UV TESTING
UV protection. UV rays can be very harmful! And, since we’re all outdoor athletes of some kind, we’re constantly exposed to varying weather conditions and UV rays of varying intensities.
Since our skin is unable to provide enough protection against the sun over long periods and you’re probably not planning on cycling around, climbing mountains or kayaking with a parasol at the ready, your clothing is the only thing left to protect you from harmful UV rays. Unfortunately, most of the textiles the outdoor industry brings to market don’t provide effective protection. And since you presumably won’t be able to simply look at a garment and say whether or not you’ll get the necessary UV protection, we’re here to give you all the important info on the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), UV Index as well as the standards and the corresponding testing procedures for textiles.
The type of fabric
For a start, you should know what fabric is capable of giving you effective protection. Both synthetic fibres as well as Bamboo , cotton and wool garments can protect you from UV rays. Special UV protection clothing can even absorb up to 98% of all UV rays.
Factoring in the Ultraviolet Protection Factor
External conditions, elevation, time of day and time of year all have an effect on UV rays
As a general rule, we can say that with every 1000 metres increase in altitude, UV levels increase by about 10-12%. Plus, snow, water and sand all reflect sunlight and UV radiation to a certain extent. Where you are at what time of year and at what time of day all play a significant role as well. This can all be wrapped up by the term UV Index. This is an international standard measurement of the ultraviolet radiation levels on a 1-11+ scale that determines the appropriate Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) depending on your skin type.
As you’ve probably already gathered, UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, the term manufacturers use for their sun-protective clothing. The UPF is indicated on a scale of 0-80. A fabric with a UPF 50 rating means that only 1/50th of the UV radiation will go through it, thereby reducing the skin’s exposure to UV radiation by 50 times.
Another example: If you have light skin, the time you can spend out in the sun at the top of a mountain (naked) without damaging your skin is 10 minutes. With a full-body costume that boasts a UPF 50 rating, the time would increase by 50 times that. The result: You can expose yourself to the blazing sun for 490 minutes longer. Great! But is it really that simple? Yes it is, provided that the tests were carried out “properly”!
What is tested and whose is the most reliable?
Dry Legging / Trouser – Climbing trousers provide UV protection with a UPF 50+ rating
The Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) can be determined in several different ways. However, you have to keep in mind that clothing, and sun-protective clothing in particular, is exposed to constant wear and extreme weather conditions. And, this can cause textiles to lose the better part of their original protection factor! Another thing you should consider is the fact that the intensity of the sun’s rays greatly depends on where you are.
This is why the textile industry has different standards that reveal – at least to a certain extent – what the sun protection factor of your new garment is. In the following, we’re going to talk about what kind of standards there are and how reliable they are:
The European Standard EN 13758-1
The tests are carried out on new textiles, that is, in the condition they were when they came from the manufacturer. This means that the wear that comes with washing and wearing the garment is not taken into consideration in these tests, which is honestly not that helpful for us outdoor enthusiasts!
The Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 43999:1996
This standard is based on the sun spectrum in Melbourne , since the radiation intensity in the northern hemisphere is different from that in Australia. The measurements are carried out only on ‘as new’ textiles, so many important factors are not taken into consideration. For this reason, it’s not really a reliable criterion for you to base a decision on.
The UV Standard 801
You’re probably thinking: “There must be some reliable standard out there!” Well, you’re in luck: the UV Standard 801. Who would’ve thought? Take the maximum radiation intensity, that is the sun spectrum at the height of the Australian summer, simulate usage conditions by washing the garment and using a certain method to stretch it out. Then, the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of a garment that is wet during the measurement can be determined. A garment that complies with the standard gets its very own hang tag that reliably states how high the UPF rating is.
