Sun-screen clothing to get go-ahead

Date:18/09/03

By Peter Chapman

CLOTHING that shields the wearer from the harmful effects of the sun will soon carry an EU-approved label.

Products meeting a list of design features collated by the Brussels-based European Standards Committee will be able to sport the special "sun safe" logo.

This guarantees the garments offer levels of protection similar to, or greater than, the equivalent "factor 40" sun cream.

A shirt carrying the label will allow someone whose skin normally burns in ten minutes to stay in the sun without burning for 40 times longer - over six-and-a-half hours.

Sue Bolton, product standards manager for retailing giant Marks & Spencer, said the firm's Spring 2004 collection would include sun-safe lines with protection against ultra violet "A" and "B" rays, responsible for burning.

She said these would be aimed mainly at children. The new M&S lines will also include sun-safe sportswear and loose-fitting garments seen as ideal for tourists visiting countries with hot climates.

Only clothes covering up most of a person's body would be allowed to use the label, she explained.

"It is not intended to protect you while sunbathing. We could have had the very situation where all bikinis would have the protection factor on them."

Exposure to sun - particularly during childhood - has been closely linked with incidence of skin cancer. But Bolton insisted clothing firms are anxious to avoid claiming that wearing their sun-safe clothes will cut down the risk of developing the disease.

She emphasized that parts of the body, such as the head, wrist and ankles, not covered up by sun-safe apparel would have to be protected by sun block cream, or a suitable hat.

The European Committee for Standardisation is to issue clothing that protects the wearer from the harmful effects of ultraviolet with a 'sun safe' logo.

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