Hohenstein offers UV protection assurance
22/04/2009
Hohenstein Institute has announced that it can offer manufacturers of outdoor clothing and fabrics for shade structures the assurance that their UV (ultraviolet ray) protection products perform as specified against the UV Standard 801, the most stringent UV certification process in the textile industry.
The institute has said that its test methodology exposes test fabrics to intense environmental factors and evaluates performance before and after wash and during simulated use over time. Certified products earn an ultraviolet radiation protection factor grade or UPF rating that can be used to communicate expected product performance to consumers.
“People in the US are becoming more and more attentive to the health and cosmetic damage that can be done by UV radiation,” says Sam Moore, who heads Hohenstein America Inc. “Children are a particular concern since their skin has not fully developed biological defenses against UV radiation. As a result, products that protect from the sun’s rays are gaining in popularity. Certified UV protection is an important part of effectively marketing these products to concerned consumers.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. The most important environmental factor in developing skin cancer is exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
In response to growing consumer concerns, more and more outdoor apparel companies are adding UV protection benefits to their products. Product performance testing through Hohenstein Institute gives marketers an objective, reliable, third-party certification to enhance the value of their products with consumers as well as to differentiate them from competitive offerings.
Sam Moore added: “People, especially parents, concerned about sun exposure will appreciate products that quantify the expected protection benefits. UV performance ratings are an easy-to-use tool that manufacturers can offer to help consumers select the best products for their needs.”
UV Standard 801 was developed in 1998 by the International Test Association for Applied UV Protection and was originally applied primarily to clothing products. It requires that sun protection textiles be tested under stringent use conditions. The test fabric is exposed to the most intense solar spectrum, the equivalent of summer in Australia. The fabric is tested in a stretched state and again after washing as well as after simulated wear and use over time. UV performance (UPF) ratings are then determined and range from 0-80. A higher rating indicates better protection. A UPF of 80 means the product is certified to protect adults and children with the most sensitive skin during all-day sun exposure.
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