What is ISO 24443 about?
ISO 24443 discusses cosmetics. ISO 24443 specifies an in vitro procedure to characterize the UVA protection of sunscreen products. Specifications are given to enable the determination of the spectral absorbance characteristics of UVA protection in a reproducible manner.
ISO 24443 specifies the method to determine relevant UVA protection parameters. The method has been created to provide a UVspectral absorbance curve from which several calculations and evaluations are undertaken.
ISO 24443 includes calculation of the Ultraviolet-A protection factor (UVA-PF) [correlating with in vivo UVA-PF from the persistent pigment darkening (PPD) testing procedure], critical wavelength and UVA absorbance proportionality. These computations are optional and relate to local sunscreen product labelling requirements. This method relies on the use of static in vivo SPF results for scaling the UV absorbance curve.
Note: ISO 24443 is not applicable to powder products such as pressed powder and loose powder products.
Who is ISO 24443 for?
ISO 24443 on the determination of sunscreen UVA photoprotection in vitro is applicable to:
- Medical professionals
- Cosmetic products manufacturers and suppliers
- Quality control laboratories
Why should you use ISO 24443?
There is a demand among medical professionals, as well as knowledgeable consumers, to have fuller information on the UVA protection provided by their sunscreen product, in addition to the SPF, in order to make a more informed choice of product, providing a more balanced and broader-spectrum protection. Moreover, there is also a demand to prevent UVA-induced darkening of the skin from a cultural point of view even without sunburn. The UVA-PF value of a product provides information on the magnitude of the protection provided explicitly in the UVA portion of the spectrum, independent of the SPF values.
Topical sunscreen products are primarily rated and labelled according to their ability to protect against sunburn using ISO 24443, which provides a test method to determine the in vivo sun protection factor.
ISO 24443 specifies the procedure to determine the ultraviolet protection factor (UVA-PF) of a sunscreen product using the in vitro UVA-PF according to the principles recommended by the European Cosmetic and Perfumery Association (COLIPA) in 2011.
The outcome of this test method which is provided by ISO 24443 is used to determine the UVA classification of topical sunscreen products according to local regulatory requirements.
ISO 24443 gives specifications to enable the determination of the spectral absorbance characteristics of UVA protection in a reproducible manner. This method relies on the use of in vivo SPF results for scaling the UV absorbance curve.
ISO 24443 helps to make a more informed choice of product, providing a more balanced and broader-spectrum protection.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN ISO 24443:2021 supersedes BS EN ISO 24443:2012, which is withdrawn.
The main changes BS EN ISO 24443:2021 compared to the BS EN ISO 24443:2012 are as follows:
- acceptance of moulded and sandblasted pmma plates, according to specifications described
- product application fitted to 1,2mg/cm2 for sandblasted plates
- description of application gesture according to tested products
- introduction of a new high uva pf standard p8
- introduction of critical wavelength calculation
- calculation of coefficient "c" accepted from in vivo screening spf, with specific conditions based on sem and percentage of variability, and new range proposed from 0,6 to 1,6
- limitation of uva irradiation dose to 36 j/cm2