Sunscreen & SPF Compliance Handbook
Efficacy, claims, testing and labelling for sun-protection products.
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Quick answer
The Sunscreen & SPF Compliance Handbook is a 23-page guide for anyone making or selling a product with an SPF claim in Great Britain. It explains the three efficacy rules (SPF, the UVA one-third rule, critical wavelength), labelling categories, the UVA logo, test methods and UV filters. It costs £27.77 as an instant PDF download.
What's inside?
| Document | What it is |
|---|---|
| The handbook as a digital download | 23 pages, read on any device |
| Six parts | Why sunscreen is special, the three efficacy rules, labelling, substantiation, UV filters, crossing markets |
| A worked review | The rules applied to an example product |
| Official sources & standards | Where to check the rules yourself |
Who is this book for?
- Brands launching a dedicated sunscreen
- Skincare brands adding SPF to a day cream or moisturiser
- Formulators and makers of after-sun products with SPF
- Anyone checking SPF claims before they go on pack
What does it not cover?
- Advice on your specific product — for your own SPF claim or label, book a 30-Minute Expert Consultation.
- SPF or UVA testing — the handbook explains which tests support which claims; it does not test your product.
- A safety assessment — to have one prepared, order a CPSR for a single product.
- A printed copy — it is a digital download only.
How do I get it after purchase?
- Check out Add the e-book to your basket and pay securely.
- Get your PDF instantly Your download link appears after checkout and is emailed to you.
- Read anywhere Open the PDF on your phone, tablet or computer and keep it for reference.
- Get help when you need it Book a consultation or order compliance documents when you are ready.
What is Sunscreen & SPF Compliance Handbook?
Sunscreen & SPF Compliance Handbook is an SPF and sun-protection claims guide published by Phoenix Safety Consultants: 23 pages, £27.77, delivered as an instant PDF download.
Sunscreen is the most heavily scrutinised cosmetic you can sell. Because a misleading SPF claim can lead someone to under-protect their skin, regulators treat sun-protection labelling as a public-health matter and judge it far more strictly than ordinary cosmetic claims.
This handbook is for dedicated sunscreens, after-sun with SPF and the increasingly common day moisturiser "with SPF 30". It is GB-focused and also shows what changes when you cross a border, because sunscreen is classified differently in different markets.
What are the three sunscreen efficacy rules?
The handbook sets out three efficacy hurdles a GB sun-protection product must clear:
- SPF, the UVB number — a product must reach at least SPF 6 to make a sun-protection claim, and the SPF is declared within set categories.
- UVA, the one-third rule — the UVA protection factor must be at least one-third of the labelled SPF (an SPF 30 must show a UVAPF of at least 10) before any UVA claim or the UVA-in-circle logo.
- Critical wavelength — protection across the UVA range up to at least 370 nm, confirming true broad-spectrum protection.
It then covers labelling categories, water resistance, warnings, banned claims, the test behind each claim, UV filters, nanomaterials, "reef-safe" claims and the US drug pathway.
How to use this book
- Before printing a label — check every SPF and UVA claim.
- When briefing a test lab — map each claim to its test method.
- Before exporting — see how sunscreen is classified in other markets.
Legal position
- Great Britain: UK Cosmetics Regulation (retained Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009) and the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013.
- UK Cosmetic Claims Criteria (retained Regulation (EU) No 655/2013).
The handbook is general guidance for information and education. It is not legal, regulatory or safety-assessment advice; responsibility for compliance rests with the Responsible Person.
Who wrote it, and what should I read next?
- Who publishes this book? — Published by Phoenix Safety Consultants, under the supervision of Syed Muhammad Shamuel Shees, Founder & CEO.
- Is it written from practice? — Yes. Phoenix Safety Consultants prepares cosmetic safety documentation, and the book is written in plain English to be used, not just read.
- Questions? — Message us on WhatsApp at +44 7346 009332.
Related reading: The Cosmetics Brand Founder's Compliance Handbook and The Formulation Library — 100 Beauty Formulas. Need a professional next step? See our CPSR for a single product. Browse every title in the E-Books collection, or get all nine for £47.77 with the Complete E-Book Library Bundle (£250.15 bought separately).