THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD use the EU presidency to seek agreement for a 0% VAT rate on sunscreen products. 

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in 2020. 

The skin cancer, found on his scalp, was discovered by his brother when he bent down to tie his shoelaces.

Tóibín said he had dismissed it as a scratch, but was later diagnosed after visiting his GP. 

Sunscreen products currently have 23% VAT rate applied to them.

“Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, we are seeing more than 11,000 people diagnosed every year. Nine out of every ten skin cancers are caused by UV exposure, yet the State continues to apply a 23% tax to one of the products most commonly recommended to help reduce that risk,” he said.

The Meath West TD said sunscreen is not a luxury item but is a basic health product that families, outdoor workers, children and older people are encouraged to use by public health authorities.

“The current VAT treatment effectively places a tax on skin cancer prevention,” he added. 

Tóibín said Ireland has successfully argued for changes to EU VAT rules in the past, including the removal of VAT on menstrual products and the introduction of zero-rating for other essential goods such as children’s clothing, oral medicines and solar panels.

“There is no reason why sun protection products should not be afforded similar treatment,” he said. 

Opportunity of the EU Presidency

Over the next six months, when the government hosts the EU presidency, it must build support among member states for a change to the VAT Directive that would allow sunscreen products of SPF30 and above to be zero-rated throughout the European Union, said Tóibín

“At a time when skin cancer diagnoses continue to rise and public health authorities are urging people to protect themselves from harmful UV exposure, governments should be removing barriers to prevention, not increasing them through taxation.”

Calling it a “common-sense approach”, the government has a real opportunity, he said.

Tánaiste Simon Harris has previously told the Dáil that under EU VAT law, there is unfortunately no scope for a reduction in the rate of VAT on sunscreen products, as they are deemed to be classed as a product in the category of cosmetic or toilet preparations. 

While he said there was engagement on this issue with the European Commission in 2023, the commission advised that a reduced rate cannot be applied to sun protection products such as sunscreen.

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