AS/NZS 4399:2017

This Standard is intended to provide information to the consumer on the relative capability of materials and items of clothing to provide protection against solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). This information is provided to the consumer in the form of a labelling scheme based on an objective, reproducible test method. It is applicable to all materials and clothing items seeking to claim an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. Sun-protection offered by synthetic shade cloth, sunscreens, sunglasses and eye protectors is the subject of other Standards.

This Standard sets out procedures for determining the performance of materials and items of clothing that are worn in close proximity to the skin to provide protection against solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The sun protective capability of materials and clothing is described in terms of their UPF, which is based on an objective, reproducible test conducted on the material. This information is provided to the consumer in the form of a labelling scheme.This Standard applies to all materials and items of clothing seeking to claim a UPF rating. All such clothing needs to be designed in a manner that supports the concept of minimal skin exposure. Thus, this Standard specifies the amount of body surface that an item of clothing needs to cover in order to be allowed to make a UPF claim.This Standard excludes sunglasses, sunscreen products for topical application to human skin, materials for architectural or horticultural use such as shade cloth, and items which offer protection at a distance from the skin such as shade structures. It also does not cover protection from UVR from sources other than the sun. Thus, any reference made to UVR in this Standard refers exclusively to solar UVR.NOTES: 1 Requirements for sunscreens are specified in AS/NZS 2604.2 Requirements for sunglasses are given in AS 1067 (series).3 Requirements for shade cloth are given in AS 4174.4 Products such as umbrellas and shade structures which are not in close proximity to the skin will provide a lesser degree of protection than would be indicated by the rating of the material from which the product is made, because of the amount of scattered radiation that could enter from around the edges of the product. The amount of this radiation will vary with the area of the product, and the distance of the product from the body. This Standard is therefore not appropriate for evaluating such items.

First published as AS/NZS 4399:1996.
Second edition 2017.