Nano-sunscreens – a double-edged sword in protecting consumers from harm: viewing Australian regulatory policies through the lenses of the European Union

Abstract

Nanotechnology has the potential to bring about revolutionary changes in manufacturing products, including sunscreens. However, a knowledge gap between benefits and detriments of engineered nano-materials used in sunscreens exists, which gives rise to safety concerns. This article is concerned with the protection of consumers without impairing the embellishment of this promising technology. It is widely argued that the harm associated with nano-sunscreens may only occur under certain conditions related mainly to users skin vulnerability, which can be avoided by informed and careful use of such a product. We thus recognize the need for fostering the growth of nanotech simultaneously with preventing potential harm. We revisit the Australian sunscreens regulatory policies, which embrace a “wait and see” approach, through the lens of regulatory policies in the European Union (EU) that are influenced by a “precautionary principle.” We highlight the importance of informing consumers about the sunscreen they are using and recommend that product labels should disclose the presence of nano-ingredients in line with the EU disclosure requirements. This will allow users to carefully apply the product in order to avoid any potential harm and to protect manufacturers from possible costly litigation in future. This can be achieved through a combined collaborative effort of regulators, supply chain entities, and end users.

Keywords:

• Nano-sunscreens
• toxicity
• regulatory policies
• Australia
• European Union

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to gratefully acknowledge the helpful and constructive comments of the anonymous learned reviewers. We sincerely believe that their comments have helped improve the final manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The cover page includes the employment affiliation of all authors. The research representing this article has been funded by the University of Wollongong, Australia. under the Global Challenges Seed Grant 2017 and the Global Challenges Project Grant 2018. The authors take full responsibility for the writing and content of this article, and affirm that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this academic publication.