When workers need to stay outside under strong sunlight, normal fabric is not enough. UV protection fabric helps to reduce skin damage and make workwear more protective. In this article, we’ll explain how it works, what standards are used in different countries, and what fabrics are popular in the workwear market.
What Is UV Protection Fabric for Workwear?
UV protection fabric is designed to block harmful sunlight, especially UVA and UVB rays. It is used in work shirts, pants, or jackets for outdoor jobs. To measure UV performance, we usually follow UPF ratings, tested by standards like AS/NZS 4399 (Australia), EN 13758 (Europe), or AATCC 183 (USA).
Let’s look at how UV fabrics work and what kind of fabrics are commonly used in workwear.
❓ How Does UV Protection Fabric Work?
There are a few ways to improve UV blocking in fabric:
- Fabric density: Tight weave, like cotton twill, can naturally reduce UV penetration.
- Yarn selection: Some yarns, like polyester or Coolmax®, have better UV resistance.
- Finishing: We can add UV absorber in post-treatment. This is the most common method we use in production.
For example, one of our poly-cotton fabrics (TZ-FZW2502) is made with 65/35 poly-cotton + Coolmax. It gives both breathability and UV protection, very suitable for hot weather.
🌍 What UV Standards Are Used in Different Markets?
Here are 3 main UV protection standards we follow when doing lab tests for clients:
✅ Australia – AS/NZS 4399
- UPF levels: 15, 30, 50, 50+
- This is a very strict standard in the world
- Mostly used in mining, electrical, and outdoor clothing brands
✅ Europe – EN 13758
- Measures how well fabric blocks UVA/UVB
- UPF rating must be shown on label
✅ USA – AATCC 183
- Checks UV transmission through fabric
- Common in sportswear and functional workwear
📌 UPF means how much UV is blocked by fabric. UPF 50+ blocks more than 98% of UV rays.
🇦🇺 What’s Required for Australian Workwear Market?
Australia has very strong sunlight. Most workwear buyers want fabric with UPF 50+ and tested by AS/NZS 4399 standard.
We recommend this fabric for the Australian market:
👉 100% Cotton 310gsm Drill UPF50+ Mercerised & Preshrunk
This is a classic fabric used in autumn/winter work pants. It is strong, breathable, and has very good UV protection. Many brands in Australia already use this for their workwear collections.
🧵 What Fabrics Are Popular for UV Protective Workwear?
Here are some fabric types that we usually offer for UV protection:
| Fabric Type | Feature | Good for UV? |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Cotton (high density) | Natural, breathable | ✅ Yes |
| 65/35 Poly-Cotton | Durable, washable | ✅ Yes |
| Polyester / Nylon Functional Yarn | Fast-dry, UV-blocking | ✅ Yes |
| Poly-Cotton with Spandex | Stretch comfort | ✅ Yes |
| Light Cotton (low density) | Too thin, UV goes through | ❌ Not recommended |
💡 Polyester itself has UV resistance, so even poly-cotton blends can reach high UPF if fabric weight is enough, or color is dark enough.
🛡️ Can UV Fabric Also Be Antibacterial or Anti-static?
Yes. Many UV protection fabrics can also include other functions. Below are some examples:
TZ-FZW2505 is a good example. It has spandex for comfort and anti-static yarn. We often use this fabric for uniforms in power stations, fuel companies, or electronics factories.
UV protection fabric is very important for outdoor workers. If you understand the standard and choose the right fabric, your garment will be safer and more comfortable. If you are looking for this kind of fabric, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help and send more samples.