ASTM D6603-10

Standard Guide for Labeling of UV-Protective Textiles

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide to labeling provides a uniform system of labeling on UV-protective textiles that informs consumers about the amount of UV-protection provided.
UV-protective textiles labeled according to this standard will permit consumers to compare the amount of protection provided by various textiles and purchase the product that best meets their sun protection needs.  
UV-labeling is in addition to other required labeling of garments including Permanent Care Labels and fiber content (composition) labels.
Manufacturers are encouraged to provide information to consumers that aids in selecting products that provide the amount of UV-protection desired.
UV-protective textiles labeled according to this standard guide will be labeled with a UPF value. AATCC Test Method 183 must be used to determine the mean UPF values of unprepared specimens, of specimens prepared using Practice D6544 (prepared-for-testing specimens), and of specimens taken from garments labeled, “Wash once before wearing,” these specimens being taken after the garment is laundered once according to label directions. The latter specimens are referred to as laundered-once specimens in this document. A label UPF will be calculated for the various types of specimens following directions provided in this document. Usually, the value to be placed on the product label will be the label UPF calculated for the prepared-for-testing specimens or the label UPF calculated for the unprepared specimens, whichever is the lower value. In the case of products to be labeled, “Wash once before wearing,” or similar wording, the UPF value to be placed on the product label will be either the UPF calculated for the prepared-for-testing specimens or the laundered-once specimens, whichever value is the lower one.
4.5.1 Discussion—The UPF value to be placed on a garment label needs to be the lowest protection value expected during consumer use over a two-year period. Usually, this UPF value will be that obtained for the prep...
SCOPE
1.1 This standard describes labeling requirements for textile products intended for the protection of humans from UVA and UVB radiation.  
1.2 This standard is not intended to be used for the labeling of medical-device sun protective fabrics and clothing whose labeling is specified in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Draft Guidance for the Preparation of a Premarket Notification document.
1.3 The label requirements are in addition to those required by the Care Labeling Rule and fiber content (composition) labeling acts (Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939, and The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act).  
1.4 This document contains terminology to be used in the labeling of UV-protective textiles.  
1.5 Labeling recommended in this guide will be based on UV protection data collected by instrumental methods.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2010
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.65 - UV Protective Fabrics and Clothing

