The European Commission has confirmed that in vitro SPF testing represents a reliable and ethical alternative to traditional in vivo sunscreen testing, marking another important step toward modernizing sunscreen efficacy evaluation in Europe.
According to the Commission, laboratory-based SPF testing methods demonstrate a high level of correlation with conventional human volunteer studies while eliminating the need to intentionally expose participants to ultraviolet radiation.
JACOP Project Evaluated 74 Sunscreen Products
The findings were generated through the Joint Actions on Compliance of Products (JACOP) initiative launched by the European Commission in 2025.
As part of the project, market surveillance authorities from 11 European countries tested:
- 74 sunscreen products
- SPF-containing day creams
- Products collected from both retail stores and online marketplaces
Researchers compared SPF and UVA protection results obtained through the new in vitro methodology with those generated using conventional in vivo testing.
Strong Correlation Between In Vitro and In Vivo SPF Testing
The study demonstrated a strong correlation between laboratory-based in vitro SPF testing and traditional human testing.
The Commission concluded that in vitro methods provide a scientifically reliable approach for substantiating SPF claims while significantly improving the ethical profile of sunscreen testing by avoiding intentional UV exposure of human volunteers.
European Commission Encourages Ethical Testing Approaches
Although the compliance results for the tested products have not yet been published, the Commission is encouraging cosmetic manufacturers to prioritize scientifically validated testing methods that avoid unnecessary risks to human participants.
This reflects a broader regulatory shift toward ethical and scientifically robust product performance testing.
ISO 23675 Adoption Expected to Accelerate
The announcement is expected to encourage wider adoption of ISO 23675, the international in vitro SPF testing standard published in 2024.
While conventional in vivo methods remain applicable in certain regulatory frameworks, acceptance of validated laboratory-based alternatives continues to expand across Europe.
What Does This Mean for Cosmetic Manufacturers?
Growing regulatory acceptance of in vitro SPF testing offers several benefits for cosmetic companies, including:
- Faster product development
- Lower testing costs
- Improved ethical testing practices
- Scientifically substantiated SPF claims
- Better preparedness for future regulatory expectations
As sunscreen regulations continue to evolve, laboratory-based SPF testing is expected to play an increasingly important role in cosmetic product compliance and performance evaluation.