Reef Protection Factor: A Gold Standard for Coral-Safe Products

Background: In recent years, the cosmetics industry (particularly the sunscreen sector), has made claims of “reef safe” products without validation, as no standardised verification methods or regulatory oversight currently exist. This has led to false and/or unsubstantiated marketing, which may have resulted in increased or unknown risks to the environment as well as greenwashing products to consumers. Indeed, 48% of products labelled as “reef safe” still contain known coral-toxic compounds. Objectives: Here, we present the Reef Protection Factor (RPF). A standardised three-tiered certification framework with bronze, silver, and gold ratings. RPF allows for the scientific evaluation and designation of a safety level that can be applied to any given cosmetic product indicating the impact it will most likely have on corals and other reef associated invertebrates. Discussion: The RPF evaluation protocol and ranking are transparent and rigorous. The method is practical to implement in the majority of facilities as the testing cost is low. We are hopeful that this will encourage widespread use of the RPF ranking system and ensure that the framework does not favour large multinational conglomerates over smaller, single-product or range-limited companies.