India’s beauty industry just witnessed a breakthrough that’s been years in the making. In a significant advancement of the IN-VIVO test being introduced as the standard. With the testing protocols of sunscreen products finally being formalized the country’s will have its first-ever standardised and transparent approach to evaluating sun protection efficacy.
This introduction of the country’s first formal testing framework for sunscreens, finally puts science at the center of SPF claims. It’s a move that promises greater safety, clarity, and trust for Indian consumers and one that cements India’s place alongside global leaders in beauty regulation.
For Lakmē, this moment isn’t just an industry update, it’s validation. Lakmē has consistently worked with experts and government bodies to shape India’s sunscreen testing regulations for more than 8 years. Our aim is to have greater transparency, rigour, and consistency in sunscreen testing standards to ensure product efficacy & consumer safety. Through collaborations with experts and its own #SPF50Truth100 campaign in Apr’ 25, Lakmē sparked conversations around misleading SPF claims and the science that separates promise from proof.
Today, as India embraces a new standard for sun safety, Lakmē’s leadership feels both inevitable and inspiring; a reminder that true beauty innovation involves integrity, not just invention.
Building on this commitment, Lakmē continues to lead the conversation with its #SPF50Truth100 campaign a consumer education initiative that highlights the importance of credible SPF claims, the science behind sun protection, and the steps consumers can take to ensure effective daily sun care. Through this campaign, Lakmē empowers users to make informed choices rooted in tested protection, encourages transparency in the beauty industry, and reinforces its long-standing leadership in science-led, integrity-driven sun protection
The latest scientific developments in suncare within Indian regulatory frameworks
Sunscreens in India are regulated as cosmetic products under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cosmetic Rules, 2020, with the current standard (BIS 4707 Part 4) listing permitted UV filters and concentration limits. However, the absence of a standardised SPF (Sun Protection Factor) testing method led to varied approaches – ranging from in vivo and in vitro testing to mathematical models, resulting in inconsistent SPF claims and potential consumer safety issues due to overestimated SPF. Recognising this gap, the Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association (IBHA), along with key industry partners including HUL, collaborated with BIS to advocate for the adoption of globally recognised ISO standards. These standards are considered the gold benchmark for substantiating both SPF (UVB Protection) and PA (UVA Protection) claims.
Recently, in a significant advancement for the Indian beauty and personal care industry, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has formalised testing protocols for sunscreen products, marking the country’s first-ever standardised approach to evaluating sun protection efficacy. This is being seen as a significant win for both consumers and manufacturers, ensuring greater transparency, rigour, safety, and consistency in sunscreen claims. The amended Bis standard is now published. Date of implementation is 10th Jan 2026. IS 17494_Cosmetics – sun protection test methods – In vivo determination of sun protection factor (SPF).