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Elon, NC- April 16, 2009— Hohenstein Institute offers manufacturers of outdoor clothing,  window fashions, and shade structure fabrics 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. Hohenstein’s 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. In 2005, the most recent year for which data are available, the CDC reported that more than 53,000 people were diagnosed with skin cancer and more than 8,000 died from skin cancer. The most important environmental factor in developing skin cancer is exposure to the sun’s UV rays. The CDC recommends seeking out shade, covering up, and using sunscreen as actions to reduce UV ray exposure and its consequences. 

In response to growing consumer concerns, outdoor apparel, window fashions, and shadestructure manufacturers 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. 

“People— especially parents— concerned about sun exposure will appreciate products that quantify the expected protection benefits,” says Moore. “UV performance ratings are an easy-to-use tool that manufacturers can offer to help consumers select the best products for their needs.” 

Dr. Jan Beringer, Director of the Department of Textile Services and Innovations at Hohenstein Institute, will present a seminar on UV Protective Textiles at TechTextil North America Symposium 2009 in the afternoon session on Tuesday, April 21. TechTextil North America Symposium 2009 will be held in Las Vegas, April 21-23. For more information, visit www.techtextilna.com and click on “Symposium Information”.

The UV Standard 801 was developed in 1998 by the International Test Association for Applied UV Protection and was originally applied primarily to clothing products. Additional test development expanded the standard’s application to window treatment and shade structure textiles. The UV Standard 801 requires that sun protection textiles be tested under stringent wear/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 wash as well as after simulated wear and use over time. Shading fabrics are also tested after weathering. UV performance (UPF) ratings are then determined and range from 0-80. The higher ratings indicate better protection. A UPF of 80 means the product is certified to protect adults and children with the most sensitive skin Type I during all day sun exposure. www.UVstandard801.com. 

With global headquarters in Boennigheim, Germany and U.S offices in Elon, NC, the Hohenstein Institute offers state-of-the-art product development and testing for textile products such as clothing, home textiles, upholstery, protective apparel and equipment, and medical textiles. They provide materials testing and certification for textile safety, UV protection, antimicrobial effectiveness, FR performance, and many other technical features. Comparative and competitive product testing services are also available. Hohenstein is a leading provider of the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification, the international standard for safe textiles, and is certified by the U. S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC ID #1058) as a third-party, independent laboratory for CPSIA compliance verification.

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