McConnell Sponsors Sunscreen Innovation Act

Press Release

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell co-sponsored the Sunscreen Innovation Act, which would ensure sunscreen ingredients receive a timely and transparent review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the country, and a known contributor to developing skin cancer is over exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Despite this public health threat, the FDA has failed to review new sunscreen ingredient applications that include technologies more capable of protecting skin against harmful UVA rays for more than a decade. These same technologies in pending U.S. sunscreen ingredient applications are available in Europe and other countries overseas, and in some cases have been so for more than 15 years.

"This is another example of bureaucracy run amok. It is unacceptable that FDA has been sitting on pending applications since 2002 that have the potential to provide greater protections to American families looking forward to spending some time in the sun this Memorial Day Weekend, and throughout the summer. I applaud my friend and colleague, Congressman Ed Whitfield, for his leadership in introducing a companion bill in the House, and I look forward to working with him and my Senate colleagues to fix this regulatory obstacle," Senator McConnell said.

Ashland Inc., a global specialty chemical company with a facility in Calvert City, manufactures precursor ingredients for these innovative sunscreens, and the cosmetics and beauty company, L'Oréal, has a finished product manufacturing facility in Florence. L'Oréal has two sunscreen ingredients pending approval, but they have been held up by the backlog at FDA.

"Ashland Inc. appreciates Senator McConnell's support for the Sunscreen Innovation Act. This important legislation will enable Ashland and other ingredient manufacturers to provide consumers with a choice of safe, effective sunscreens," said James Mish, who leads Ashland Inc.'s consumer specialties division. "We have a product with a proven benefit to consumers and this bill would establish a clear pathway for these products to be reviewed quickly and thoroughly. In addition to benefiting the citizens of Kentucky by providing them with the latest technology in sunscreens, passage of this bill will benefit the local economy as products manufactured at the Ashland Calvert City plant are used in the final process. It is expected that access to the US market will significantly increase the demand for all of these products."

"As a proud Kentucky employer and pioneer in skincare innovation since inventing the first sunscreen in 1936, L'Oréal commends Senator Mitch McConnell's decision to cosponsor the Sunscreen Innovation Act, which will provide American consumers greater access to the newest, safe and effective sunscreen products available," said Kristina Schake, Chief Communications Officer of L'Oréal USA.

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