Labsphere's UV-2000S transmittance analyser for sunscreens is immediately available to assist manufacturers in complying with new guidelines for the labelling of sunscreen products.
Issued in June by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the new rules allow US manufacturers to label products as effective protection against skin cancer and early skin aging.
The change follows standards already in place globally.
Products must first meet stringent UVA and UVB broad spectrum measurement protocols.
UVB rays are the major cause of sunburn, while UVA rays contribute not only to skin aging but to deeper damage to skin cells, which could result in cancer.
The new guidelines are designed to reduce consumer confusion.
Labsphere's UV-2000S device is designed to provide an easy-to-use and accurate way for manufacturers to perform in vitro measurements in compliance with the new FDA labelling criteria.
Its benchtop R+D system measures the diffuse transmittance of sunscreen samples in the ultraviolet wavelength region from 250-450Nm.
Labsphere's Spectralon integrating sphere incorporates a re-optimised xenon flash lamp to provide exceptional diffuse illumination of the product sample and minimise data integration time.
High-performance diode array spectrometers, coupled by new, advanced fibre optics, are optimised at the system level for low stray light with superior wavelength stability and flash-to-flash repeatability.
A set of calibrated standards, including a wavelength standard that captures six relevant spectral bands, is included with each UV Transmittance Analyser.
