SPF and Boots Star Testing: ME-COS LAB Ensures Your Sunscreen Product's Performance
As consumers increasingly focus on the effectiveness of sun protection products, accurate labeling of SPF and UVA protection is not only crucial for building trust but also essential for regulatory compliance and market competitiveness. ME-COS LAB offers internationally compliant SPF and Boots Star UVA protection testing services, helping brands clearly communicate sun protection efficacy and establish consumer confidence.
Our Equipment: UV-2000S Spectrophotometer
At ME-COS LAB, we utilize the industry-leading Labsphere UV-2000S spectrophotometer, specifically designed for in vitro testing of sunscreen products. Key advantages include:
High-precision measurement of SPF, UVA-PF, UVA/UVB ratio, and more
Fast scanning with a stable light source for consistent and reliable results
Fully compliant with COLIPA (now Cosmetics Europe) guidelines and ISO 24443
The UV-2000S is widely accepted in the EU, Asia, and global markets as the professional standard for evaluating sun protection performance.
SPF Testing: Evaluating Sun Protection Factor
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures a product’s ability to protect against UVB radiation, the primary cause of sunburn.
While official SPF values are often obtained through in vivo human testing, in vitro spectral analysis offers valuable insight during product development and formulation stages.
Using the UV-2000S, we measure the transmittance and absorbance of your product across relevant UV wavelengths to estimate protection efficacy and assist in formulation optimization.
Boots Star Rating System: UVA Protection Grade
UVA radiation, though less likely to cause immediate sunburn, is responsible for skin aging, pigmentation, and long-term damage.
The Boots Star Rating system, commonly used in the UK, evaluates the ratio of UVA to UVB protection and assigns a star rating from 0 to 5:
★☆☆☆☆: UVA/UVB ratio < 0.2
★★☆☆☆: 0.2–0.4
★★★☆☆: 0.4–0.6
★★★★☆: 0.6–0.8
★★★★★: ≥ 0.9
Using the UV-2000S, ME-COS LAB captures the full UV absorbance spectrum of your product and calculates the UVA/UVB ratio according to COLIPA and Boots guidelines, delivering reliable, science-based UVA performance ratings.
Why Choose ME-COS LAB?
State-of-the-art UV-2000S equipment compliant with global testing standards
Strict adherence to COLIPA / Cosmetics Europe and ISO 24443 protocols
Comprehensive reports including SPF estimates, UVA/UVB ratio, and Boots Star rating
Fast turnaround times to support product development and regulatory submissions
Our experienced team specializes in sunscreen testing and provides tailored technical support for different markets—including the EU, UK, Asia, and Taiwan.