AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® Scientific Review

 

How to Apply:
To receive more information or to request an application packet, please contact:

Elizabeth Jan Edgar, MS
Director of Development
American Academy of Dermatology
Phone: (847) 240-1037

E-mail: via our contact form


Scientific Review and Criteria

The AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® program is overseen by dermatologists who have expertise in photobiology and skin cancer and who serve on the Academy's Melanoma/Skin Cancer Committee. Companies that apply to have the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® on their products 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 that submit applications to the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® program for these types of products must have all required testing measures independently conducted by an external testing facility at their own cost. Documentation from these external sources that indicates 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 Academy's Council on Science and Research. These criteria are based on the latest scientific evidence, which includes the following:

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 are not required to show water-resistance.

Clothing and Hats

    • An Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 30 or higher.
    • UVA transmission of less than 5 percent (95 percent blocking of UVA).
    • Meet or exceed minimal coverage criteria as indicated by the European standard (EN13758).
    • Documentation supporting adherence to U.S. 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 inches) 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.

Shade Cloth and Umbrellas

    • An Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 30 or higher.
    • UVA transmission of less than 5 percent (95 percent blocking of UVA).
    • Documentation supporting adherence to U.S. standards for testing and labeling of UV-protective textiles (AATCC 183; ASTM D6603).
    • Umbrellas must be greater than 1.5 meters in diameter.

Laundering UV Absorbers

    • A Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 30 or higher.
  • UVA transmission of 5 percent or higher (95 percent blocking of UVA) after no more than five 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 percent or less (absorption of 99 percent of UVB).
  • Mean UVA  transmittance of 1 percent or less (absorption of 99 percent 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 percent or higher UV transmission blocked.