The European Sunlight Association a.s.b.l. (ESA) was established to promote safe, controlled and informed use of sunbeds compliant with the relevant regulative framework. Today ESA is recognised by all stakeholders as the representative European association for and the voice of the European indoor tanning industry representing national indoor tanning associations and leading manufacturers of indoor tanning equipment.
We have taken a very proactive role in ensuring safe and responsible indoor tanning, be it through the European Code of Conduct or through one of our consumer safety-related initiatives. ESA continuously works towards wide scale implementation of the relevant European standards to ensure consumer safety is continuously improved and that consumers receive quality service and informed advice on sunbed use.
Although the industry is already very well regulated thanks to the relevant EU legislation including the Low Voltage Directive, the General Product Safety Directive as well as various national indoor tanning laws, ESA has taken a very proactive role in ensuring safe and responsible indoor tanning. We continuously work towards wide scale implementation of the relevant European standards to ensure consumer safety is continuously improved and that consumers receive quality service and informed advice on sunbed use. In that regard, ESA worked and keeps on cooperating with the European Commission to support a fast adoption and implementation of the 0.3 W/m2 irradiation limit as part of the well-recognized, ‘state-of-the-art’ EN 60335-2-27 technical standard. In addition, we submitted a proposal for further improvements to this technical standard to ensure the highest possible level of consumer safety.
Both indoor and outdoor tanning has been heavily criticized mostly using outdated scientific findings and completely disregarding benefits of moderate sunbed use or outdoor exposure to sunlight. UV radiation has been known as the primary source of vitamin D and other mediators needed for good health. With that in mind, more recently, researchers have called for immediate revision of public health recommendations as it has been noted that “nonburning UV exposure is a health benefit and — in moderation — should be recommended as such”.
We as an industry welcome open discussions, initiatives and exchange of information with all the stakeholders, experts and responsible institutions to make sure true and most up-to-date findings and scientific facts on UV radiation and sunbed use are made available to the public and consumers. ESA looks forward to maintaining constructive dialogue with the EU and Member State national authorities on shaping policies, standards and ensuring effective implementation.
