Coppertone Passes Assurance Assessment

The sun care industry has endured months and years of negative press. One manufacturer wants to assure consumers that they can believe in their UV protection. Bayer, the maker of Coppertone, commissioned an independent “assurance assessment,” designed to provide consumers with greater confidence when choosing sunscreen. A sun care industry first, Bayer retained AccountAbility, a consulting and standards firm, to undertake an independent assurance assessment of Bayer's internal processes, systems, controls and performance guidelines for the labeling accuracy of 10 of its top-selling Coppertone products in the US, and then make the report available to the public.


“Consumers are receiving information about sun protection from a variety of often contradictory sources, which is causing confusion. They want assurance that product performance claims are based on legitimate scientific testing,” said Michael Tune, VP-personal care development center. “As a leader in the US sun care industry, we wanted to utilize our long-standing leadership to meet the changing expectations of consumers by voluntarily conducting, and sharing, this independent assurance assessment.”


Coppertone has a history of leadership in scientifically proven and quality sun care products. In 1944, Coppertone introduced the first commercial sun care product to consumers in the US. In 1972, Coppertone developed and introduced its “Sun Protection Factor,” or “SPF index,” and was the first to label its products with an SPF designation to identify the strength of sun protection. The standard was later adopted by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and eventually, the entire global sun care industry.


“Coppertone has continued its commitment to quality, excellence, innovation and truth in labeling, backed up by science, clinically relevant data and robust testing,” said Eduardo Ruvolo, director, US & international medical affairs, sun care and skin care. “The results of the independent assurance assessment show that Coppertone products consistently and reliably provide the level of sun protection that our consumers expect, and trust us to deliver.”


Bayer acquired Coppertone in 2014 from Merck, and today, Coppertone's high quality sun care products meet the stringent demands, unyielding precision and focus on quality that have been the pillars of Bayer's business for more than 150 years.


Coppertone's Safety and Efficacy testing program is based on:
• Science and clinically relevant data
• FDA requirements
• Ongoing investment in comprehensive testing programs that go beyond what is required by the FDA, such as real-world use studies involving outdoor recreational activity including swimming in a pool
• Evaluating safety and efficacy, including for SPF and broad spectrum (protection from both UVA and UVB rays), by independent investigators, dermatologists, pediatricians and scientists
• Numerous global standards for SPF and UVA protection


Bayer gave the external assurance provider access to the facilities, records and people necessary to conduct its assessment, including:
• Processes, systems, controls, performance data, principles and internal guidelines
• Testing and performance guidelines developed and enforced in accordance with US regulations
• Quality assurance processes and systems developed and enforced for packaging and labeling
• Bayer's processes, controls and performance guidelines used to manage their suppliers
• 10 different products, including lotions, sprays, sticks and its new “Whipped” sunscreens


The independent assurance assessment concluded that the Bayer's products comply with internal and all applicable external guidelines to ensure the labeling accuracy of Coppertone products, accurately test and implement quality assurance procedures, and are found to comply with quality, safety and efficacy requirements.


In an industry first, Bayer is making the report available to the public. To read the full report, click here.