[The UV Protection Alliance in Germany-Purpose and goals]

Despite the serious health consequences of UV radiation, protection against UV radiation is even now still not a matter of course. The population has a largely realistic view of UV radiation-related health risks but this does not seem to instigate a change in personal risk assessments and towards an adequate UV protection behavior. This is not least due to the partly contradictory statements and recommendations regarding the positive and negative health effects, also from the scientific community. A harmonization as well as a collation of the statements and activities of individual players in UV protection related to the prevention of UV-related diseases gives the key messages the necessary strength to make UV protection a matter of course in society. To this end, the UV Protection Alliance was initiated by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS). This article reports on the UV Protection Alliance, presents the partners in the Alliance, the goals of the UV Protection Alliance, previous results of work by the Alliance and actions and interventions of the Alliance partners. The public impact of the UV Protection Alliance is explained and an outlook is given on future tasks of the Alliance.