I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4800 
To require the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to develop standards for 
‘‘Reef Safe’’ and ‘‘Ocean Safe’’ labels for sunscreen. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 29, 2021 
Mr. CASE (for himself and Mr. GIMENEZ) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To require the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to develop 
standards for ‘‘Reef Safe’’ and ‘‘Ocean Safe’’ labels for 
sunscreen. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Reef Safe Act of 
2021’’. 
SEC. 2. LABELING CRITERIA FOR ‘‘REEF SAFE’’ AND ‘‘OCEAN 
SAFE’’ SUNSCREEN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable, but not 
later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, shall de-
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velop labeling criteria for ‘‘Reef Safe’’ and ‘‘Ocean Safe’’ 
designations for nonprescription sunscreen, in consulta-
tion with the Administrator of the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency and the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(b) REEF SAFE LABEL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, act-
ing through the Commissioner, shall develop stand-
ards for use of the term ‘‘Reef Safe’’ on the labeling 
of nonprescription sunscreen, which shall conform 
with the requirements of section 502 of the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 352). 
(2) CRITERIA AND CONSULTATION.—In devel-
oping the standards described in paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall— 
(A) consider the impacts of active sun-
screen ingredients on the mortality of, and de-
velopmental or reproductive disruptions to, 
ecologically- or economically-valuable marine 
species, including fish, fish larvae, sea urchins, 
coral, crustaceans, sea grasses, and macroalgae; 
(B) consult with appropriate heads of Fed-
eral agencies, including the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency and the 
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Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration, with respect to stud-
ies on the impacts of active sunscreen ingredi-
ents on living components of coral reef eco-
systems; and 
(C) consider the findings of the National 
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medi-
cine report titled ‘‘Environmental Impact of 
Currently Marketed Sunscreens and Potential 
Human Impacts of Changes in Sunscreen 
Usage’’. 
(c) OCEAN SAFE LABEL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, act-
ing through the Commissioner, shall develop stand-
ards for use of the term ‘‘Ocean Safe’’ on the label-
ing of nonprescription sunscreen, which shall con-
form with the requirements of section 502 of the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 
352). 
(2) CRITERIA AND CONSULTATION.—In devel-
oping the standards described in paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall— 
(A) consider the impacts of active sun-
screen ingredients on the mortality of, and de-
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velopmental or reproductive disruptions to, 
ecologically- or economically-valuable marine 
species, including fish, fish larvae, sea urchins, 
coral, crustaceans, sea grasses, and macroalgae, 
and ecologically- or economically-valuable ma-
rine and coastal ecosystems including estuaries, 
wetlands, tidal marshes, mangroves, kelp for-
ests, seagrass meadows, lagoons, salt marshes, 
and intertidal zones; 
(B) consult with appropriate heads of Fed-
eral agencies, including the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency and the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration, with respect to stud-
ies on the impacts of active sunscreen ingredi-
ents on living components of marine and coastal 
ecosystems; and 
(C) consider the findings of the National 
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medi-
cine report, titled ‘‘Environmental Impacts of 
Currently Marketed Sunscreens and Potential 
Human Impact of Changes in Sunscreen 
Usage’’. 
(d) REVIEW
AND REVISION.—Not less frequently 
than once every 10 years, the Secretary, acting through 
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the Commissioner and in consultation with the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, and taking into consideration scientific 
studies of the Food and Drug Administration, the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, shall— 
(1) review the labeling standards in effect under 
subsections (b)(1) and (c)(1); 
(2) if appropriate, revise the criteria under sub-
sections (b)(2) and (c)(2); and 
(3) in accordance with such criteria, as revised 
under paragraph (2) as applicable, update the label-
ing standards under subsections (b)(1) and (c)(1). 
(e) NON-PREEMPTION.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to prevent a State from establishing, enforc-
ing, or maintaining a requirement with respect to labeling 
criteria for a ‘‘Reef Safe’’ or ‘‘Ocean Safe’’ designation 
for nonprescription sunscreen, provided that any such 
State law is at least as restrictive as the requirements es-
tablished under this section. 
(f) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act 
shall be construed as prohibiting or limiting the sale of 
any sunscreen product. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
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