I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2587 
To require the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to develop standards for 
a ‘‘Reef Safe’’ label for sunscreen. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 8, 2019 
Ms. GABBARD (for herself and Mr. RYAN) 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 a ‘‘Reef Safe’’ label 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 
2019’’. 
SEC. 2. LABELING CRITERIA FOR ‘‘REEF 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-
velop labeling criteria for a ‘‘Reef Safe’’ designation for 
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nonprescription sunscreen, in consultation with the Ad-
ministrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and 
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric 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, cer-
tain marine species, including fish, fish larvae, 
sea urchins, coral, and shrimp; and 
(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-
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ies on the impacts of active sunscreen ingredi-
ents on living components of coral reef eco-
systems. 
(c) REVIEW
AND REVISION.—Not less frequently 
than once every 10 years, the Secretary, acting through 
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 Environmental Protection Agency, shall— 
(1) review the labeling standards in effect under 
subsection (b)(1); 
(2) if appropriate, revise the criteria under sub-
section (b)(2); and 
(3) in accordance with such criteria, as revised 
under paragraph (2) as applicable, update the label-
ing standards under subsection (b)(1). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
(1) the terms ‘‘active sunscreen ingredient’’, 
‘‘nonprescription’’, and ‘‘sunscreen’’ have the mean-
ings given such terms in section 586 of the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360fff); 
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