FDA Expands OTC Sunscreen Options

First New Active Ingredient Added in 20+ Years

The FDA has added bemotrizinol to the OTC sunscreen monograph—the first new active ingredient permitted since the late 1990s—marking a significant step in modernizing the nonprescription drug framework and accelerating pathways for innovation.

What Happened

The FDA concluded an administrative order to add bemotrizinol as a permitted sunscreen active ingredient.
The ingredient is considered generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) and provides protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.
The ingredient has long been used internationally, including in Europe.
The action was completed through the OTC monograph administrative order process, finalized within approximately seven months following a proposed order issued in December 2025.
The request was initiated by industry (DSM Nutritional Products LLC), highlighting the viability of FDA’s reformed process.

Why It Matters

Proof of a Faster Regulatory Pathway

This is the first clear demonstration that the CARES Act OTC monograph reform is working, enabling relatively rapid additions to the monograph without a full NDA pathway.

Lower Barrier to Market Entry

Companies may market compliant OTC products without premarket approval, provided they meet monograph conditions (e.g., ingredient limits, labeling, intended uses).

Increased Global Alignment

FDA’s acceptance of an ingredient widely used internationally signals greater openness to leveraging non‑U.S. safety data.

Competitive Disruption

The addition of a new active ingredient is likely to spur reformulation, innovation, and price competition across the sunscreen category.

Impact on Industry

OTC Manufacturers: Opportunity to incorporate bemotrizinol into new or reformulated products.

Ingredient Suppliers: Increased demand and clear regulatory pathway for introducing globally used actives into the U.S.

Importers: Heightened need to ensure imported products strictly comply with the updated monograph.

Regulatory/Legal Teams: Increased activity around monograph strategy, submissions, and compliance oversight.

What Companies Should Do Now

Immediate Actions

Evaluate portfolios: Determine whether bemotrizinol fits current or pipeline formulations.

Confirm compliance: Ensure formulations meet monograph conditions (e.g., permitted concentration levels).

Update labeling: Align claims and disclosures with OTC monograph requirements.

Strategic Actions

Consider monograph submissions: Identify additional ingredients or changes suitable for administrative order requests.

Review supply chains: Confirm sourcing, quality systems, and documentation meet FDA expectations.

Enhance compliance readiness: Audit products to mitigate risk of misbranding, adulteration, or import detention.

Garg Law Observations

FDA’s action reflects a broader shift toward:

Faster regulatory decision-making under the monograph system

Increased reliance on global data

Expanded opportunity coupled with strict compliance expectations

Companies that proactively engage with the OTC monograph framework—and align regulatory strategy accordingly—will be best positioned to capitalize on these developments while minimizing enforcement risk.

For more information on the FDA Sunscreen Expansion, compliance with FDA OTC sunscreen requirements, or FDA enforcement matters, please feel free to email us at info@garg-law.com.