Ensuring good performance of Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing

First Published: December 2020

Stay protected from UV rays with well-tested clothing

Various studies have identified links between UV (ultraviolet) rays and skin cancers. Furthermore, prolonged direct exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn, premature aging of skin and eye problems.

The primary source of UV rays is the sun. Among it, UVA and UVB are the two types of rays that can pass through the atmosphere and land on us, causing the above mentioned skin problems. In order to protect people from UV damage, various UV protective products have been invented, such as sunglasses, umbrellas and sun creams. Following advances in fabric manufacturing technology, sun protective clothing has become increasingly common.

Sun protective clothing is produced by using fabric that carries UV protection properties. It can be achieved physically – by weaving techniques and fabric structure – or chemically – through the application of UV-inhibiting finishing. This property is measured by Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), which assesses how much UVA and UVB is blocked by the fabric and how much reaches the wearer’s skin. The higher the UPF is, the stronger the protection.

Generally speaking, UPF performance refers to the indication below:

• UPF 15 – 24 refers roughly to 93.3% to 95.8% of UV blocked
  UPF 25 – 39 refers roughly to 96.0% to 97.4% of UV blocked
  UPF 40 – 50 refers roughly to 97.5% to 98.0% of UV blocked

Every spring and summer, UV protective outdoor clothing, accessories (like hats, sleeves and gloves) and equipment (like tents) are very popular with consumers. Some of the most common standards being used to monitor the UPF on these fabrics are:

• Europe: EN 13758-1 and -2
• US: AATCC 183
• Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS 4399

It is important to note that in Europe any garment for professional or private use which claims to provide certain level of UPF protection is regarded as Category 1 Personal Protective Equipment on the basis of the EU Regulation 2016/425. This means that manufacturers, importers and distributors of this kind of products should comply with the applicable provisions on PPE which includes, among other, the CE Marking of the product, specific instructions, Technical Documentation to be drawn up, etc.

Alongside this initial performance assessment, brands and retailers should look into the ageing performance of the products, as UPF protection decreases over time. Such treatments usually include:

• Evaluation after accelerated ageing to sun light
• Evaluation after washing
• Evaluation in wet condition
• Evaluation in stretched condition

How can Eurofins Softlines & Hardlines help?

Our solutions cover standards listed above, providing fast and reliable information on the UV protection performance of fabrics or garments. We also provide testing to evaluate the ageing of these fabrics. This information allows companies to build a better brand image and ensure customer loyalty, as goods will always meet the desired level of quality.

Find out more details about our Performance Testing Services.