most common cancer in our country, yet America still lacks the same sunscreen technology that many other nations are using,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “We should be making it as easy as possible for people to get the best sunscreen available. This bill will allow for the FDA to approve new, advanced sunscreen ingredients to better protect Americans from dangerous sun exposure and reduce their risk of skin cancer.”
“As skin cancer rates continue to rise across the country, it’s unacceptable that sunscreen innovation has remained virtually stagnant,” said Congressman Dave Joyce. “As a melanoma survivor, I understand the importance of quality sunscreen and am proud to introduce this legislation to fast track the review and implementation of new sunscreen products. It’s high time for the Food and Drug Administration to start a new chapter in skin health and embrace new advancements that will expand access to cutting-edge sunscreens for all Americans. As we enter the summer months, I encourage everyone to continue taking proactive, preventative measures for their skin health.”
“The last time the FDA approved a new over-the-counter monograph sunscreen active ingredient, or UV filter, was the 1990s. Since then, the rest of the world has moved one or two generations of sunscreen ahead of the United States. The PASS Coalition applauds the introduction of this critical legislation, which takes a long-overdue step toward modernizing the FDA’s sunscreen approval process. As rates of skin cancer in the U.S. have steadily risen, the U.S. Surgeon General has declared skin cancer a public health crisis. Yet, for too long, Americans have lacked access to the most advanced UV filters available globally. This bill will help ensure that safe, effective, and innovative sunscreens reach the U.S. market as soon as possible.” – Public Access to SunScreens Coalition
“Over 100,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, and this cancer is on the rise, especially among young women. The Melanoma Research Alliance fully supports this bill to fast-track the evaluation and approval of new sunscreen ingredients without lowering the FDA’s safety standards. Melanoma is largely a preventable cancer, and passing this bill will give Americans access to many more sunscreen options that fit their lifestyles best. The best sunscreen is the one you will use.” – Melanoma Research Alliance
“The Melanoma Research Foundation on behalf of the Public Access to SunScreens Coalition is pleased to see bipartisan support for OMUFA reauthorization and removing regulatory barriers to sunscreen filter approvals. The United States has not approved a new sunscreen filter since the 1990s, leaving Americans needlessly vulnerable to skin cancer. The best sunscreen is the one that you will use daily, and the American people deserve more product options for themselves and their families. This is an important step towards skin cancer prevention, and we thank Representatives John Joyce, Dave Joyce, Debbie Dingell, and Deborah Ross for their leadership on this issue.” – Melanoma Research Foundation