A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves

Contents

1 A greater commitment to health and safety

2 Know your EN standards

3 Explaining the three risk categories according to EN legislation

4 Standard EN420:2003
General requirements for protective gloves

7 Standard EN374:2003
Gloves giving protection from chemicals and micro-organisms

9 Standard EN388:2003
Gloves giving protection from mechanical risks
  
10 Standard EN407:2004
Gloves giving protection from thermal hazards
  
11 Standard EN511:2006
Gloves giving protection from cold
  
11 Standard EN421:2010
Gloves giving protection from radioactive contamination and ionising radiation

12 Guardian™ – Maximising safety & performance

A greater commitment to health and safety

Ansell supports the development and maintenance of the highest As a result, they have implemented a number of identical standards
hand protection standards to help improve the health and safety to those used in Europe.
at work for all workers.
For example, standard EN420 (AS/NZS 2161.2:1998) – Occupational
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Protective Gloves, General Requirements – defines requirements
Australian/New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) help classify specific for all protective gloves (except electrical and medical gloves) for
product attributes and communicate the quality and protection glove construction, cleaning, comfort and efficiency, marking
levels of personal protection equipment. and information.

The standards are designed to assist managers in the provision While the majority of the Australian/New Zealand occupational
and maintenance of workplace safety levels. glove standards are identical to the European standards, there
are instances where the European standard has been revised,
The elimination of health and safety workplace hazards is but the Australian/New Zealand standard has not been changed.
mandated by government legislation. Where they cannot be
eliminated, employers are responsible for reducing hazards This is why, for example, the protection against cold standard
to a minimum as is reasonably practical. AS/NZS 2161.5:1998 is not the same as the European cold
standard EN511:2006.
Ansell is dedicated to supporting the highest available regulatory
standards. Many countries across the Asia-Pacific region have The requirements are similar but the two standards use different
adopted the established European Union (EN) standards for their testing methodologies.
own use.

EN protection standards

Chemical protection Cold protection Mechanical protection

Low chemical resistance Radioactive contamination Micro-organisms

Heat protection Ionizing radiation

Above is a guide to pictograms used for the EN standards.

Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves 1

 Know your EN standards

Making gloves that work as hard as you do is the code we live by.
Knowing the EN standards is essential as it tells you which Ansell
glove works best for which application. Use this guide to build your
knowledge bank of the EN standards we use at Ansell.

When buying industrial gloves, an understanding of the numeric

codes and symbols used for specifying protection levels in the
standards is recommended.

Each requirement, such as abrasion resistance, is represented

by a symbol and a number stamped on the glove.

The higher the number, the higher level of protection.

The figures are derived from specific tests for attributes such
as cut resistance.

However, it must be noted that laboratory test results cannot exactly

replicate real-world working environments and therefore should
be regarded as advisory in nature only.

Test results should not be interpreted as meaning a glove

is definitely suitable for a specific application or not.

To demonstrate a particular glove’s ‘fit for purpose’, Ansell

recommends practical trials.

Our view is that operational testing and evaluation must be a

critical component of any thorough risk-assessment process
when selecting an industrial glove.

Your Ansell Sales Manager is well equipped to provide advice

and consultation.

For more information, please contact your dedicated Ansell

Sales Manager or Customer Service 1800 337 041.

2 Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves

Explaining the three risk categories according to EN legislation

The PPE directive 89/687/EEC specifies two classes of glove

meeting two levels of risk: ‘minimal’ and ‘mortal’ or ‘irreversible’
risk. A risk which falls between the two levels may be described as
‘intermediate’. A system of marking has been developed to identify
the level of risk to help you select gloves of the appropriate class.

Category I: Gloves of simple design

For minimal risk only
For gloves of simple design offering protection from low level risks,
e.g. janitorial gloves, manufacturers are permitted to test and certify
gloves internally (i.e. there is no requirement for testing and
certification by an independent body).

Category II: Gloves of intermediate design

For intermediate risk
Gloves designed to protect against intermediate risk, e.g. general
handling gloves requiring good cut, puncture and abrasion
performance, must be subjected to independent testing and
certification by a notified body. Only these approved bodies
may issue a CE mark, without which the gloves may not be sold.
Each notified body has its own identification number. The name
and address of the notified body that certifies the product has to
appear on the instructions for use that will accompany the gloves.
Gloves of this category are CE marked as follows:

Category III: Gloves of complex design

For irreversible or mortal risk
Gloves designed to protect against the highest levels of risk
e.g. chemicals, must also be tested and certified by a notified
body. In addition, the quality assurance system used by the
manufacturer to guarantee homogeneity of production or
the quality consistency testing of the final product must be
independently checked. The body carrying out this evaluation
will be identified by a number which must appear alongside
the CE mark (in this case, 0493). Gloves of complex design
are CE marked as follows:

0493

Note: The original PPE Directive 89/686/EEC has been amended by both the 93/95/EEC Directive and the CE marking Directives 93/68/EEC and 95/58/EEC.

Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves 3

 Standard EN420:2003
General requirements for protective gloves
Relevant Australian standard: AS/NZS 2161.2:1998

Scope Cleaning instructions

This standard defines the general requirements for glove design If care instructions are provided, the levels of performance
and construction, innocuousness, comfort and efficiency, marking should not be reduced after the maximum recommended
and information applicable to all protective gloves. This standard number of cleaning cycles.
can also apply to arm guards.
Electrostatic properties
The key points are given below. Some gloves designed for very • Anti-static gloves that are designed to reduce the risk of
specialist applications, such as electrician’s or surgical gloves are, electrostatic discharges shall be tested as per EN1149.
governed by other stringent job-specific standards.
• Obtained test values are to be reported on the instructions
for use.
Definition
A glove is an item of personal protective equipment which protects • An electrostatic pictogram shall not be used.
the hand or any part of the hand from hazards. It may also cover
part of the forearm and arm. Sizing
Gloves that are below the minimum length are to be called
A performance level is a number (between 0 and 4) which shows ‘fit for special purpose’. See ‘Sizing of gloves’ table on page 5.
how a glove has performed in a specific test, and by which the
results of that testing may be graded. Level 0 indicates that the Dexterity
glove is either untested or falls below the minimum performance
level. A performance level X means that the test method is not If required, performance to be graded as per the ‘Glove dexterity’
suitable for the glove sample. Higher numbers indicate higher table on page 5.
levels of performance.
Water vapour transmission and absorption
Requirements • If required, gloves shall allow water vapour transmission
(5mg/cm2.h).
Glove construction and design
• Gloves have to offer the greatest possible degree of protection • If gloves exclude water vapour transmission, it should
in the foreseeable conditions of end use. be at least 8mg/cm2 for eight hours.

• When seams are included, the strength of these seams should

not reduce the overall performance of the glove.

Innocuousness
• The gloves themselves shouldn’t cause any harm to the user.
• pH of the glove should be between 3.5 and 9.5.
• Chromium (VI) content should be below detection (<3 ppm).
• Natural rubber gloves shall be tested on extractable proteins
as per EN455-3.

4 Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves

Marking and information Glove dexterity
Marking of the glove
Each glove should be marked with:
Performance level Smallest diameter*

• Name of manufacturer. 1 11.0

• Glove and size designation.
2 9.5
• CE mark.
• Appropriate pictograms accompanied by the relevant 3 8.0
performance levels and the reference of the EN standard.
4 6.5

The marking should be legible throughout the life of the glove. 5 5.0
Where marking of the glove is not possible in view of the
characteristics of the glove, it should be mentioned on the *Pin that can be picked up with gloved hand three times/30 seconds (mm).
first packaging enclosure.
Sizing of gloves
Marking of the packaging immediately containing
the gloves Glove Fits Hand Minimum
• Name and address of the manufacturer or representative. size hand circumference/ length of the
size length (mm) glove (mm)
• Glove and size designation.
• CE mark. 6 6 152/160 220
• Usage info
7 7 178/171 230
- simple design: ‘for minimal risks only’ or
- intermediate design or complex design: relevant pictograms. 8 8 203/182 240
• When protection is limited to part of the hand, this shall be
9 9 229/192 250
mentioned (e.g. ‘palm protection style only’).
• Reference to where information can be obtained. 10 10 254/204 260

Instructions for use (to be supplied when the glove 11 11 279/215 270
is placed on the market)
• Name and address of the manufacturer or representative. A glove sizing chart has been provided overleaf.
• Glove designation.
All gloves with a cuff are colour coded for size
• Size range available. identification as below
• CE mark.
• Care and storage instruction.
Glove Glove Overedge Overedge colour
size size colour for Vantage® and
• Instructions and limitations of use. ProFood™
• A list of substances used in the glove which are known
6 XS Purple Brown
to cause allergies.
• A list of all substances in the glove shall be made available 7 S Red Green
upon request.
8 M Yellow White
• Name and address of notified body that certified the product.
9 L Brown Brown

10 XL Black Black

11 XXL Light blue

Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves 5

 Standard EN420:2003 continued
General requirements for protective gloves
Relevant Australian standard: AS/NZS 2161.2:1998

Glove sizing chart

Ordering the right size is the best way
to assure that gloves are comfortable.
Place your right hand palm down on the
drawing with your fingers together. Your
index finger should be aligned with the
blue line (but not over it), your thumb
crotch placed correspondingly to the
portrayed hand.

