Sustainable Reef – Safe Sunscreen
Sunscreens
Not all sunscreens are friends of the sea.
Recent studies have shown that Benzophenone-3 (BP-3; Oxybenzone), an ingredient in sunscreen lotions and personal care products which protects against the damaging effects of ultraviolet light, contributes to the coral bleaching and reef strain, as it disrupts coral reproduction and growth. According to these studies, even small doses of Oxybenzone – about one drop in 6.5 Olympic swimming pools – damage coral.
According to both U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and EU regulations, even sunscreens marked as “water-resistant” can lose 50 percent of their sun protection factor after 40-minute bathing. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the potential impact of UV creams on coral reefs and the entire marine ecosystem. Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreen containing the coral- harming chemicals.
Friend of the Sea has developed a standard for the certification of sustainable and reef-safe UV creams to help consumers make responsible choices.
Friend of the Sea Reef-Safe Sunscreen standard
- it releases less than 20% of its chemicals into the water after 80 minutes
- it does not contain chemicals that damage corals and marine life in general
- evidence of testing from independent laboratories are required
- it offsets its plastic content by means of Friend of the Sea plastic offsets
Choose Friend of the Sea Certified Sustainable Reef-Safe Sunscreens
As a consumer or responsibly sourcing company, you can contribute to environmental and social sustainability, by sourcing Friend of the Sea certified Sustainable Reef-Safe Sunscreen. You can shop several Friend of the Sea certified Sunscreens from our online showcase. By purchasing Friend of the Sea certified products you are also supporting our several conservation and awareness programs.
Request a quotation for Friend of the Sea Certification of Sustainable Reef-Safe Sunscreen Your Company can request for a quotation for audit and royalties to use the Friend of the Sea registered trademark logo, by filling out the online Preliminary Information Form.
- All the information will be kept strictly confidential and implies NO commitment on your company’s part.
- The Friend of the Sea certification is voluntary and NOT mandatory to gain access to markets.
- The application process is NOT discriminatory on size, scale, management and minimum number of operators.
- Friend of the Sea is a NGO and it strives to make participation in the audits affordable for all companies.
- Please, contact us for more information on Government funding which might be available in your Country for sustainability certifications: info@friendofthesea.org
