21/04/2022
DLCA IS ENFORCING SUNSCREEN LAW
TO PROTECT MARINE ECOSYSTEM, INCLUDING CORAL REEFS AND ITS INHABITANTS ON EARTH DAY
U.S. Virgin Islands – On Friday, April 22, 2022, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) Enforcement Division will kick-off a territorial island sweep called “Operation Illegal Sunscreen” to educate before we regulate businesses on Act No. 8185 signed into law by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on July 20, 2019.
Act No. 8185 bans the retail sale or offer for sale and the distribution and importation for retail purposes of topical sunscreen products containing oxybenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate. “Unfortunately, there is still a proliferation of this illegal product throughout the USVI that enters either via the retail market or by our visitors” stated Commissioner Evangelista. “DLCA finds it necessary to educate first to as many persons as possible by as many mediums as possible about the prohibition of sunscreen containing the banned products.”
Any person or entity found to have violated this law, may receive a $1,000 citation for the first offense and a $2,000 one for each subsequent offense by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs after notice and an opportunity for a hearing.
Businesses or persons with questions and/or concerns regarding Act No. 8185 may contact the Office of the Commissioner at 340.713.3522 or 340.725.5129 via mobile. Consumers may also email us at [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook .
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure, and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government, and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov
