Company News - Alba Science Invests in Pro-Lite's UV-2000S

Alba Science Sunscreen Testing

August 2010: Pro-Lite has supplied a Labsphere UV-2000S sunscreen analyser to Edinburgh-based Alba Science Ltd. Alba's investment in the latest equipment for in-vitro testing of sun care products means that the company is one of the first independent Contract Research Organisations to be able to offer measurements which are fully compliant with the EU Guidelines, the Boots Star Rating System (2008 Revision) and the proposed FDA method.

Over the last few years, there have been some important changes to the standards that apply to the testing of sun care products. Sun protection products have long protected against sunlight-induced erythema with the level of performance indicated by the sun protection factor (SPF). Since the SPF is influenced primarily by UVB wavelengths, it is no longer considered a sufficient indicator of a sunscreen product’s protection against UVA exposure (COLIPA guidelines, June 2009). Consequently, many sunscreens will need to be tested to comply with the new regulations.

Alba Science’s new range of sun care product testing services adhere to the COLIPA Guideline method for the in vitro determination of UVA protection and are fully compliant with EU Guidelines, the Boots Star Rating System (2008 Revision) and proposed FDA methods. Alba’s photobiology team has considerable expertise and experience in sun care product testing and this is reinforced by the purchase of the state-of-the-art Labsphere UV 2000S sunscreen analyser and an Atlas CPS+ solar simulator. These items of equipment together allow Alba Science to conduct methods of sun care product testing which yield highly reliable and repeatable results, offering the highest levels of assurance for their clients.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Marie Reynolds, Technical Director, Alba Science Ltd, 24 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3RH, United Kingdom.

Tel: +44 (0)131 556 8715
Email: marie.reynolds@albascience.com
Web: www.albascience.com