Pioneering certification developed to help protect coral reefs

What's happened

The world’s coral reefs are under immense threat from climate change and pollution. Chemical pollution around the world is impacting our oceans and aiding in the decline of vital ecosystems such as tropical reefs. Research has indicated that more than 80% of sunscreen brands on the market contribute to coral damage with “reef-safe” sunscreen claims largely unregulated.

However, a pioneering certification, developed by the University of Derby in collaboration with global advertising agency McCann, aims to set an industry gold standard, addressing the issues around chemical pollution globally impacting our oceans and aiding in the decline of vital ecosystems such as tropical coral reefs.

The Reef Protection Factor (RPF) certification helps consumers identify products – including sunscreen, cosmetics and surf wax – that are truly safe for our delicate marine ecosystems.

Awareness of RPF and education about these products is now going global through strategic partnerships in key marine regions including Malaysia and Thailand, with the first product – Stream2Sea’s Coral Care™ sunscreen – achieving gold RPF certification.

How our research has helped

With coral reefs facing mounting threats from climate change, pollution, and tourism, Professor Michael Sweet – a world-leader in marine conservation and coral research in particular – and his team at the Aquatic Research Facility at the University of Derby can now assist consumers in identifying products that are safe for our delicate marine ecosystems.

Professor Sweet said: “Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet, supporting more than 30 per cent of marine life and one billion people worldwide.

“They offer trillions of dollars of ecosystem services from fish to coastal protection and bring with them so many benefits.

“However, if we continue harming the world’s reefs and do not make any substantial changes to our carbon footprint and other stressors associated with reef decline such as pollution, it is reported that 90 per cent of these important ecosystems could be functionally extinct by 2030.

“We are very proud to lead several initiatives that are all aimed at protecting reefs, seagrass meadows and mangroves forests. This includes educating the masses through the likes of children's books, to product testing the world's first sunscreen that nourishes corals instead of causing harm.”

He added: “The Coral Care™ product development by Stream2Sea is testament to how it should be undertaken. A blend of scientific know-how, industrial innovation and marketing prowess, it has already started making waves the world over.”

Independent testing of Coral Care™ at the University of Derby confirmed it as the world’s first sunscreen that not only avoids harming coral reefs, but actively nourishes them. This subsequently led to the need of the aforementioned RPF certification, and there is now hope that this mark will become an industry standard to help consumers make responsible choices.

Professor Sweet added: “We hope global initiatives and regulatory bodies will take this forward, leverage on our success and build a truly independent regulation that can span across the world and truly make a difference in the world of cosmetics and environmental safety.”

Impact

Zero Carbon is one of the University of Derby’s six research themes with the Nature-Based Solutions Research Centre – led by Professor Sweet and his team focused on leading the charge in developing new technologies and solutions in response to the climate crisis. 

Aligned to some of the local and global challenges we face, the University of Derby is committed to delivering research that makes a real-world impact to health, business, education, the environment, communities, arts and culture, and many other areas of society.

The creation of Coral Care by Stream2Sea, with the support from the University of Derby, sets a new standard for the cosmetics industry, along with the introduction of the RPF certification - a game-changing marque in marine conservation. It is hoped that, in the future, all sunscreen brands and cosmetic products will be RPF accredited.

Professor Sweet says: “We cannot expect consumers to change their ways unless an alternative and better option is provided. The creation of Coral Care therefore is more than just a new product and innovative output from our dedicated research team and partners at Stream2Sea and McCann; it is a movement and sets a new standard for the cosmetics industry.”

To be certified with RPF, products would undergo rigorous testing with adult corals and larvae at the University of Derby’s Aquatic Research Facility and other accredited independent testing centres.

Coral health will be monitored over time and in replicated aquarium tanks with multiple metrics employed to track the impact of the cosmetic on reef organisms.

Should any tissue loss occur in any of the corals tested, the product simply will not qualify and will not be branded as truly ‘reef-safe’.

“It is hoped that, in the future, all sunscreen brands and cosmetic products will be not just safe for the environment but may even be positive for our oceans,” adds Professor Sweet.

Find out more about our research at the University of Derby.

Reef Protection Factor: Helping you choose marine-safe products