Antigua and Barbuda moves toward ban on reef-harming sunscreens

Antigua and Barbuda is advancing plans to protect its vulnerable marine ecosystems by considering a ban on sunscreen products containing chemicals known to harm coral reefs and marine life.

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The Ministry of Trade has begun a series of stakeholder consultations aimed at developing a World Trade Organization (WTO)-compliant and CARICOM-aligned policy that would prohibit the importation, manufacture, sale, and distribution of sunscreens with reef-toxic ingredients.

The chemicals under review include Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octocrylene, and Octisalate — compounds that research has linked to coral bleaching, endocrine disruption in marine species, and other ecological damage.

Senior Trade Policy Analyst Jomica Carbon said the initiative is intended to balance environmental protection with public health and trade considerations. “This initiative is driven by the urgent need to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s coral reef ecosystems, which are vital to our tourism-dependent economy,” she explained. “It also addresses growing health concerns associated with these chemicals. Our approach draws from international best practices, particularly the successful ban implemented by Palau, which has significantly reduced reef damage.”

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Ambassador Dr. Clarence Pilgrim, said the consultations will assess the trade, consumer, environmental, and health implications of sunscreen products before a final policy is drafted.

“We understand that sunscreen is essential for protecting human skin from ultraviolet radiation and reducing the risk of skin cancer,” Dr. Pilgrim said. “However, the same compounds designed to safeguard people are now being shown to harm corals, algae, and marine life. We must find a responsible balance.”

Citing recent scientific findings, Dr. Pilgrim noted that several organic UV filters used in common sunscreens can accumulate in marine organisms, contributing to coral bleaching and toxicity across the food chain. He emphasized the urgency of the issue, noting that the nation’s economy, culture, and environment are deeply intertwined with the health of its oceans.

“As a Small Island Developing State, our survival depends on healthy reefs,” he said. “The Cabinet has recognized the urgency of this issue and called for decisive policy action. Antigua and Barbuda now has a chance to lead the region in setting environmentally responsible standards.”

The Ministry’s timeline includes consultations from October 2025 to January 2026, followed by a draft policy review between February and March 2026. The final policy is expected to be submitted to Cabinet in April 2026, with implementation targeted for mid-2026, pending Cabinet approval.

If enacted, Antigua and Barbuda would join a growing list of countries — including Palau, Thailand, and the U.S. state of Hawaii — that have banned reef-damaging sunscreen chemicals. The move would also reinforce the country’s commitments under CARICOM and the OECS, while strengthening its reputation as a regional leader in sustainable tourism and marine conservation.