Size as indicated by the width of your

hand. Read your size on the colour lines.

6 Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves

Standard EN374:2003
Gloves giving protection from chemicals and micro-organisms
Relevant Australian standard: AS/NZS 2161.10:2005

Scope
Performance Acceptable Inspection
This standard specifies the capability of gloves to protect the user
level quality level unit levels
against chemicals and/or micro-organisms.
Level 3 <0.65 G1
Definitions
Penetration Level 2 <1.5 G1

Penetration is the movement of a chemical and/or micro-organism Level 1 <4.0 S4

through porous materials, seams, pinholes or other imperfections
in a protective glove material at a non-molecular level.

Permeation
The rubber and plastic films in gloves do not always act as barriers
to liquids. Sometimes they can act as sponges, soaking up the
liquids and holding them against the skin. It is therefore necessary
to measure breakthrough times, or the time taken for the hazardous
liquid to come in contact with the skin.

Requirements
• The minimum liquid-proof section of the glove shall be at least
equal to the minimum length of the gloves specified in EN420.
• Penetration: A glove shall not leak when tested with an air and
water leak test, and shall be tested and inspected in compliance
with the acceptable quality level.

Warning: The chemical data information does not necessarily reflect the actual duration in the workplace.

Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves 7

 Standard EN374:2003 continued
Gloves giving protection from chemicals and micro-organisms
Relevant Australian standard: AS/NZS 2161.10:2005

The ‘chemical resistant’ glove pictogram must be accompanied by a minimum three digit code. This code refers to the code
letters of the chemicals (from a list of 12 standard defined chemicals), for which a breakthrough time of at least 30 minutes
has been obtained.

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

Permeation
Each chemical tested is classified in terms of breakthrough time (performance level 0 to 6).

Measured Protection
breakthrough time index

>10 minutes Class 1

>30 minutes Class 2

>60 minutes Class 3

>120 minutes Class 4

>240 minutes Class 5

>480 minutes Class 6

The ‘low chemical resistant’ or ‘waterproof’ glove pictogram is to be used for those gloves that do not achieve a breakthrough
time of at least 30 minutes against at least three chemicals from the defined list, but which comply with the penetration test.

The ‘micro-organism’ pictogram is to be used when the glove conforms to at least a performance level 2 for the penetration test.

Check the chemical glove

www.ansellasiapacific.com/chemical-glove-guide and click on the ‘Search’ tab.

8 Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves

Standard EN388:2003
Gloves giving protection from mechanical risks
Relevant Australian standard: AS/NZS 2161.3:1998

Scope
This standard applies to all kinds of protective gloves in respect of physical and mechanical aggressions caused by abrasion, blade cut,
puncture and tearing.

Definition and requirements

Protection against mechanical hazards is expressed by a pictogram followed by four numbers (performance levels), each representing test
performance against a specific hazard.

The ‘mechanical risks’ pictogram is accompanied by a four digit code.

abcd

a. Abrasion resistance
Based on the number of cycles required to abrade through the sample glove.

b. Blade cut resistance

Based on the number of cycles required to cut through the sample at a constant speed.

c. Tear resistance
Based on the amount of force required to tear the sample.

d. Puncture resistance
Based on the amount of force required to pierce the sample with a standard-sized point.

Test Performance level rating

0 1 2 3 4 5
a. Abrasion resistance (cycles) <100 100 500 2,000 8,000

b. Blade cut resistance (factor) <1.2 1.2 2.5 5.0 10.0 20.0

c. Tear resistance (newton) <10 10 25 50 75

d. Puncture resistance (newton) <20 20 60 100 150

In all cases above, 0 indicates the lowest level of performance.

These performance levels must be prominently displayed alongside the pictogram on the gloves and on the packaging which immediately
contains the gloves.

Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves 9

 Standard EN407:2004
Gloves giving protection from thermal hazards
Relevant Australian standard: AS/NZS 2161.4:1999

Scope
This standard specifies thermal performance for protective gloves against heat and/or fire.

Definition and requirements

The nature and degree of protection is shown by a pictogram followed by a series of six performance levels, relating to specific
protective qualities.

