Guideline: Australian regulatory guidelines for sunscreens (ARGS)

Under the Therapeutic Goods Act of 1989, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is in charge of regulating sunscreens and their ingredients as therapeutic goods. The Australian Regulatory Guidelines for Sunscreens (ARGS) spell out the rules and regulations for sunscreens and their ingredients.

Sunscreens that are regulated as therapeutic products are referred to as "therapeutic sunscreens" for purposes of the ARGS.

Therapeutic sunscreens include:
1. Primary sunscreens: Products that are used primarily for protection from UV radiation
2. Some secondary sunscreens: Products with a primary purpose other than sun protection, but also contain sunscreening agents and are not excluded from the therapeutic goods legislation

Numerous secondary sunscreen products, such as cosmetic sunscreens, are not regarded therapeutic goods and are therefore 'excluded' from therapeutic goods legislation.