Standards

There are various standards characterizing general necessities and test methods for various kinds of gloves. Here you will locate an overall perspective on every single current standard and classification.

CE CATEGORIES 

Learn more about Cat. 1, Cat. 2, Cat. 3

Category 1

Gloves in this class are proposed to shield the user from nominal injuries that may happen during for instance washing, dishing yet additionally from hot items where temperatures are beneath +50C. Additionally appropriate for less gardening and other work where the chance for lighter injuries.

Category 2

This category of gloves is expected to shield the user from injuries that are not categorized as negligible nor extremely high. The gloves must be marked with a pictogram indicating the glove’s safety properties and are tried by the standard EN388, mechanical protection, at an authorized test organization. All classification 2 gloves are approved and type confirmed by a Notified Body to show the legitimacy of protection.

Category 3

Gloves in this group ensure protection against dangers that may cause intense outcomes, for example, death or permanent harm to health. The gloves must be marked with pictograms indicating the glove’s safety properties and must be tried at an authorized test organization. They should likewise be approved and certified, for both kind and production control, by a Notified Body to show the legitimacy of protection. In Category 3, all chemical protection gloves are classified. In addition to it, heat protection can be arranged to this category.

EN 420:2003 + A1:2009 (2)

SAFETY GLOVES – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND TRIAL METHODS

This standard characterizes the overall prerequisites legitimate for every single protective glove and sets requirements for glove marking. 

The glove itself will not be a hazard to wear or cause harm to the worker. 

The glove material will have a pH value somewhere in the range of 3,5 and 9,5. 

The Chrome VI level in the glove leather must remain at 2,9 mg/kg or less. 

On the off chance that the glove contains any substances known to cause allergic reactions, it will be expressed in the product information. 

The glove sizes are uniform by minimum length. 

EN 420:2003 + A1:2009 has no pictogram.

EN 388:2016 (3)

Protective gloves against mechanical dangers
As indicated by this regularity, attributes, for example, cut resistance, abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, tearing strength, and impact protection are tested. Four numbers and one, or two letters, will be shown related to the pictogram. These signs demonstrate the performance of the glove.

1. CUT RESISTANCE, COUP TEST
The cut security is tried. A blade is passed over the glove material until it slices through. The safety level is given by a number somewhere in the range of 1 and 5, where 5 demonstrates the highest cut protection. If that the material dulls the blade during this test, the cut test ISO 13997(TDM test) will be performed rather, see point 5.
2. ABRASION RESISTANCE
The material is subjected to abrasion by sandpaper under a decided pressure. The protection level is shown on a size of 1 to 4 contingent upon the number of turns required until a gap shows up in the material. The higher the number is, the better the protection from abrasion.

3. PUNCTURE RESISTANCE
In light of the level of power required to puncture the material with a tip. The safety function is demonstrated by a number somewhere in the range of 1 and 4, where 4 shows the strongest material.

4. TEARING STRENGTH
The power required to tear the glove material is estimated. The protection level is demonstrated by a number somewhere in the range of 1 and 4, where 4 shows the most solid material.

5. CUT RESISTANCE, TDM TEST ISO 13997
If the blade gets dull during the coup test, see point 2, this test will be performed. The outcome is given by a letter, A to F, where F shows the most elevated level of protection. If any of these letters is given, this strategy decides the safety level rather than the coup test.
ISO 13997:1999 – Determination of resistance from cutting by sharp items.
An alternative cut test suggested for cut protection gloves. Will be utilized in EN388:2016 for cut protection gloves where the cut material dulls the cutting blade during testing. A blade cuts with steady speed however expanding power until breakthrough of the cut protection material. The level of safety is given in Newton, the power required for a slice through at 20mm cut length.

6. IMPACT PROTECTION
If the glove has impact protection, this data is given by the letter P as the 6th and last sign. In the event that no P sign, no impact protection is asserted.
EN 388:2003
This is the old version of the standard against mechanical dangers. The distinctions contrasted with the 2016 version are the paper grid in the abrasion test and how to perform testing of cut-resistant fibers. Additionally, not applicable to test impact protection, there are as yet numerous protective gloves available named by the old version of this standard. These areas are acceptable to use as the newly marked gloves.
Imperative to comprehend is: it’s not the glove’s performance that has changed. It is the method of testing the performance that has changed!

EN 511:2006 (4)

Protective gloves against cold
It is extra imperative to shield the hands from cold burns in cool situations. This standard measures how well the glove can withstand both convective cold and contact cold. Also, water penetration is tested after 30 minutes.

The first figure shows how well the glove protects against convective cold (performance level 0-4)
The second figure shows how well the glove protects against contact cold (performance level 0-4)
The third figure shows the glove protection against water penetration (performance 0 or 1 where 0 indicates “water penetration after 30 minutes” and 1 indicates “no water penetration after 30 minutes”)

EN 407 (5)

Protective gloves against thermal risks (heat and/or fire)
This standard specifies demands and test methods for protective gloves that shall protect against heat and/or fire. The numbers given besides the pictogram indicate the glove’s performance for each test in the standard. The higher number the better performance level.
This standard indicates demands and test techniques for safety gloves that will ensure protection against heat as well as fire. The numbers given with the pictogram shows the gloves performance for each test in the standard. The higher number the better its performance level.

