Standards
EN ISO 21420:2020 Protective gloves — General requirements and test methods
The old standard EN 420 was revised in March 2020 becoming a new standard EN ISO 21420: 2020. This updated standard specifies the new general requirements and test methods for glove design and construction, safety, comfort, performance, as well as marking and information provided by the manufacturer to all protective gloves.
What is important to remember:
- The new EN ISO 21420 additionally applies to mittens, pot holders, arm protectors - sleeves
- Innocuousness : There is determined limited content of DMFa (Dimethylformamide) - not to exceed 1000 mg/kg. There is determined limited content of Aromatic Polycyclic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) in rubber or plastic materials - not to exceed 1 mg/kg.
- Electrostatic properties :
For all ATEX zones: there is a new pictogram to be marked on the gloves. The electrostatic properties must be tested in accordance with EN 16350 (test method EN1149-2).
For other electrostatic properties: No pictogram determined. Test method EN 1149-1 or EN 1149-3 must be used
- Glove sizing: there is no more minimum length required
- Glove marking: for better traceability of manufacturing batches, gloves must have the following information: manufacturing date (at least month and year) and if applicable, the date of obsolescence with the appropriate pictogram.
- The following information must be provided by the manufacturer: protection against contamination; warning for gloves containing natural rubber; putting on, taking off, and fitting of gloves; comfort and hygiene. And on request: list of substances that can cause allergies (other than rubber). This list is no longer mandatory for the instructions for use.
EN 420:2003+A1:2009 - PROTECTIVE GLOVES - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND TEST METHODS
This standard defines the general requirements and relevant test procedures for glove design and construction, resistance to water penetration, innocuousness, comfort and dexterity, marking, and information supplied by the manufacturer that is applicable to all protective gloves. This European Standard does not address the protective properties of gloves and therefore should be used in combination with the appropriate European standards.
This standard describes the following requirements:
• Gloves must offer the greatest possible degree of protection
• If the glove features seams, they should not reduce the glove’s performance
• pH levels should be between 3.5 and 9.5
• Chromium (VI) content should be below detection (< 3ppm)
• Natural rubber gloves should be tested on extractable proteins to ensure they do not cause allergic reactions
• If cleaning instructions are provided, the level of performance must not be reduced even after the maximum number of washes
EN 420 also concerns the glove’s overall fit and feel by testing:
• Sizing and length
• Finger dexterity
Sample gloves are suspended from their middle fingers and measured from the fingertip to the bottom of the cuff to determine their length. EN 420 includes a list of minimum lengths for each glove size. Variances (i.e., gloves designed for specific purposes) are permitted provided the manufacturer can demonstrate the design’s intent.
Overall glove sizing and dexterity are also tested. Gloves are fitted on the appropriate hand sizes. The wearer will then try to pick up pins of varying sizes to measure the glove’s dexterity. These pins range in size from 5mm to 11mm in diameter; the smaller the diameter, the greater the glove’s dexterity.
The levels of performance are as follows: 1 = minimum, 2 = good, 3 = very good, 4 and 4+ = excellent, 0 = no protection, X = performance not measured.
Working gloves are divided into three categories:
Category I: Gloves designed to protect against minimal risks only
Examples of glove types are household gloves for cleaning and for protection against warm objects or temperatures that do not exceed 50⁰C, gloves for gardening, and light duty cotton or leather gloves. The gloves are tested and certified in accordance with EN 420. This standard defines the general requirements for protective gloves and establishes a guarantee for CE marking. Manufacturers are permitted to test and certify gloves themselves.
Category II: Gloves designed to protect against intermediate risks
Gloves in this category provide protection against risks that are more severe that minimal but not considered mortal. These gloves must be subjected to independent testing and certification by a Notified Body, who then issues a CE marking indicating the glove’s protective capacities. Gloves in this category are general handling gloves requiring good puncture and abrasion performance in accordance with EN 388.
Category III: Gloves with complex designs that protect against irreversible injuries and mortal risks
Gloves in this category are designed to protect against the highest levels of risk (e.g. highly corrosive acids) and must be independently tested and certified by a Notified Body approved by the European Commission.
EN 388 - GLOVES PROTECTING AGAINST MECHANICAL HAZARDS
(EN 388:2016 supersedes 388:2003.)