The ‘heat and flame’ pictogram is accompanied by a six digit number:

a. Flammability resistance (performance level 0 to 4)
Based on the length of time the material continues to burn and glow after the source of ignition is removed. The seams of the
abcdef glove shall not come apart after an ignition time of 15 seconds.

b. Contact heat resistance (performance level 0 to 4)

Based on the temperature range (100-500 °C) at which the user will feel no pain for at least 15 seconds. If an EN level 3 or
higher is obtained, the product shall record at least EN level 3 in the flammability test. Otherwise, the maximum contact heat
level shall be reported as level 2.

c. Convective heat resistance (performance level 0 to 4)

Based on the length of time the glove is able to delay the transfer of heat from a flame. A level of performance shall only
be mentioned if a performance level 3 or 4 is obtained in the flammability test.

d. Radiant heat resistance (performance level 0 to 4)

Based on the length of time the glove is able to delay the transfer of heat when exposed to a radiant heat source.
A performance level shall only be mentioned if a performance level 3 or 4 is obtained in the flammability test.

e. Resistance to small splashes of molten metal (performance level 0 to 4)

The number of molten metal drops required to heat the glove sample to a given level. A performance level shall only
be mentioned if a performance level 3 or 4 is obtained in the flammability test.

f. Resistance to large quantities of molten metal (performance level 0 to 4)

The weight of molten metal required to cause smoothing or pinholing across a simulated skin placed directly behind
the glove sample. The test is failed if metal droplets remain stuck to the glove material or if the specimen ignites.

Gloves must achieve at least performance level 1 for abrasion and tear.

10 Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves

Standard EN511:2006
Gloves giving protection from thermal hazards
Relevant Australian standard: AS/NZS 2161.5:1998

Scope
This standard applies to any gloves to protect the hands against convective and contact cold down to -50 °C.

Definition and requirements

Protection against cold is expressed by a pictogram followed by a series of three performance levels, relating to specific protective qualities.

The ‘cold hazard’ pictogram is accompanied by a three digit number:

A. Resistance to convective cold (performance level 0 to 4)
Based on the thermal insulation properties of the glove which are obtained by measuring the transfer of cold via convection.

B. Resistance to contact cold (performance level 0 to 4)

Based on the thermal resistance of the glove material when exposed to contact with a cold object.

C. Penetration by water (0 or 1)
0 = water penetration.
1 = no water penetration.

All gloves must achieve at least performance level 1 for abrasion and tear.

Standard EN421:2010
Gloves giving protection from radioactive contamination and ionising radiation
Relevant Australian standard: AS/NZS 2161.8:2002

Scope
This standard applies to gloves to protect from ionising radiation and radioactive contamination.

Definition and requirements

The nature of protection is shown by a pictogram relating to the specific protective qualities.

• To protect from radioactive contamination, the glove has to be liquid proof and needs to pass the penetration test defined in EN374.
• For gloves used in containment enclosures, the glove shall pass in addition a specific air pressure leak test.
• Materials may be modelled by their behaviour to ozone cracking. This test is optional and can be used as an aid to selecting gloves.

• To protect from ionising radiation, the glove has to contain a certain amount of lead or equivalent metal, quoted as lead
equivalence. This lead equivalence must be marked on each glove.

Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves 11

 Maximising Safety & Performance
Ansell, a global leader in barrier protective products, presents the Guardian™ solution.
It is a unique suite of management tools helping businesses maximise safety, efficiency
and productivity.

www.ansellguardian.com

12 Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves

 at a glance
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a customised, personal approach the areas that are important to methodology for analysing these
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systematic and quantifiable way, improvement.

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dispensing, usage, recycling number of SKUs used and to ensure
and disposal procedures. optimal product selection across like
job applications, across multiple site
Assessment – increase safety
locations.
performance and acceptance.
CONTROLS

Assessment Standardisation
SKU Management – reduce
waste and eliminate unnecessary
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PRODUCTIVITY
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Advance Performance –
matching the appropriate PPE
Productivity – improve output
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to the customer. Training – educate employees in
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Key benefits
Increased employee safety Productivity
Reduced hand injuries and injury costs: Maximised glove performance for each application:

• Increased safety awareness of your workforce. • Adapted protection by type of risks.

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Ansell Occupational | A Guide to EN Standards for Gloves 13

 Australia: Level 3, 678 Victoria Street, Richmond, Victoria 3121
Telephone: 1800 337 041 Facsimile: 1800 803 578
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