End Misleading Sunscreen Labels in California
When you buy a sunscreen labeled "reef safe" or "reef friendly," you expect it to not contain chemicals known to harm ocean wildlife. But right now, those claims are completely unregulated, and any company can print them on a bottle regardless of what's inside.
Some products containing avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, and/or oxybenzone carry reef-friendly labels even though scientists at NOAA and in peer-reviewed research have linked these chemical UV filters to coral bleaching, kelp damage, disrupted fish reproduction, and/or hormonal harm in marine organisms. Every time a swimmer or surfer enters the water, these chemicals wash off and can accumulate in sensitive coastal habitats.
AB 1744, authored by Assemblymember Addis, creates a clear, science-based standard: only sunscreens using mineral active ingredients, zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, may carry reef-friendly marketing claims. Products containing chemical UV filters cannot.
This closes a significant greenwashing loophole, empowers consumers to make genuinely informed purchasing decisions, and holds brands accountable for the environmental claims they profit from.
Californians who care about the ocean deserve to know that the products they choose actually do what the label says. AB 1744 makes that possible.
Urge your representatives to support AB 1744.
TAKE ACTION WITH SURFRIDER
End Misleading Sunscreen Labels in California
Contact your state lawmakers to ask them to support AB 1744 and create a clear, enforceable standard that prevents misuse of terms like "reef safe" and "reef friendly" in chemical sunscreen products.
Enter your name and details:
End Misleading Sunscreen Labels in California
When you buy a sunscreen labeled "reef safe" or "reef friendly," you expect it to not contain chemicals known to harm ocean wildlife. But right now, those claims are completely unregulated, and any company can print them on a bottle regardless of what's inside.
Some products containing avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, and/or oxybenzone carry reef-friendly labels even though scientists at NOAA and in peer-reviewed research have linked these chemical UV filters to coral bleaching, kelp damage, disrupted fish reproduction, and/or hormonal harm in marine organisms. Every time a swimmer or surfer enters the water, these chemicals wash off and can accumulate in sensitive coastal habitats.
AB 1744, authored by Assemblymember Addis, creates a clear, science-based standard: only sunscreens using mineral active ingredients, zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, may carry reef-friendly marketing claims. Products containing chemical UV filters cannot.
This closes a significant greenwashing loophole, empowers consumers to make genuinely informed purchasing decisions, and holds brands accountable for the environmental claims they profit from.
Californians who care about the ocean deserve to know that the products they choose actually do what the label says. AB 1744 makes that possible.
Urge your representatives to support AB 1744.