This European Standard specifies requirements, test methods, marking, and information that must be provided for gloves that protect against abrasion, blade cut, tear, and puncture. This standard is applicable only in conjunction with EN 420. The test methods described in this standard may apply to protective equipment (e.g., arm protectors) that does not constitute a glove or apparel.
In accordance with EN 388:2004, all tests must be conducted on the material in the glove’s palm area and on the material combination used in the glove’s construction.
Protection against mechanical hazards is expressed by a pictogram followed by four numbers (i.e., performance levels), each representing test performance against a specific hazard.
The levels of performance are as follows: 1 = minimum, 2 = good, 3 = very good, 4 and 4+ = excellent, 0 = no protection, X = performance not measured.
A - Resistance to abrasion
Based on the number of cycles required to abrade through the sample glove (e.g., abrasion by sandpaper under a specified pressure). The protection factor is then indicated on a scale from 1 to 4 depending on how many revolutions are required to make a hole in the material. The higher the number, the better the protection (See table below.)
B - Blade cut resistance
Based on the number of cycles required to cut through the sample glove at a constant speed. The protection factor is then indicated on a scale from 1 to 5.
C - Tear resistance
Based on the amount of force required to tear the sample. The protection factor is then indicated on a scale from 1 to 4.
D - Puncture resistance
Based on the amount of force required to pierce the sample with a standard-sized point. The protection factor is then indicated on a scale from 1 to 4.
Note: results marked with an X indicate that the glove was not tested against this hazard is not tested; results marked with an O indicate that the glove did not pass the test.
The 2016 update to EN 388 retains the four categories (A to D) and specifies additional hazard categories:
E – Blade cut resistance (EN ISO 13997)
Using only sharpened straight blades (i.e., no dull or dulling blades), this test measures the durability of the sample glove against cut-through inside a distance of 20mm, allowing for the calculation of a score from A to F, with F being the highest rating. This test is used primarily for specialized products (e.g., firefighters’ gloves).
F – Impact protection
The letter P is used to indicate that a sample glove has passed the impact protection test. Conversely, the letter F is used to indicate that a sample glove has failed the impact protection test.
Warning! Observe caution when working with moving mechanical parts as material can become entangled and cause injury. Gloves must not be worn if there is a risk of entanglement by moving mechanical parts.
EN 407 GLOVES PROVIDING PROTECTION AGAINST THERMAL RISKS (HEAT AND/OR FIRE)
EN 407:2004 specifies the requirements, test methods, information to be supplied, and marking for gloves that provide protection against heat and/or fire. This should be used for gloves that protect the hands against heat and/or flames in one or more of the following forms: fire, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes, and large quantities of molten metal. This standard is applicable only in conjunction with EN420. Product tests may indicate performance levels but not protection levels.
The nature and degree of protection is shown by a pictogram followed by a series of six performance levels that relate to specific protective qualities. The higher the number, the better the test result. The following product features are those tested relative to the specifications of this standard:
A: Resistance to flammability (performance level 0-4)
The glove’s material is stretched and lit with a gas flame. The flame is held against the material for 15 seconds. After the flame is distinguished, the time that the material glows or burns is measured.
B: Resistance to contact heat (performance level 0-4)
The glove’s material is exposed to temperatures between 100°C and 500°C to determine the amount of time required for the material on the inside of the glove to increase by 10°C from the starting temperature (approx. 25°C). 15 seconds is the minimum accepted length of time for approval. For example: to be marked with class 2, the glove’s inside material must withstand 250°C heat for 15 seconds before the material exceeds 35°C.
C: Resistance to convective heat (performance level 0-4)
The glove is placed in contact with a gas flame (80Kw/kvm) to determine the amount of time required to increase the temperature of a glove’s inside material by 24°C.
A score is indicated only if the sample obtains a performance level of 3 or 4 in the flammability test.
D: Resistance to radiant heat (performance level 0-4)
The glove’s material is stretched in front of a heat source with an effect of 20-40 kw/kvm to measure the average time for 2.5 kw/kvm of heat penetration.
A score is indicated only if the sample obtains a performance level of 3 or 4 in the flammability test.
E: Resistance to small splashes of molten metal (performance level 0-4)
This test is used to determine the number of drops of molten metal that will increase the temperature between the inside of the glove and the wearer’s skin by 40°C.
A score is indicated only if the sample obtains a performance level of 3 or 4 in the flammability test.