1. FIRE PROPERTIES OF THE MATERIAL
The start time and how long the material gleams or burns after start is estimated in this test. If the seam comes into pieces after a start season of 15 seconds, the glove has failed the test.
2. CONTACT HEAT
The glove is exposed to temperatures between + 100°C to + 500°C. Then it is measured how long it takes for the inner side of the glove to become 10°C warmer than it was from the start (about 25 ° C degrees). The glove must withstand the increasing temperature of maximum 10°C for at least 15 seconds for an approval.
3. CONVECTIVE HEAT
Here it is measured how long it takes to raise the inside temperature of the glove with 24°C, using a gas lubrication (80kW / m2).
4. RADIANT HEAT
The average time is measured for a heat permeation of 2.5kW / m2.
5. SMALL SPLASHES OF MOLTEN METAL
The test is based on the number of drops of molten metal that produces a temperature increase between the glove material and the skin with 40°C.
6. LARGE QUANTITIES OF MOLTEN METAL
A PVC film is attached to the back of the glove material. Molten iron is poured onto the material. The measurement consists of how many grams of molten iron required to damage the PVC film.

EN ISO 374-1:2016 (6)

Protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms
Synthetic compounds can cause genuinely hurt for both the individual’ health and nature. Two Chemicals, each with known properties, can cause startling impacts when they are blended. This standard gives mandates of how to test degradation and permeation for 18 synthetic compounds however doesn’t reflect the genuine period of protection in the work environment and the difference between mixture and pure chemicals.

This standard determines the demands of the necessities for a glove to ensure protection against hazardous chemicals and micro-organisms.

The most limited suitable length that is fluid tight will compare to the base length of the gloves as determined in EN 420:2003 + A1:2009.

PENETRATION
Chemicals can penetrate through holes and other defects in the glove material. To secure a glove to be approved as a chemical protection glove the glove shall not leak water or air when tested according to penetration, EN 374-2:2014.
Chemicals can infiltrate through holes and defects in the glove material. To secure a glove to be approved as a substance protection glove the glove will not spill water or air when tried by penetration, EN 374-2:2014.

DEGRADATION
The glove material might be undesirably affected by chemical contact. Degradation shall be determined according to EN 374-4:2013 for each chemical. The degradation result, in percentage (%), shall be stated in the user instruction.
PERMEATION
The chemicals break through the glove material at a molecular level. The breakthrough time is here calculated and the glove must withstand a breakthrough time of at least:
Type A – 30 minutes (level 2) against minimum 6 test chemicals
Type B – 30 minutes (level 2) against minimum 3 test chemicals
Type C – 10 minutes (level 1) against minimum 1 test chemical

The third row in the pictogram for Type A and B indicates which chemicals, in the table below, the glove protects against. Type C doesn’t have a third row and withstand 1 chemical only for a short while.

The test chemicals are listed in the table above and all 18 chemicals shall be tested for permeation according to EN 16523-1:2015.

MICRO-ORGANISMS
All gloves must be tested against micro-organisms. The gloves are tested to protect against bacteria and fungi, but also viruses if requested, according to EN 374-5:2016.

EN ISO 10819:2013 (7)

Mechanical vibration and Shock – Hand-arm vibration – Measurement and assessment of the vibration transmissibility of gloves at the palm of the hand.
The standard is intended to measure the vibration transmissibility from a vibrating handle – through a glove – to the palm. The test is acted in 33% octave frequency bands with center frequencies of 25Hz to 1250Hz.
To be donated to as anti-vibration glove, the accompanying measures must be met:
TRM esteem will not be less or equivalent to ≤ 0,9 (all out vibration transmission between 25 Hz-200Hz)
TRH esteem will not be less or equivalent to ≤ 0.6 (all out vibration transmission between 200Hz-1,25kHz)
The thickness of the damping material in the palm will not surpass a thickness of 8mm. It should likewise cover the entire palm and the full length of the thumb and fingers.
These demands show that the vibrations doesn’t increment in the medium frequency range, TRM are diminished by in any event 40% in the high frequency range. TRH
Note that these gloves can diminish the health dangers identified with vibration exposure, similar to white fingers, however doesn’t dispose of the dangers. The gloves diminish the vibrations however just in frequencies over 150Hz.
The vibration dampening properties may likewise be influenced through aging, moisture absorption, temperature and high contact pressure.

