Summary: UL Solutions and Eyesafe have introduced a new program that provides a standardized rating system for blue light and privacy screen protection products used on electronic devices. This program allows consumers to compare the effectiveness of different screen protectors based on a Radiance Protection Factor (RPF), similar to how SPF is used for sunscreen. The initiative aims to bring transparency and clarity to the market, helping consumers make informed decisions about blue light protection.
Three Key Takeaways:
- Standardized Rating System: The program introduces a Radiance Protection Factor (RPF) scale, which quantifies the effectiveness of blue light filters on electronic screens, allowing consumers to easily compare products.
- Enhanced Consumer Clarity: By verifying product claims through UL Solutions using Eyesafe criteria, the program aims to provide transparency, helping consumers understand and trust the blue light protection they are purchasing.
- Health-Driven Demand: With increasing awareness of the potential health impacts of blue light exposure, the new rating system addresses the growing consumer demand for reliable and effective blue light filtering solutions.
UL Solutions, an independent safety science company, and Eyesafe, a supplier of blue light filtration technology, announced a new program that provides a way for consumers to compare the efficacy of blue light and privacy screen protection products used on phones, tablets, monitors, and other electronics.
According to the companies, the market for blue light screen protection has expanded rapidly, due to concerns such as visual discomfort and sleep disruption. As screen time rises, so does exposure to blue light, driving demand for effective protection.
New Verification Program for Blue Light Filters
With products tested and their marketing claims verified by UL Solutions using Eyesafe Screen Accessory Requirements 2.1 criteria, this new UL Marketing Claim Verification program will enable brands to communicate their product’s blue light filtration and color performance to consumers.
“Consumers are seeking an objective way to determine that a screen protector provides meaningful reduction of blue light while maintaining the display’s color integrity,” says Barry Yu, vice president and general manager of the consumer, medical, and information technology group at UL Solutions, in a release. “The Marketing Claim Verification program from UL Solutions using the Eyesafe criteria supports this need, providing a basis for clear and rigorous assessment of product performance. It provides transparency in marketing claims and offers tangible proof that consumers can rely on.”
The UL Marketing Claim Verification program is available for blue light and privacy screen protection brands worldwide, with product marketing claims verified by UL Solutions using Eyesafe Screen Accessory Requirements 2.1.
RPF: A New Standard for Blue Light Protection
Informed by eye care professionals and scientists providing a baseline for blue light filtration and color performance, Eyesafe Screen Accessory Requirements 2.1 measure peak filtration at 435-440 nanometers, the wavelength identified by the American National Standards Institute and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection as the range of blue light with the highest impact on the retina.
In addition, products undergo evaluation for blue light toxicity reduction, correlated color temperature shift, and the amount of luminance reduction. The correlated color temperature and luminance metrics confirm that display colors remain vivid.
Upon verification, products are assigned a Radiance Protection Factor (RPF), a metric that quantifies the amount of blue light protection a screen protector provides. The RPF scale ranges from RPF 20 to RPF 80, with higher numbers indicating greater blue light protection. It works similarly to SPF for sunscreen.
Addressing Consumer Health Concerns
The scale was developed by Eyesafe with input from doctors and healthcare leaders to offer a clear, standardized measure of blue light filtration to enhance consumer confidence and allow consumers to compare different products easily. UL Solutions will verify the RPF, which may be used for marketing purposes.
“People are becoming more aware of the ways that screen time and blue light can affect their health, from potential sleep disruption to visual discomfort,” says David Friess, OD, the chair of the Eyesafe Vision Health Advisory Board, in a release. “There is a critical need for solutions that help consumers mitigate the potentially negative effects of excessive screen use. The new UL Marketing Claim Verification program helps brands communicate the performance of screen protectors regarding blue light and color performance.”
After Verification, brands will be able to use the UL Eyesafe Verified Mark on their products, packaging, and marketing collateral to communicate their achievement.
Photo caption: UL Solutions and Eyesafe introduce the UL Marketing Claim Verification Program for blue light and privacy screen accessories, helping brands clearly communicate their product’s blue light filtration and color performance to consumers.
Photo credit: Eyesafe
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