Johnson & Johnson agrees to meet NZ standard for SPF testing
Monday, 19 February 2018
Sunscreen producer Johnson & Johnson has agreed to only sell sunscreen products which meet the joint Australian/New Zealand standards after an investigation by the Commerce Commission.
The commission opened an investigation following a complaint from Consumer New Zealand that alleged the value of one of Johnson & Johnson's Neutrogena-range products, Sensitive Skin SPF60+, was significantly less than the label claimed. Johnson & Johnson stopped selling it in September 2016.
Consumer NZ had tested the product against the Australian/New Zealand standard, which is mandatory in Australia but voluntary in New Zealand, where multiple standards are recognised and can be legally used for SPF ratings.
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The commission obtained Johnson & Johnson's own testing results.
Johnson & Johnson had tested against the American Federal Drug Administration standard, and had obtained an SPF rating of 60+.
The commission undertook independent testing of the Sensitive Skin SPF60+ product, and another Neutrogena product, Pure & Free Baby SPF60+. The two products had near-identical formulations.
The watchdog conducted tests under both the Australian/New Zealand and the American standards and the testing showed significantly lower SPF performance than that represented by Johnson & Johnson.
The variability of testing methods and the results produced by the two methods meant that the commission investigation was not conclusive as to the actual SPF ratings of the products.
To resolve the disputed issues, Johnson & Johnson has signed court enforceable undertakings ensuring that all Johnson & Johnson sunscreen products would meet the joint Australian/New Zealand standard, the commission said.
This brought Johnson & Johnson's testing of SPF products into line with other major New Zealand sunscreen sellers, the commission said.
More than 90 per cent of respondents to a recent Neighbourly poll said sunscreens should have stricter testing and have mandatory standards.