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Consumers: Be sun-smart this summer At the start of the holiday season, the European Commission alerts consumers to the importance of adequate protection from the sun this summer and reminds them to look out for the clearer labelling regime on sunscreen bottles. Press release Memo

Many of us leave on vacation for happy days under the sun. But there is a serious drawback to exposure to sunlight, even at relatively low levels - sunlight may provoke skin cancer. Last year, the Commission drew attention to the the need for citizens to protect themselves against the dangerous effects of the sun - both against UV-A and UV-B radiation. Citizens should be vigilant and look out for the new sunscreen label "UVA", which stands for adequate protection against both UV-A and UV-B radiation. The improved labelling shows the letters UVA in a circle as follows:

What should consumers know?

Consumers are advised to use sunscreen products only as one of many measures to protect against the sun. Other measures include:

• Avoid excessive sun exposure at peak hours, which is usually between 11am and 3pm;

• When it is not possible to stay out of the sun, Keep yourself well covered, including hat, T-shirt, and sun glasses can give you additional protection;

• Avoid direct sun exposure for babies and young children

• Apply sunscreen products in sufficient quantity. The correct application of the product is just as important as the choice of the product itself. To reach the protection indicated on the "sun protection factor", a quantity of 2mg/cm² needs to be applied. This is about 36 grams (6 full tea spoons) of suncream for one adult body. Presently consumers use usually only about ½ of this quantity. This quantity has to be re-applied after swimming or towelling in order to maintain protection. See pictograms which will be used to reinforce these and other key facts and figures on sun exposure.

• Use sunscreens products protecting against both UVB and UVA radiation;

Press Release: Be sun-smart this summer!

More information

Rules for labelling of sunscreen products in the EU
Click here to download the pictograms in high resolution (.ai)

More information in your country:

Bulgaria Ministry of Health	Nederlands - Verstandig zonnen - Zonnetips - Gouden Regels	Sweden SOLinformation
Denmark - Skru ned for solen - Solcreme og selvbruner/selvbrunerkabiner: Miljøstyrelsens kosmetikguide	Norway Kreft foreningen	United Kingdom - Sunsmart - Sunsense
France - Soleil – mode d’emploi - Guide de la protection solaire	Finland - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority - Finnish Meteorological Institute - Finnish Cancer Organisations	Poland UVAgaslonce
Belgium - French version: soleilmalin - Dutch version: veiligindezon	Slovak republic Public Health Office of the Slovak Republic	Austria Federal Ministry for Health, Family and Youth
Germany Haut.de	Spain El sol	Czech Republic Ministry of Health
Slovenia Ministry of Health	Hungary Napsugarzas.hu