SCIENTIFIC REVIEW & CRITERIA

The AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® program is overseen by dermatologists with expertise in photobiology and skin cancer who serve on the Academy’s Melanoma/Skin Cancer Committee. Companies with products applying for the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® must submit extensive formulation and scientific testing data from independent laboratories. An independent photobiologist reviews the documentation and makes recommendations to a work group of the Melanoma/Skin Cancer Committee, which ultimately approves the applications.

Products considered for participation include; sunscreens, cosmetics and moisturizers that provide broad-spectrum protection, garments and hats, shade structures, umbrellas, laundry additives, eye protection and window films/tints.

Manufacturers submitting applications for sun-protection products to the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® program must have all required testing measures independently conducted by an external testing facility at their own cost.  Documentation from these external sources indicating the methodology and results of these tests will need to be provided to the Academy to support all claims.  The Academy will not accept internal industry laboratory documents to support any portion of these required criteria. 

The Academy’s Board of Directors approved the program criteria that have been developed by the Council on Science and Research based on the latest scientific evidence:

Sunscreens , Moisturizers and Cosmetics*

• Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
• Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays)
  as evidenced by in vivo testing using Persistent Pigment Darkening
  and the Critical Wavelength method (>370 nm)
• Evidence of water-resistance and product stability
• Absence of phototoxicity
• Compliance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines

*Moisturizers and Cosmetics that provide sun-protection must follow the sunscreen criteria minus the requirement for water-resistance.

Clothing & Hats

• A Ultrviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 30 or higher
• UVA transmission of less than 5% (95% blocking of UVA)
• Meet or exceed minimal coverage criteria as indicated by the European standard (EN13758)
• Documentation supporting adherence to US standards for testing and labeling of UV protective garments (ASTM D6544; AATCC 183; ASTM D6603)
• Hats designed for adults must include a fixed brim/fabric material 7.5cm (3”) or more around the circumference of the hat
• Hats designed for children must include a fixed brim/fabric material around the circumference of the hat. Brim size should be proportionally smaller to that of the adult recommendation based on the head-form size used

Laundering UV absorbers:

• A Ultrviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 30 or higher
• UVA transmission of 5% or higher (95% blocking of UVA) after no more than 5 laundering cycles
• Documentation supporting adherence to testing criteria which should include:
• Use of standardized laundering conditions in accordance with AATCC183 with the addition of the UV absorber
• Test fabric sample size should be a minimum n=3 from which swatches for laundering will be taken
• UPF testing after laundering in accordance with ASTM 6544

 

Sunglasses:

• Mean UVB transmittance of 1% or less (absorption of 99% of UVB)
• Mean UVA  transmittance of 1% or less (absorption of 99% of UVA)
• Minimal lens sizes for children and adults in accordance with AS/NZS 1067
• For adults: 40mm x 28mm with centers separated by 64mm
• For children: 34mm x 24mm with centers separated by 54mm
• Sunglass frames should be of the wrap-around style or have sufficiently thick arms or side shields such that the eye cannot be viewed from the side when worn.
• Documentation supporting adherence for all color, traffic signal transmittance and flammability testing specifications of ANSI Z80.3.
• Demonstration of impact resistance per FDA regulations 21CFR801.410, with lenses for children’s sunglasses constructed only from polycarbonate.

Windows and window films/tints:

• 99% or higher UV transmission blocked