However, as standards are based on laboratory test results on cut specimens under controlled environments which do not resemble actual working conditions, the test results shall not be leveraged as indications of suitability to specific applications. To determine the gloves’ suitability, we strongly recommend trials of actual samples under desired applications. Our teams of highly experienced industrial specialists are well equipped to provide further consultations.
EN 420:2003, General Requirements for Protective Gloves
The standard provides universal requirements for the design, construction, innocuousness, comfort, efficiency, marking and all information applicable to all protective gloves. All protective gloves are given ratings based on their performance level, according to a specific test method.
REQUIREMENTS
Marking and basic information
Each glove should be marked with;
-
Manufacturer’s entity
-
Glove and size designation
-
Product names
-
Product code
-
CE mark
-
Relevant pictograms
Sizing
Refer to the sizing table below for appropriate sizing guidance for the gloves. Gloves that are smaller than the minimum length are to be called ‘fit for special purpose’. Glove sizes are determined according to measured hand circumferences (mm.) which is typically the dominant hand’s.
Glove Size |
Fits Hand Size |
Hand Circumference / Length (mm.) |
Minimum length of the glove (mm.) |
6 |
6 |
152/160 |
220 |
7 |
7 |
178/171 |
230 |
8 |
8 |
203/182 |
240 |
9 |
9 |
229/192 |
250 |
10 |
10 |
254/204 |
260 |
11 |
11 |
279/215 |
270 |
Dexterity
When required, glove performances are to be graded as per table below
Performance Level |
Smallest Diameter |
1 |
11.0 |
2 |
9.5 |
3 |
8.0 |
4 |
6.5 |
5 |
5.0 |
Glove construction and design
-
Gloves have to offer the greatest possible degree of protection in the foreseeable conditions of end use
Innocuousness
-
The gloves themselves should not cause any harm to the user.
-
pH of the glove should be between 3.5 and 9.5.
-
Chromium (VI) content in gloves shall not exceed 3.0 mg/kg.
-
Natural rubber glove shall be tested for extractable protein according to EN 455-3
EN 374:2003, Gloves Giving Protection from Chemicals and Micro-Organisms
This Standard specifies the capability of gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms.
DEFINITIONS
Penetration
The movement of a chemical and/or micro-organism through porous materials, seams, pinholes or other imperfections in a protective glove material at a non-molecular level.
Permeation
Permeation is a process by which molecules diffuse through a membrane by means of diffusion process. Molecules move from region with higher concentration to that with lower ones. As liquids are capable of diffusing through rubber films, it is vital to determine the breakthrough times which is the time taken from the liquid to come into contact with the skin through the glove’s rubber film.
REQUIREMENTS
Penetration
A glove shall not leak under an air and/or water leak test and shall be tested and inspected in compliance with the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL).
Performance Level |
Acceptable Quality Level Unit |
Inspection Levels |
Level 3 |
< 0.65 |
G1 |
Level 2 |
< 1.5 |
G1 |
Level 1 |
< 4.0 |
S4 |
Permeation
Each chemical test is classified in terms of breakthrough time with varied performance level
MeasuredBreakthough Time |
ProtectionIndex |
MeasuredBreakthough Time |
ProtectionIndex |
> 10 minutes |
class 1 |
> 120 minutes |
class 4 |
> 30 minutes |
class 2 |
> 240 minutes |
class 5 |
> 60 minutes |
class 3 |
> 480 minutes |
class 6 |
PICTOGRAMS
Chemical Resistant
The ‘chemical resistant’ pictogram must be accompanied by a minimum of 3-letter code. This code refers to the code letters of three chemicals (from a list of 12 defined chemicals) for which a breakthrough time of at least 30 minutes has been recorded.
Code Letter |
Chemical |
Cas Number |
Class |
A |
Methanol |
67-56-1 |
Primary Alcohol |
B |
Acetone |
67-64-1 |
Ketone |
C |
Acetonitrile |
75-05-8 |
Nitrile Compound |
D |
Dichloromethane |
75-09-2 |
Chlorinated Paraffin |
E |
Carbone Disulphide |
75-15-0 |
Sulphur Containing Organic Compound |
F |
Toluene |
108-88-3 |
Aromatic Hydrocarbon |
G |
Diethylamine |
109-89-7 |
Amine |
H |
Tetrahydrofurane |
109-99-9 |
Heterocyclic and Ether Compound |
I |
Ethyl Acetate |
141-78-6 |
Ester |
J |
n-Heptane |
142-85-5 |
Saturated Hydrocarbon |
K |
Sodium Hydroxide 40% |
1310-73-2 |
Inorganic Base |
L |
Sulphuric Acid 96% |
7664-93-9 |
Inorganic Mineral Acid |
Micro-Organism
The ‘Micro-Organism’ pictogram above is to be used when the glove conforms to a minimum of level 2 for the penetration test.
Low Chemical Resistant
The ‘Low Chemical Resistant’ or ‘Waterproof glove’ pictogram is to be used for gloves which fail to achieve a breakthrough time of at least 30 minutes against a minimum of three chemicals from the defined list, but able to comply with the penetration test.
EN 388:2003, Glove Giving Protection from Mechanical Risks
This Standard is applicable to all kinds of protective gloves in relation to physical and mechanical pressure enforced upon by abrasion, blade cut, tear and puncture.
The pictogram expressing mechanical risks is expressed alongside a 4-digit code. A total of four mechanical hazard tests are to be taken, as classified below;
a) Resistance to Abrasion
Determination of the number of cycles required to abrade through the sample glove
b) Blade Cut Resistance
The number of cycles required to cut through the sample at a constant speed
c) Tear Resistance
Amount of force required to tear the sample
d) Puncture Resistance
Force required for a standard-sized point to pierce through a sample
There are five performance ratings to each test, with 0 indicating lowest performance level and 5 indicating otherwise
Test |
Performance Level Rating |
|||||
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
a) Resistance to Abrasion |
< 100 |
100 |
500 |
2,000 |
8,000 |
|
b) Blade Cut Resistance |
< 1.2 |
1.2 |
2.5 |
5.0 |
10.0 |
20.0 |
c) Tear Resistance |
< 10 |
10 |
25 |
50 |
75 |
|
d) Puncture Resistance |
< 20 |
20 |
60 |
100 |
150 |