AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION program to be phased out

FDA Sunscreen Monograph Expected to Provide Guidance to Manufacturers and the Public about Effective Sun-Protection Products

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has decided to phase out its AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION(R) program over the next two years, and will cease accepting new applications effective immediately. Products which were accepted into the program prior to November 15, 2009, will continue to carry the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION(R) until the end of their two-year terms.

"With the expectation that the FDA will soon be issuing a sunscreen monograph that will likely be aligned with the stringent criteria of the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION(R) program, the Board of Directors determined that the need for the program would be diminished and decided to phase out the program," said dermatologist David M. Pariser, M.D., president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

"While reaffirming its recognition of the sun-protection benefits of the products currently in the program, the Board agreed that the Academy's resources now should be focused on enhancing its other public education efforts to increase awareness of the dangers of excessive sun exposure and to encourage positive behavior change with respect to sun protection," Dr. Pariser said.

The objectives of the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION(R) program are to help educate the public about the dangers of sun exposure and help decrease the incidence of skin cancer by giving the public a reliable method to make an informed decision when choosing sun-protection products.

"Public education about sun protection is the first line of defense against skin cancer," he said. "The FDA sunscreen monograph is expected to provide additional guidance to manufacturers regarding sunscreen product development and testing, and require new labeling which is expected to help consumers choose effective sun-protection products," he said.