Breaking news: FDA announces sunscreen rules!

Dear Readers,

We did it -- and it's all thanks to you.

The Food and Drug Administration delivered the news this morning -- the federal government's new rules for sunscreen protection.

This is a victory for EWG Action Fund and our supporters. You and nearly 54,000 activists stood up and demanded that the FDA issue these rules after 33 years in the works. Thank you!

But this is not a complete victory. The FDA caved to industry on several important issues. We've been campaigning for sunscreen standards for years, and we are not going to stop now.

Click here to read more about the new rules.

These rules -- that go into effect June 2012 -- fall short. While they bar the industry from continuing to use misleading claims like "waterproof," "sweatproof" and "sunblock," they still allow potentially dangerous ingredients like retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone. In another example of almost-but-not-quite-right, the FDA's new standard for UVA protection is so weak that it will allow nearly every product on the market today to claim both UVA and UVB protection, indicated by the term "broad spectrum" despite the fact that some products do not offer adequate protection.

If you want to protect yourself from the sun, you'll still need more information than labels will contain to make informed choices. EWG will continue to analyze sunscreens and publish our popular Sunscreen Guide to give you the information you need to make the best decisions. Together, we'll keep pushing for greater protections for you and your family.

Thank you for signing our sunscreen petition to the FDA. You spoke up, and the government answered.

Sincerely,

Ken Cook
President, EWG Action Fund

P.S. The FDA acted because of public outcry. But there is still more work to do to protect you from toxic chemicals in the products you use every day. EWG Action Fund works to make sure your voice is heard, but we need support from people like you to enact real change. Giving just $5 dollars today will help us continue this fight. Please donate today!