Australian Sunscreen Council pushes Thailand to cap homosalate and oxybenzone

The Australian Sunscreen Council has asked Thailand’s FDA to tighten proposed cosmetic ingredient rules, including new limits on two chemical UV filters, during a public consultation opened June 9, 2026. The group says stricter caps would better protect consumers and support a shift toward mineral-based sunscreens.

Why it matters: - Thailand’s cosmetic ingredient review could affect which sunscreen filters can be sold in one of Southeast Asia’s key markets. - The Australian Sunscreen Council is pressing for tougher limits on chemical UV filters, arguing the changes would improve consumer protection and environmental safety. - The outcome could shape how Thailand aligns its rules with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.

What happened: - The Australian Sunscreen Council submitted formal comments to Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration during Thailand’s public consultation on proposed cosmetic ingredient updates. - Thailand opened the consultation on 9 June 2026 through the central legal portal, law.go.th. - The review covers six draft Ministry of Public Health notifications on prohibited substances, restricted substances and sunscreen ingredients. - The draft updates are intended to align Thailand’s cosmetic rules with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive. - The Australian Sunscreen Council welcomed that alignment but urged stronger action on chemical UV filters.

The details: - The Australian Sunscreen Council recommended a maximum homosalate concentration of 0.28%. - The Australian Sunscreen Council recommended a maximum oxybenzone, also called benzophenone-3, concentration of 1%. - The submission called for mandatory caution labelling on products that exceed those limits. - The council said Thailand should prioritise mineral UV filters, especially zinc oxide. - The council cited lower systemic absorption and better environmental safety profiles for mineral filters compared with many chemical filters. - The council pointed to publicly released documents supporting its position, including the full FOI release. - Joseph Mizikovsky, a member of the Australian Sunscreen Council, said Thailand’s review is an important opportunity to raise consumer protection standards. - Mizikovsky said Australian regulators’ evidence supports much stricter controls on homosalate and oxybenzone. - Mizikovsky said Thailand should adopt the most precautionary limits and clearly support mineral-based sunscreens.

Between the lines: - The council is using Thailand’s consultation to push for a stricter regulatory model beyond simple ASEAN alignment. - The focus on homosalate and oxybenzone reflects a broader debate over the safety profile of chemical UV filters versus mineral alternatives. - The submission also signals the Australian Sunscreen Council’s effort to position itself as an evidence-based voice on ingredient safety.

What's next: - Thailand’s FDA will review comments from the public consultation before finalizing the proposed cosmetic ingredient changes. - Any final decision could determine whether Thailand adopts tighter caps on homosalate and oxybenzone, plus warning labels for higher concentrations. - The Australian Sunscreen Council says it will continue advocating for evidence-based sunscreen regulation and greater transparency around ingredient safety.

The bottom line: - Thailand’s sunscreen rules are under review, and the Australian Sunscreen Council wants the country to choose the strictest limits on chemical UV filters while steering consumers toward mineral formulas.