Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced that the bipartisan Sunscreen Innovation Act, which would ensure sunscreen ingredients receive a timely and transparent review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was approved by the United States Senate. Senator McConnell is an original co-sponsor of the bill. The House bill sponsored by Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01) passed earlier this year.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the country, and a known contributor to developing skin cancer is over exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.  Despite this public health threat, for more than a decade the FDA has failed to review new sunscreen ingredient applications that include technologies more capable of protecting skin against harmful UVA rays.  These same technologies in pending U.S. sunscreen ingredient applications are available in Europe and other countries overseas, and in some cases have been for more than 15 years. 

Ashland Inc., a global specialty chemical company with a facility in Calvert City, manufactures precursor ingredients for these innovative sunscreens, and the cosmetics and beauty company, L’Oréal, has a finished product manufacturing facility in Florence. L’Oréal has two sunscreen ingredients pending approval, but they have been held up by the backlog at FDA.

“This legislation will not only benefit Kentucky workers that manufacture these innovative sunscreen ingredients at facilities in Calvert City and Florence, but it has the potential to provide greater protections for American families looking forward to spending some time outdoors but are worried about the harmful UVA rays,” said Senator McConnell.

“As a proud Kentucky employer and pioneer in sunscreen innovation since L'Oreal's founder invented the first sunscreen in 1936, L’Oreal USA commends Senator McConnell and his colleagues in the U.S. Senate for its bipartisan passage of the Sunscreen Innovation Act, S. 2141.  L’Oreal USA has always been committed to giving American consumers access to a broad range of products to meet their sun protection needs, and the passage of this legislation puts American consumers one step closer to the latest sunscreen technology,” said Kristina Schake, Chief Communications Officer of L’Oreal USA.

"Ashland appreciates the prompt response and strong support provided by Senator McConnell for this important legislation,” said John Riley, Ashland director of government relations.