The Lake Safe Standard is a precautionary, Swiss-led framework that defines what sunscreen should mean when used near lakes, rivers, and shared water environments.

No. Lake Safe is not a law, ban, or government regulation.
It is a voluntary standard designed to support education, transparency, and better decision-making.

Lake Safe is an initiative led by PURU Suisse GmbH, and its founder Sylvain Horwood , developed to address real-world sunscreen use in shared water environments through education rather than enforcement.

Freshwater environments are often enclosed or semi-enclosed systems. Substances introduced near shorelines and swimmers can accumulate more easily than in open oceans.

No. Lake Safe fully supports safe sun protection.
The standard is about how sunscreen is chosen and used in shared waters, not eliminating sunscreen.

It means prioritising simpler, more conservative choices when scientific certainty is incomplete, especially in shared environments.

The standard focuses on:

• Minimal and necessary ingredients
• Non-nano mineral UV filters
• Suitability for shared freshwater use
• Practical adoption without compromising protection

No. Lake Safe does not currently operate as a certification body.
It provides clear criteria that products, facilities, and consumers can reference.

Not right now. Brands may align with or reference the Lake Safe criteria, but the standard itself remains the reference point. If you are a brand, that wishes to partner with us, you can contact us.

Non-nano zinc oxide is the most precautionary mineral UV filter currently permitted for SPF use and is widely understood and studied.

Lake Safe does not ban ingredients.
It defines a conservative reference framework prioritising mineral UV filters for shared freshwater use.

No. Protection depends on formulation quality, not ingredient quantity.
The standard supports effective protection with fewer, well-understood ingredients.

Some modern Non-nano mineral formulations can now provide effective protection, without visible whitening. Lake Safe recognises this as key to adoption.

Lake Safe is relevant for:

• Swimmers and families
• Public swimming areas and Badis
• Hotels, resorts, and spas with shared water facilities
• Retailers and brands near freshwater

Yes. Lake Safe is designed to be easy to reference, display, and communicate without enforcement or policing.

No. The standard supports guidance and education — not bans.

Public and private facilities can:

• Provide guidance to guests
• Offer Lake Safe-aligned products
• Display educational materials
• Reference the standard publicly

Bans are difficult to enforce, especially in tourist and public settings.
Education and visible choice are more effective and scalable.

No. Lake Safe complements existing public health and environmental guidance. It does not replace sunscreen advice from health authorities.

Because people make better decisions when information is clear, visible, and practical. Education empowers choice.

Lake Safe Packs are practical bundles designed to help facilities and individuals adopt the standard easily and visibly.

No. Packs are optional tools that support adoption, not a requirement of the standard.

PURU provides a reference implementation aligned with the Lake Safe criteria.
The standard itself remains independent of any single product.

Yes. As research, formulations, and real-world use evolve, the standard can be refined.

Yes. Lake Safe is open and designed to be referenced by any brand or facility that meets its criteria. Usage of our logo, artwork and emblem are restricted and require permission to use, so please contact us if you want to use any of them.