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6603-07 - Standard Guide for Labeling of UV-Protective Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Replaced By: ASTM D6603-11 - Standard Guide for Labeling of UV-Protective Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D6544-21 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Textiles Prior to Ultraviolet (UV) Transmission Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D6603–10
Standard Guide for
1
Labeling of UV-Protective Textiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6603; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
4
1. Scope Fiber Products Identification Act
15 U.S.C., Chapter 2, Subchapter III, et. seq., Wool Prod-
1.1 This standard describes labeling requirements for textile
4
ucts Labeling Act of 1939
products intended for the protection of humans from UVAand
16 C.F.R. Part 300, Rules and Regulations Under the Wool
UVB radiation.
4
Products Identification Act
1.2 This standard is not intended to be used for the labeling
16 C.F.R Part 423, Care Labeling of Wearing Apparel and
of medical-device sun protective fabrics and clothing whose
4
Certain Piece Goods
labeling is specified in the U.S. Food and Drug Administra-
AS/NZS4399:1996, Australian/NewZealandStandardSun
tion’s Draft Guidance for the Preparation of a Premarket
4
Protective Clothing – Evaluation and Classification
Notification document.
FDA Office of Device Evaluation, Draft Guidance for the
1.3 The label requirements are in addition to those required
Preparation of a Premarket Notification (510(K)) Submis-
by the Care Labeling Rule and fiber content (composition)
5
sion for Sun Protective Clothing, August 10, 1994
labeling acts (Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939, and The
Textile Fiber Products Identification Act).
3. Terminology
1.4 This document contains terminology to be used in the
3.1 For definitions of terms relating to UV protective
labeling of UV-protective textiles.
Textiles refer to Terminology D123.
1.5 Labeling recommended in this guide will be based on
3.2 The following terms are relevant to this standard: UV
UV protection data collected by instrumental methods.
protective textile, ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), and UV
2. Referenced Documents protection categories.
2
3.3 For definition of other terms related to textiles, refer to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Terminology D123.
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D6544 Practice for Preparation of Textiles Prior to Ultra-
4. Significance and Use
violet (UV) Transmission Testing
4.1 This guide to labeling provides a uniform system of
2.2 AATCC Standards:
labeling on UV-protective textiles that informs consumers
183 Transmittance or Blocking of Erythemally Weighted
3 about the amount of UV-protection provided.
Ultraviolet Radiation through Fabrics
4.2 UV-protective textiles labeled according to this standard
2.3 Other Standards:
will permit consumers to compare the amount of protection
15 U.S.C., Chapter 2, Subchapter V, The Textile Fiber
4 provided by various textiles and purchase the product that best
Products Identification Act
meets their sun protection needs.
16C.F.R.Part303, RulesandRegulationsUndertheTextile
4.3 UV-labeling is in addition to other required labeling of
garments including Permanent Care Labels and fiber content
1 (composition) labels.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.65 on UV Protective Fabrics and 4.4 Manufacturers are encouraged to provide information to
Clothing.
consumers that aids in selecting products that provide the
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2010.PublishedJuly2010.Originallyapproved
amount of UV-protection desired.
in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D6603–07. DOI: 10.1520/
4.5 UV-protective textiles labeled according to this standard
D6603-10.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
guide will be labeled with a UPF value. AATCC Test Method
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
183 must be used to determine the mean UPF values of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
unprepared specimens, of specimens prepared using Practice
the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
(AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http://
www.aatcc.org.
4 5
AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments, Available from Standards Australia, 1 the Crescent, Homebush NSW 2140
732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http:// Australia and Standards New Zealand, Level 10, Standards House, 155TheTerrace,
www.access.gpo.gov. Wellington 0001, New Zealand.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D6603–10
D6544 (prepared-for-testing specimens), and of specimens dry specim
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D6603–07 Designation:D6603–10
Standard Guide for
1
Labeling of UV-Protective Textiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6603; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 ThisstandarddescribeslabelingrequirementsfortextileproductsintendedfortheprotectionofhumansfromUVAandUVB
radiation.
1.2 Thisstandardisnotintendedtobeusedforthelabelingofmedical-devicesunprotectivefabricsandclothingwhoselabeling
is specified in the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration’s Draft Guidance for the Preparation of a Premarket Notification document.
1.3 The label requirements are in addition to those required by the Care Labeling Rule and fiber content (composition) labeling
acts (Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939, and The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act).
1.4 This document contains terminology to be used in the labeling of UV-protective textiles.
1.5 Labeling recommended in this guide will be based on UV protection data collected by instrumental methods.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D6544 Practice for Preparation of Textiles Prior to Ultraviolet (UV) Transmission Testing
2.2 AATCC Standards:
3
183 Transmittance or Blocking of Erythemally Weighted Ultraviolet Radiation through Fabrics
2.3 Other Standards:
4
15 U.S.C., Chapter 2, Subchapter V, The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act
4
16 C.F.R. Part 303, Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act
4
15 U.S.C., Chapter 2, Subchapter III, et. seq., Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939
4
16 C.F.R. Part 300, Rules and Regulations Under the Wool Products Identification Act
4
16 C.F.R Part 423, Care Labeling of Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods
4
AS/NZS 4399: 1996, Australian/New Zealand Standard Sun Protective Clothing -– Evaluation and Classification
FDAOffice of DeviceEvaluation,DraftGuidanceforthePreparationofaPremarketNotification(510(K))SubmissionforSun
5
Protective Clothing, August 10, 1994
3. Terminology
3.1Definitions:
3.1.1UV-protective textile, n—any textile product that claims to protect consumers from ultraviolet (UV) light, claims to reduce
the risk of skin injury associated with UV exposure, and/or uses a graduated rating system that quantifies the amount of UV
protection afforded.
3.1.1.1Discussion—UV-protective textiles include various articles of wearing apparel, accessories such as hats and shoes, shade
devices such as umbrellas, awnings, and baby-carrier covers, and the fabric/materials used to produce these items.
3.1.1.2Discussion—UV-protective textiles are sometimes referred to as sun-protective textiles.
3.1.2ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), n—the ratio of the average effective ultraviolet radiation (UV-R) irradiance transmitted
andcalculatedthroughairtotheaverageeffectiveultravioletradiation(UV-R)irradiancetransmittedandcalculatedthroughfabric.
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD13onTextilesandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD13.65onUVProtectiveFabricsandClothing.
Current edition approved Oct.June 1, 2007.2010. Published November 2007.July 2010. Originally approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 20002007 as
D6603–00.D6603–07. DOI: 10.1520/D6603-107.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http://www.aatcc.org.
4
Available from Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
4
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
www.access.gpo.gov.
5
AvailablefromStandardsAustralia,1theCrescent,HomebushNSW2140AustraliaandStandardsNewZealand,Level10,StandardsHouse,155TheTerrace,Wellington
0001, New Zealand.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D6603–10
3.1.2.1Discussion—A UPF value is a relative ranking of the UV protective
...