The Hohenstein Institutes, an Oeko-Tex authorized testing institute for consulting and training, has been accredited and authorized for testing and labelling for the UV Standard 801 for both textiles and accessories.
Today, more and more companies are having the UV protection factor (UPF) of clothing or shade textiles calculated for compliance with UV Standard 801 by one of the authorized international test institutes. Further, a label has been introduced by the International Test Association for Applied UV Protection to inform retailers and consumers about the UPF of the products. This label will supplement the original marking for UV Standard 801, which has been used since 1998 to indicate the UPF rating mainly in clothes.
This internationally recognized testing method takes into account the special demand placed on sun protection textiles during use. When garments are worn, the fabric is stretched, exposed to moisture from perspiration or sea water, and subject to wear and tear, which have an impact of UPF of these materials. In contrast to other methods of measurement, the UV Standard 801 takes these factors into account during lab testing. As a result, it provides more reliable values.
“Usually, polymide or polyester-based fabrics have a natural protection against UVF. In contrast, natural and cellulosic fabrics such as cotton need a special chemical coating to proof them against UVF. We offer tests for the manufacturers who either want a certification of the product for the same, or have a buyer requirement to attach the UV Standard 801 label,” said Jacob Kutty, Country Manager, Hohenstein India. Already companies such as Crate & Barrel are offering their customers special range with this label.