Sun-protective clothing provides reliable protection
In other words: The fact that sun protection is crucial for reducing the risk of skin disease is nothing new under the sun (pun intended). Special sun-protective clothing can provide reliable protection, provided that the measurement is reliable as well. So, if you’re planning a trip to a place where you’ll be exposed to a lot of sunlight, this is something you should really consider buying. And, as always, the price should not be the determining factor when choosing between one garment and another. Instead, the UV Standard 801 should be!
offers a large selection of children’s clothes that comply with the UV Standard 801.
The European standard provides sufficient guidance for our latitudes and the corresponding sunlight. However, it should be taken into account that the UV protection applies to new textiles!
Lightweight Sun Protection Baby Clothes for Summer - UPF 50+ Sun Protection
Lightweight UPF 50+ baby sun protection clothing is a "must" for those sunny and warm summer months. Baby skin is particularly sensitive to the sun's cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays - and a bad sunburn in childhood can lead directly to skin cancer later in life. Keeping a baby protected from the sun is a big deal. Shedo Lane offers a fantastic line of lightweight sun-protective clothes that are just perfect for babies.
Baby sun protection clothing
Our incredibly popular UPF 50+ short sleeve and long sleeve onesies, poncho, blanket, hat, long sleeve rompers, and baby joggers make a great addition to any baby wardrobe. Our sun protective fabric has the highest rated UPF 50+ sun protection, for the easiest all day sun coverage. Our entire line of sun protection clothing is perfect for a morning stroll at the farmer's market, a day out at the park, that first beach vacation - wherever! Have peace of mind knowing your baby is protected from the sun's harmful rays - even when you are not thinking about it.
Of course, be sure to add a baby sun protection hat to complete the outfit.
Summer is going to be hot! Be sure to keep your favorite little one protected when outside with UPF 50+ Clothing baby lightweight sun-protective clothing - all day, every day!
Revision of AS 4399 Sun Protective Clothing - Evaluation & Classification
Standards Australia has released a revision to the Australian and New Zealand standard for sun protective clothing, AS 4399 Sun protective clothing - Evaluation and classification.
As some of the changes in the revised standard may impact manufacturers of sun protective clothing. The information presented here is only a brief summary of the changes in the standard, and manufacturers are advised to familiarise themselves with the information about body coverage, Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) claims and labelling in the revised standard.
The objective of the standard is stated as: “This Standard is intended to provide guidance regarding the information communicated to the consumer on UPF labels and/or swing tags about the relative sun protective capability of material and items of clothing. This information is intended to assist the consumer in the selection of those items which best suit their need for sun protection. This Standard also specifies the minimum level of body coverage that an item of clothing needs to achieve in order to legitimately display or claim an UPF rating.”
Major changes the standard is:
Update on body coverage requirements for clothing
The main change to the body coverage requirements is around the removal of women’s one-piece swimsuit exemption. Women’s one-piece swimsuits may no longer be promoted as being sun protective unless they meet the body coverage requirements.
There was also clarification on UPF claims and labelling of all-in-one clothing that does not fully cover both the upper and lower body coverage requirements. Exceptions for all-in-one clothing, provided the body coverage meets at least all of the upper body or all of the lower body coverage requirements, are permitted to make UPF claims. Specific labelling is required for these products.
Clarification on minimum requirements for hats
The revised standard clarifies the minimum brim dimensions for the three types of hats which are considered sun protective – bucket hats, legionnaire hats and broad-brimmed hats. There is allowance for alternative types of hats which fulfil certain protection requirements. Caps and sun visors are still excluded.
Revised UPF classification system
The UPF classification system has been modified to remove the “effective ultraviolet radiation (UVR) penetration” column, and the word “protection” is to be added after the classification of minimum, good and excellent.
The standard now provides clearer guidance on labelling, including additional labelling for items not meeting the minimum body coverage requirements.
What is ARPANSA doing?
We test the UPF rating of the fabric, however it is up to the manufacturers/suppliers to determine whether garments, hats and accessories comply with the additional requirements of this standard.
ARPANSA will continue to issue the current style of swing tags until our UPF test reports have been revised and new tags have been designed and are available.
Link: https://www.arpansa.gov.au