ISO TR 26369-2009 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/TR 26369:2009 — Cosmetics — Sun protection test methods — Review and evaluation of methods to assess the photoprotection of sun protection products. This technical report compiles, reviews and evaluates methods used to determine the photoprotection (SPF and UVA) of sunscreen and sun‑protection products, covering both in vivo and in vitro approaches and providing comparative tables of key method parameters.

Abstract

ISO/TR 26369:2009 reviews and evaluates the methods currently used for regulatory and self‑regulatory assessment of photoprotection provided by sun protection products applied to the human body. It is applicable to sun protection factor (SPF) and UVA protection, and includes both in vivo (human subject) and in vitro (laboratory substrate/spectral) methods. The report is intended as a technical/scientific framework to help identify methods suitable for standardization and to simplify comparison between existing procedures.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 2009‑09 (first edition 2009).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 71.100.70 (Cosmetics; toiletries).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2009).
• Number of pages: 39 pages.

Scope

The report surveys established and commonly used test procedures for determining SPF and UVA protection of sun‑protection products. It describes in vivo erythema‑based SPF methods and a range of in vitro spectral/absorbance techniques used to quantify UVA protection, then evaluates those methods against key parameters (e.g., substrates, application rates, spectral measurement ranges and endpoints). The document is aimed at regulators, industry and standards developers as a reference to compare methods and to guide selection or further harmonization of test protocols.

Key topics and requirements

• Compilation and side‑by‑side comparison of SPF and UVA test methods (in vivo and in vitro).
• Evaluation criteria for methods: reproducibility, key parameters (application rate, substrate/plate type, irradiation dose), endpoints and scaling requirements.
• Discussion of method applicability for regulatory labelling and claims (SPF, UVA‑PF, critical wavelength / broad‑spectrum assessment).
• Tables summarizing procedural elements and typical conditions used by different test methods to aid method selection and harmonization.
• Recommendations to assist identification of methods suitable for formal standardization and further development of the ISO sun‑protection test series.

Typical use and users

Regulatory agencies, national standards bodies, sunscreen and personal‑care product manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, consumer protection organizations and academic researchers use this technical report as a reference to compare test methods, interpret test results, and select appropriate procedures for validation, method development or regulatory submissions.

Related standards

ISO/TR 26369:2009 sits within ISO work on sun‑protection test methods. Key related ISO documents include ISO 24444 (In vivo determination of the sun protection factor — SPF) and ISO 24443 (Determination of sunscreen UVA photoprotection in vitro). The TR was produced by ISO/TC 217 (Cosmetics) to support and guide the development and comparison of these and other methods in the ISO series on sun protection testing.

Keywords

SPF; UVA; sun protection factor; photoprotection; sunscreen testing; in vivo; in vitro; ISO/TC 217; critical wavelength; broad‑spectrum; sunscreen standardization.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/TR 26369:2009 is a Technical Report from ISO that reviews and evaluates existing test methods for assessing the photoprotection (SPF and UVA) of sun‑protection products. It is not a prescriptive single test method but a comparative review and evaluation to support harmonization and standardization efforts.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers both in vivo SPF methods (erythema‑based tests on human volunteers) and a variety of in vitro spectral/absorbance methods used to assess UVA protection, and provides comparative tables and evaluation of the methods’ key parameters and practical considerations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Regulators, manufacturers of sunscreens and personal‑care products, test laboratories, consumer groups and standards developers use the report to compare methods, inform test selection, and support regulatory or labeling decisions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO/TR 26369:2009 is a published Technical Report from 2009 and serves as a review document. It remains a reference for historical and comparative context; specific test methods referenced in the report (for example the in vivo SPF method and in vitro UVA methods) have been developed into or superseded by separate ISO standards (for example ISO 24444 and later editions of ISO 24443). Users should consult the current editions of the specific test standards when performing conformity testing.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO/TR 26369:2009 was produced to support a series of ISO documents on sun protection test methods and to help identify which procedures should be standardized. It acts as a companion/review document to the operational standards such as ISO 24444 (SPF in vivo) and ISO 24443 (UVA in vitro).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are SPF, UVA, sun protection factor, photoprotection, sunscreen testing, in vivo test, in vitro test, ISO, cosmetics, and ISO/TC 217.