EN 12477:2001 (8)

Protective gloves for welders
This standard depicts how gloves should to be intended to give hand and wrist safety in welding and similar work circumstances. Welding gloves will be tested by EN 388:2016. They must also provide protection against splashes of molten metal, short-term exposure to open flames, radiant heat, contact heat and mechanical protection according to EN 407:2004.
The gloves are additionally surveyed by its design and purpose:
Type A refers to gloves with higher protection against heat however with lower adaptability and dexterity.
Type B alludes to gloves with lower safety against heat however with more prominent adaptability and dexterity.
EN 12477:2001 has no pictogram.

ESD – IES 61340-5-1:2016 (9)

Protection of electronic devices from electronic phenomena
To protect the electronic gadgets from electrostatic discharges it is essential to utilize gloves, and other hardware, adjusted to environment.
The material’s vertical resistance among hand and electrode is tested and estimated. The resistance shall be as low as possible so that electrical charges pass through the material instead of getting collected with risk of suddenly discharging. Close by sensitive electronics may then be destroyed. The resistance of the material will be underneath 109ω to be endorsed.
For full security of the electrical gadgets, the ESD-named glove will be utilized with other ESD equipment, for example, garments, shoes, bracelets and more.

EN 16350:2014 (10)

Protective gloves – Electrostatic properties
In an ATEX zone (environment with an explosive atmosphere), a flash brought about by the release of static electricity from an object can make a blast. Thusly, working gloves should be structured all together not to accumulate static electricity. This standard concerns prerequisite for gloves in ATEX zones.

The standard gives extra prerequisites to protective gloves that are worn in flammable or unstable areas.

The vertical opposition (the resistance through a material) of the glove is performed and estimated through test standard EN 1149-2 and every estimation will be lower than the necessity of 1,0×108ω

Note that the electrostatic dissipative protective gloves are viable just if the wearer is earthed through a resistance lower than 108ω

The glove wearer should along these lines wear satisfactory dress and shoes so as to be for all time earthed to not have the option to discharge static electricity during movements.

EN 1149 (11)

Protective clothing – Electrostatic properties

This standard is adapted for protective clothing however is utilized to test electrostatic properties likewise on protective gloves. Gloves tried and satisfying prerequisites in this standard have electrostatic dissipative properties.

Electrostatic properties can be tried in various manners.

EN 1149-1 characterizes the test to measure surface resistivity (Ω)

EN 1149-2 characterizes the test to measure vertical resistance (Ω) This technique is utilized when testing vertical resistance in the glove standard EN 16350.

EN 1149-3 characterizes the test to measure the charge decay time (s)

EN 1149-5 characterizes the criteria to guarantee electrostatic dissipativity (anti static)

When utilizing protective gloves with electrostatic properties, it is essential to be appropriately grounded. Therefore, adequate clothing and shoes needs to be worn, in addition to the gloves, in order to be permanently earthed and not be able to discharge static electricity during movement.

ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 (12)

Impact-resistant gloves

This American standard fixed requirements of gloves designed to protect the knuckles and fingers from impact forces. 
The impact resistance is categorized in level 1, 2 and 3, where level 1 equals the lowest level of perforce and level 3 equals the highest level of performance. *tabell*

The test is performed by dropping a falling weight on the impact areas of the glove recording the force transferred in kilonewtons (kN). Areas tested are knuckles at back of hand, fingers and thumb.
*bild*
The weakest performance area describes the overall performance level of the glove and the protection level is given at the glove marking. *piktogram*

ASTM F2675/F2675M – 19 (13)

This standard has no pictogram at the time of writing but the ATPV level is indicated at the inside label of the glove.

Deciding Arc Ratings of Hand Protective Products, Developed and Used for Electrical Arc Flash Protection 

This test technique decides the gloves protection level against electric arc by estimating the measure of thermal energy communicated through the gloves during and after exposure to an electric arc. 

The arc thermal performance value, ATPV cal / cm2, is the penetrating energy into the gloves material that results in a 50% probability of sufficient heat transfer through the gloves to cause the onset of a second-degree skin burn.

The higher ATPV value the glove achieves in testing, the higher energy it protects against in the event of an arc exposure. Note that these gloves can diminish the harm in case of exposure to electrical arc, but do not eliminate the risk of injury. 

The gloves’ degree of security can be adversely influenced after contact with for instance gasoline, diesel fuel, transformer oil, sweat, dirt, grease or other contaminants. 

It is the user’s duty to decide proper safety, health and environmental practices and decide the utilization of regulatory limitations before use. 

This standard has no pictogram at the hour of composing yet the ATPV level is demonstrated at within mark of the glove.

FOOD CONTACT (14)

Articles intended to come into contact with food

Materials that come into contact with food must not contaminate food with hazardous substances. The Regulation 1935/2004/EC governs the requirements for traceability and identification throughout the production chain. The products shall also be marked with the glass/fork symbol.
The gloves shall be manufactured in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) 20023/2006 on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) which imposes requirements on the manufacturer’s quality assurance system for articles intended to come into contact with food.

Protective gloves with glass/fork symbol meet the above requirements and can be used in contact with food. What kind of food they are adapted for is stated in the user instruction that accompany the glove.