Since 1998 the International Standard Organization has invested the cosmetic area with intention to generate reference documents providing technical and commercial solutions to problems occurring at international level in the relationship between partners at economical, scientific, technological and social levels. This involvement covers number of domains, among which all aspects related to sun protection.
Two standards referring to the in vivo SPF and UVAPF test methods were already published and are available. An UVA PF in vitro method based on skin absorbance has been developed and is currently at its final status. Due to technical difficulties encountered during its validation, the SPF in vitro test method is still in development.
In 2010 a new work item was accepted concerning the water resistance and its validation process has already started.
The question related to the photo stability of sun filters has been considered in the 2011 meeting of the working group in Auckland where an ad hoc working group has been created to consider the practical feasibility to generate a standard for such purpose.
After a short introduction reminding the reach of an ISO standard, and the process followed to generate it, the topic will target more specifically the different methods which were developed or are still in progress to establish the sun protective efficacy of cosmetics, showing their objective and specificities as well as the difficulties encountered to implement them by means of a global consensus.