F: Resistance to large splashes of molten metal (performance level 0-4)
After simulated skin is affixed to the inside of the sample glove. Molten metal is then poured over the glove to determine what quantity will damage the simulated skin. If molten metal droplets remain stuck to the glove or if the glove ignites, the sample glove will receive a score of 0.
EN 374-1:2003 GLOVES PROVIDING PROTECTION AGAINST CHEMICALS AND MICROORGANISMS – PART 1: TERMINOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
This standard specifies the requirements for gloves that protect the wearer against chemicals and microorganisms and defines relevant terminology. The standard should be used in conjunction with EN 420 and is superseded by NEN EN ISO 374-1:2016 Gloves providing protection against dangerous chemicals and microorganisms – Part 1: Terminology and performance requirements for chemical risks. Accordingly, this standard indicates the capacities of gloves to protect the wearer against chemicals and microorganisms.
Definitions:
Degradation is determined according to the change in a material’s integrity following its exposure to chemicals. The rate of degradation depends on the chemical the glove has come in contact with.
Penetration is the flow of chemicals and microorganisms through porous materials, seams, small holes, and material defects.
Permeation occurs when a chemical passes through a material on a molecular level and is defined as the penetration of a chemical’s molecule through a glove’s outer surface.
This process takes place in three phases:
•Absorption of the flow of molecules in contact with the glove’s outer surface
•Diffusion of molecules through the glove’s material
•Desorption or the outward flow of molecules from inside the glove
The waterproof/low chemical resistance pictogram appears on gloves that have not achieved an EN 374-3 breakthrough time of, at minimum, 30 minutes against at least three of the 12 designated chemicals indicated in the EN 374-2 penetration test list.
EN 374-2: 2014 GLOVES THAT PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST DANGEROUS CHEMICALS AND MICROORGANISMS – PART 2: DETERMINING RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION
EN 374-2:2014 specifies the test methods for determining the penetration resistance of gloves that protect against dangerous chemicals and microorganisms. The microorganism pictogram indicates that glove is waterproof, resistant to microorganisms, and an effective barrier against the liquids that harbor microorganisms. Protection levels assigned to EN 374-2 gloves range from 1 to 3, with 1 being the lowest and 3 being the highest (e.g., gloves assigned a protection rating of 1 are waterproof while gloves with ratings of 2 and 3 provide protection against microorganisms).
Requirements:
• Minimum liquid proof section: the size of this section of the glove must equal the length specified in EN 420.
• Penetration: a glove must not leak when subjected to an air and/or water leak test and must be evaluated against the acceptable quality level (AQL).
EN 374-3: 2003 GLOVES PROVIDING PROTECTION AGAINST CHEMICALS AND MICROORGANISMS – PART 3: DETERMINATION OF RESISTANCE TO PERMEATION BY CHEMICALS
This standard specifies the methods used to determine the resistance of protective glove materials to permeation by potentially hazardous non-gaseous chemicals that the glove has been in continuous contact with. Since these test methods do not endeavor to replicate conditions likely to be found on worksites, use of the results from these tests should be restricted to general comparisons of materials’ durability (e.g., breakthrough times). Gloves with the chemical resistant symbol have attained a level 2 protection score in the EN 374-2 test (see EN 374-2) in which gloves must achieve the same protection scores when exposed to water and any three of the following chemicals:
EN 342 - PROTECTIVE CLOTHING - ENSEMBLES AND GARMENTS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST COLD
(EN 342:2004 supersedes EN 342:1998 and EN 342:2000.)
Protection against temperatures lower than -5ºC
A: (U) Icler – basic thermal insulation for light / medium duty tasks
B: (U) Icler – thermal insulation while standing still
C: Air permeability (3 levels, where 3 is best)
D: Water penetration resistance (2 levels, where 2 is best)
EN 13758-2:2003+A1:2006 - UV PROTECTIVE APPAREL
This standard specifies the requirements for marking clothing designed to provide the wearer with protection against solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Garments marked according to EN13758-2 provide UVA + UVB protection against harmful UV rays. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin damage. Wearing protective apparel designed in accordance with this standard reduces the dangers caused by UV exposure. While this apparel protects against UV radiation wearing this apparel does not guarantee protection in all conditions. Note that only areas covered by this apparel are protected and that the protection offered by this apparel may reduce with use, if stretched, or if wet. UV protective apparel should be cared for according to instructions inside each garment.