The 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. 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.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. The most important environmental factor in developing skin cancer is exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Consumers are becoming more and more attentive to the health and cosmetic damage that can be done by UV radiation, and children are a particular concern, since their skin has not developed biological defense against UV radiation.

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

With global headquarters in Germany and U.S. offices in Elon, N.C., 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. Hohenstein is a leading provider of Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification, and is certified by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission. For information, visit www.hohenstein.de/en.