Australian Sunscreen Council Calls for Urgent TGA Action on Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals in Children’s Sunscreens Following Nine News Investigation

BRISBANE, QLD – May 21, 2026 – The Australian Sunscreen Council (ASC) is demanding immediate regulatory intervention from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) following a startling 9News broadcast that exposed the presence of potentially dangerous, hormone-disrupting chemicals in over 100 Australian sunscreens, including popular children’s and baby products.

Watch the full broadcast here

The investigation highlighted severe safety concerns regarding two chemical UV filters commonly used in Australia: Homosalate and 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor (4-MBC). Despite being heavily restricted or outright banned in other parts of the world, these chemicals remain legally permitted in Australia at alarming concentrations.

Through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests filed by ASC member and zinc sunscreen producer, Joseph Mizikovsky, it was revealed that the TGA has been internally aware of the endocrine-disrupting potential of these chemicals.

One internal TGA document obtained via FOI explicitly states that 4-MBC "does not appear to be safe due to endocrine disrupting potential." However, this information was withheld from the Australian public.

“They held internal safety concerns and they had chosen not to release that to the public,” Mr. Mizikovsky stated. “They're the regulator, we all trust them. They put out an image that they are on top of it, that Australia is the best in the world when it comes to sunscreen."

Global Standards vs. Australian Inaction

The broadcast underscored a stark contrast between Australia's regulatory lagging and proactive global safety standards:

• 4-MBC: Banned in all EU countries, unapproved in the US, China and Japan, and facing a UK ban starting in July, under review in Korea and a more recent ban amongst core ASEAN members over the next few years. 4-MBC is remarkably still found in more than 100 Australian sunscreens. This includes highly popular items like Cancer Council Kids, Banana Boat Kids Roll-On, Kids Spray, and Baby Roll-On products.

Assoc. Prof. Yousuf Mohammed, a prominent university researcher, warned of the severe biological impacts of these chemicals. "These could potentially be harmful to human beings," Prof. Mohammed stated, noting that exposure "could lead to loss of fertility, it could cause mood swings and imbalance in your day-to-day life." He further emphasized: "Most of the chemical sunscreens are not recommended for kids."

The SPF 50 Problem and Safer Alternatives

The industry-wide drive to achieve SPF 50 ratings has exacerbated the issue. As noted in the investigation, the higher the Sun Protection Factor goes, the more chemicals are required to maintain that 50 rating, making it increasingly difficult to keep formulations stable and safe for the skin. Following last year's widespread SPF testing failures, Australians are understandably confused about how to stay protected.

The ASC strongly advises consumers—especially parents—to scrutinize ingredient labels and rethink the assumption that all sunscreens are equally healthy for the skin. Commercial sunscreens are frequently loaded with chemical filters like octocrylene, oxybenzone, homosalate, and 4-MBC.

Until the TGA aligns its policies with international safety benchmarks, the ASC recommends that Australians prioritize protective clothing, seek shade, and switch to natural, mineral-based sunscreens containing Zinc Oxide. Mineral sunscreens provide highly effective, broad-spectrum protection by sitting on top of the skin, completely avoiding the risks of chemical absorption and endocrine disruption.

About the Australian Sunscreen Council (ASC):

The Australian Sunscreen Council is the peak industry body advocating for transparency, safety, and innovation in the Australian sunscreen sector. Comprised of toxicologists, dermatologists, formulators, and local manufacturers, the ASC champions science-led SPF efficacy and toxicology standards to protect public health and the environment.

For more information, visit: https://www.australiansunscreencouncil.org/