Sunscreen SPF & UVA Testing

Back up the SPF, PA rating, broad-spectrum and water-resistant claims on your sunscreen with tests to the ISO methods regulators and retailers accept.

4.9/5Rated by 28 clients

How Sunscreen SPF & UVA Testing works

1Assessment of requirement
2Sample collection
3Right lab assigned
4Testing
5Test report

Each step explained

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Overview of Sunscreen SPF & UVA Testing

Tested by: NABL-accredited partner lab
Regulation: ISO 24444 & ISO 24443
Typical turnaround: 3–5 weeks
Sample needed: 3–5 units of the final product

The sun protection factor (SPF) is measured on human volunteers under ISO 24444: a standard amount of product is applied, the skin is exposed to a controlled UV dose, and the reddening compared with unprotected skin. UVA protection, which drives the PA rating and broad-spectrum claims, is measured in vitro under ISO 24443.

Sunscreens are cosmetics in India, regulated under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, and the claims on the label must be supported by evidence. With SPF products now common in moisturisers, foundations and lip balms, brands test each formula rather than relying on the supplier’s data for the UV filters, because the base formula affects the result.

What we do for you

Lab and parameter list chosen for your purpose: licence, export, buyer or internal QC
Sampling guidance, and pickup or on-site sampling where needed
One contact who follows up with the lab until the report is issued
Report explained in plain language, with next steps if a result fails

What to send

The lab confirms the exact quantity and packing for your product when we book the test.

Sample

Quantity: 3–5 units of the final product
Sealed and labelled with the product name, batch number and date
Packed so that it cannot leak or be contaminated in transit

Details to share

Product name and ingredient list (INCI)
Label and the claims you plan to make
Markets where the product will be sold
Cosmetic licence or import registration number, if any

How we handle Sunscreen SPF & UVA Testing

1
Assessment of requirement
We confirm the standard, the list of tests and how many samples your product needs.
2
Sample collection
We collect the samples from your factory or warehouse, or tell you exactly where to send them.
3
Right lab assigned
We choose an accredited lab (NABL, BIS-recognised or ILAC) that covers your standard and can start soonest.
4
Testing
The lab tests your samples against the standard. We follow up and tell you at once if a test fails.
5
Test report
You receive the signed test report, ready to use for BIS, WPC, CE or your buyer.

What the lab tests

Parameter	Why it is checked
SPF in vivo (ISO 24444)	Volunteer test for the declared SPF
UVA protection factor (ISO 24443)	In-vitro test for UVA and PA rating
Critical wavelength	Broad-spectrum claim
Water resistance	SPF after water immersion
UV filter assay	Each filter within the permitted maximum
Photostability	Protection after UV exposure

The final list depends on your product, its standard and the purpose of testing. We confirm it with you before the sample goes to the lab.

Frequently asked questions

Why must SPF be tested on volunteers?

SPF is defined by how skin responds to UV, so the reference method uses volunteers under ethics approval. In-vitro SPF methods exist and are useful for screening formulas during development.

Can the report support CDSCO files and label claims?

Yes. Reports from NABL-accredited labs are used in cosmetic licence and import registration files, and as evidence for the claims on your label. We confirm what your application or retailer asks for before testing.

Who carries out the testing?

Instacertify’s partner laboratories, accredited by NABL to ISO/IEC 17025 for the parameters on your report. We choose the lab, arrange the sample, follow up until the report is issued and explain the results to you.

What our clients say

“Instacertify helped us get BIS CRS certification for our entire product range within just 6 weeks. Their team handled everything from documentation to lab coordination. Highly professional service.”

Akash GuptaBIS CRS · Electronics brand

“They handled complete certification for us, from ISO 9001 to BIS for PVC cables and plugs. Thorough, professional and always available — they knew what needed to be done and when.”

Shivank VishnoiISO 9001 & BIS · Cables

“Getting TEC approvals for our access-control products seemed confusing and complex, but Instacertify made it simple.”

Jiten ShahTEC approval · Access control

Not sure which certification you need?

Send us the product name and the countries you sell in. A specialist replies with the standards that apply, the documents to prepare, the lab cost and the timeline. The assessment is free.

The list of approvals comes to you in writing
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Testing, certification and registrations handled by one team

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