This document provides a procedure to characterize the sun protection factor (SPF), UVA protection factor (UVA-PF) and critical wavelength (CW) protection of sunscreen products without requiring biological responses. The test method is applicable for emulsions and single-phase products. The method has not been evaluated for use with powder forms sunscreen products.

This document gives specifications to enable determination of the absolute spectral absorbance characteristics of a sunscreen product on skin to estimate sunburn and UVA protection. It is applicable to products that contain any component able to absorb, reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) rays and which are intended to be placed in contact with human skin.