Energizer Personal Care Response to FDA Final Rule for Testing and Labeling of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Sunscreen Products Announced on June 14, 2011

SHELTON, Conn., June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) released a final regulation for testing and labeling of over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen drug products.  For some time, Energizer Personal Care has led the industry by already adopting many of the labeling practices announced by the FDA today.  

The FDA's new rule will require sunscreen manufacturers to include a Drug Facts box, and to use the term "water resistant," instead of the improper "waterproof," or "sweatproof."  Energizer Personal Care currently uses a Drug Facts box on both Banana Boat® brand and Hawaiian Tropic® brand sunscreens; and currently labels its products as "water resistant" as opposed to "waterproof."  Also in its new rule, the FDA set forth new testing requirements to measure a sunscreen product's level of UVA protection, and new ways to communicate that level of protection.  Currently, all of Energizer Personal Care's Banana Boat® and Hawaiian Tropic® brand sunscreen products with SPFs of 15 and higher meet the FDA's testing requirements to provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.  Energizer Personal Care will be adopting the new "Broad Spectrum" labeling format in time to meet the FDA's effective date.

"Both our Banana Boat® and Hawaiian Tropic® brand sunscreen formulas, with SPFs higher than 15 already meet the newly announced FDA requirements  for providing safe and effective UVA and UVB protection, and we will be implementing the new regulations on broad spectrum labeling in a timely manner," said Beth St. Raymond, Marketing Director, Banana Boat® and Hawaiian Tropic®.

The new rules mainly affect the labeling of sunscreens, and will not require a change in Banana Boat® and Hawaiian Tropic® brand sunscreen formulas.  In another new proposed rule, the FDA announced today its proposal to set an SPF limit of 50+.  Energizer Personal Care believes that products with SPFs higher than 50+ provide a benefit to those people with a higher sensitivity to sun damage, and also because generally people do not apply the proper amount of sunscreen.  The FDA also today requested information about the safety and effectiveness of continuous spray sunscreen products.  Energizer Personal Care maintains that continuous spray sunscreens are a safe and effective option for consumers seeking an alternative to lotion sunscreens.

Banana Boat® and Hawaiian Tropic® brand sunscreens are proud partners of The Skin Cancer Foundation, and have both carried the Foundation's Seal of Recommendation for almost two decades. This year, in partnership with The Skin Cancer Foundation, the Banana Boat® brand launched Sun 101, an educational campaign that helps families learn how to best protect themselves from the sun by providing easy to understand information about sun protection. The program informs consumers about the damaging effect of UV rays and how to properly use sunscreen to protect their skin, and encourages families to get "Sun Certified" on the Banana Boat® Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bananaboatbrand) to help raise up to $101,000 for The Skin Cancer Foundation.

"We are pleased that the Final Rule for Testing and Labeling of OTC sunscreen products has been announced by the FDA, and with the awareness it will raise about the importance of sun protection to the prevention of skin cancer," says Perry Robins, M.D., President, The Skin Cancer Foundation. "We are also thrilled to extend our longtime partnership with Energizer Personal Care Sun Care with the Banana Boat® brand Sun 101 campaign. Together, we are dedicated to bringing clear and precise sun education information to consumers who want to protect themselves and their families from the sun."

About The Skin Cancer Foundation

The Skin Cancer Foundation is the only global organization solely devoted to the prevention, detection and treatment of skin cancer.  The mission of the Foundation is to decrease the incidence of skin cancer through public and professional education and research.  For more information, visit www.SkinCancer.org.

About Energizer Personal Care®

A leading manufacturer of health and beauty product around the world, Energizer Personal Care is a division of Energizer Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ENR), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.  Energizer Personal Care markets products in over 100 countries worldwide under the Playtex®, Banana Boat®, Hawaiian Tropic®, Skintimate® and Schick® brands.  Playtex and all other trademarks are licensed or owned by Energizer or its affiliates.

SOURCE Energizer Personal Care