The maximum SPF factor suncream that is generally available for sale in Australia is SPF30+
From the following I would assume that the SPF30+ would give over 96% UVR block protection.
Sunscreens sold in Australia must be labeled with an SPF rating of at least 4, up to a maximum of 30+.
Sunscreens of less than SPF 15 offer only moderate to low protection
Use of sunscreens with a higher SPF rating than SPF 30+ is not generally recommended, as they may not provide much greater protection but require an increased amount of active chemicals which may irritate some sensitive skins.
- SPF4 = 75 % UVR blocked
- SPF8 = 87 % UVR blocked
- SPF15 = 93 % UVR blocked
- SPF30 = 96 % UVR blocked
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
European Commission system for SPF labelling
Details from: www.colipa.eu/the-european-commission-recommendation-on-the-efficacy-of-sunscreen-products.html
| European Commission system for SPF labelling | |
| Labelled category | Labelled sun protection factor (SPF) |
| Low protection | 6 10 |
| Medium protection | 15 20 25 |
| High protection | 30 50 |
| Very High protection | 50+ |
European Information
A product with sun protection factor 15 absorbs 93 % of UVB radiation, and a product with sun protection factor 30 absorbs 97 % of UVB radiation. Finally, sun protection factors above 50 do not substantially increase the protection from UV radiation. Therefore, the range of labelled sun protection factors can be made smaller without reducing the choice of different strengths for the consumer.
Official Journal of the European Union, on the efficacy of sunscreen products and the claims made relating thereto (notified under document number C(2006) 4089)
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:265:0039:0043:EN:PDF
The SPF number relates to:
a UVB protection of sun protection factor 6 as obtained in application of the International Sun Protection Factor Test Method (2006) or an equivalent degree of protection obtained with any in vitro method;