The invention provides a wavelength converting material comprising a compound of the formula (Y1-w-x-y-zScwLaxGdyLuz)2-a(S04)3:Mea, wherein Me represents trivalent cation or a mixture of trivalent cations capable of emitting UV-C radiation, and wherein each of w, x, y and z is in the range of from 0.0 to 1.0 and w+x+y+z@1.0, and wherein 0.0005@a@0.2. The wavelength converting material may be applied in an illumination device for UV illumination, in particular for sterilization or disinfection by germicidal UV illumination.