CEN/TC 162/WG 8 - Protective gloves

This document gives information on the selection and use of personal protective equipment for the hand protection.
The application of this document requires that the risk assessment has been carried out and the hazards have been minimized accordingly through substitution and technical and organizational measures.
On this basis, this document contains information that supports employers in counteracting certain risks to hands that could not be sufficiently reduced by substitution and technical and organizational measures by selecting and using suitable protective gloves.
This document provides explanations on selection, usage and training applicable to protective gloves. The explanations concerning specific hazards are provided in annexes.
This guidance considers the following risks:
    mechanical, (see Annex A);
    chemical, (see Annex B);-    biological, (see Annex C);    thermal, (see Annex D and E);
    electrostatic discharge (see Annex F);
    ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination (see Annex G).
This guidance does not cover other risks, because pertinent international or national publications are available or because the relevant information was not available in ISO/TC 94/SC 13/WG 8. Risks not covered include e.g.:
    cuts and stabs by hand knives;
    use of chain saws (covered by ISO 11393-4:2018, Annex A);
    animal bites;
    needlesticks;
    electrocution;
    optical radiation;
    vibrations;
    electric fault arcs;
    firefighting (covered by ISO/TR 21808);
    sport.

This document specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information for protective gloves and other hand protective equipment’s against thermal risks for professional use, consumer, domestic use.
This document is also applicable to arm protective equipment.
It is used for all gloves and other hand protective equipment’s which protect the hands or part of the hand against heat and/or fire in one or more of the following forms: flame, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes or large quantities of molten metal.
This standarddocument is only applicable in conjunction with EN ISO 21420:2020.
This document doesn’tdoes not apply to gloves for fire-fighters or welding that have their own standards.

This document specifies the general requirements and relevant test procedures for glove design and construction, innocuousness, comfort and efficiency, as well as the marking and information supplied by the manufacturer applicable to all protective gloves.
It can also apply to arm protectors and gloves permanently incorporated in containment enclosures.
Gloves and hand protectors such as mittens, pot holders and arm protection are covered by this document.
This document does not address the protective properties of gloves and therefore is not used alone but only in combination with the appropriate specific standard(s). A non-exhaustive list of these standards is given in the Bibliography.

This document specifies a test method for the penetration resistance of gloves that protect against dangerous chemicals and/or micro-organisms.

This document specifies the test method for the determination of the resistance of protective glove materials to degradation by dangerous chemicals with continuous contact.
NOTE       Annex A gives information on interlaboratory test results on this method.
It is preferable that other tests used in addition to the evaluation of chemical resistance such as permeation resistance and penetration, as the chemical test do not provide sufficient information on the physical property changes affecting a glove during exposure to a chemical. It is necessary that the outside surface of the glove be exposed to the chemical.

This European Standard specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information to be supplied for protective gloves against the mechanical risks of abrasion, blade cut, tear, puncture and, if applicable, impact.
This standard is intended to be used in conjunction with EN 420.
The test methods developed in this standard may also be applicable to arm protectors.

2021-01-12-JO-Formal Objection for the OJEU citation in support of the PPE Regulation

ISO 374-5:2016 specifies the requirements and test methods for protective gloves intended to protect the user against micro-organisms.
NOTE          If other protection features is to be needed, e.g. chemical risks, mechanical risks, thermal risks, electrostatic dissipation etc., the appropriate specific performance standard is to be used in addition. Further information on protective gloves standards can be found in the EN 420.

ISO 374-1:2016 specifies the requirements for protective gloves intended to protect the user against dangerous chemicals and defines terms to be used.
NOTE          If other protection features have to be covered, e.g. mechanical risks, thermal risks, electrostatic dissipation etc., the appropriate specific performance standard is to be used in addition. Further information on protective gloves standards can be found in the EN 420.

This document specifies a test method for the determination of Dimethylformamide (DMFa – CAS N° 68-12-2) in glove materials.
NOTE   For Dimethylformamide the following abbreviations can be used: DMF, DMFa DMFo.
The test method is applicable for the following materials:
-   polyurethane (PU) materials (except elastane), PU Coated material (textile, leather), PU foam, PU blended materials;
-   adhesives;
-   all materials manufactured with a dipping process using DMFa.

This European Standard provides additional requirements for protective gloves that are worn in areas where flammable or explosive areas exist or might be present (see IEC 60079-32-1). It specifies a test method and requirements for performance, marking and information for electrostatic dissipative protective gloves to minimize explosion risks.
This European Standard does not cover:
-   protection of electronic devices;
-   protection against mains voltages;
-   insulative protective gloves for live working (EN 60903);
-   protective gloves for welders (EN 12477).
The requirements may not be sufficient in oxygen enriched flammable atmospheres.
This European Standard should be used with the specific standards applicable to the risks for which the glove is designed.
NOTE   The electrostatic dissipative protective gloves are effective only if the wearer is earthed through a resistance lower than108 Ω.

This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for gloves to protect against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination. The standard is applicable to gloves offering protection to the hand and various parts of the arm and shoulder. It applies also to gloves to be mounted in permanent containment enclosures.
This European Standard also applies to intermediary sleeves used between a glove and a permanent containment enclosure (report to 4.7.2.3).
The requirements of this European Standard do not apply to protective gloves against X-ray radiation.

TC - Correction of Figure 1 in the English language version

This standard defines minimum performance requirements and test methods for firefighters' protective gloves.
This standard applies only to firefighters' protective gloves which protect the hands during normal firefighting, including search and rescue.
These gloves are not intended for deliberate handling of liquid chemicals, but provide some protection against accidental contact with chemicals.
Protective gloves for special operations within firefighting service are excluded from the scope of this standard.

This European Standard specifies the requirements and test methods for gloves which protect against convective and conductive cold down to –50 °C. This cold can be linked to the climatic conditions or an industrial activity. The specific values of the different performance levels are decided by the special requirements for each class of risk or the special areas of application. Product tests may only give performance levels and not levels of protection.

Add after the first sentence of the third paragraph:
The glove's material provides minimum electrical resistance up to 100V (AC or DC) for arc welding.
Add after the last sentence of the third paragraph the following warning notice:
WARNING: It is not meant to bring any protection in case of defective or wrong use of the welding equipment. It does not qualify the glove for protection against electrical shock where protective gloves designed according to EN 60903 shall be used.

This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for protective gloves for use in manual metal welding, cutting and allied processes.
Protective gloves for welders protect the hands and the wrists during the process of welding and related tasks.
Protective gloves for welders protect against small splashes of molten metal, short contact exposure to limited flame, convective heat and contact heat and U.V. radiation from the arc. Besides, they protect against mechanical aggressions.
According to their performance, protective gloves for welders are classified into two types :
- type A : lower dexterity (with higher other performance),
- type B : higher dexterity (with lower other performance).
Protective gloves for special welding processes are outside the scope of this standard.

This document specifies the requirements for protective gloves to protect the hairdressers, especially the risk against micro-organisms and dangerous chemicals, and defines terms to be used.

This document specifies the requirements for protective gloves intended to protect the user against dangerous chemicals and defines terms to be used.
NOTE            If other protection features are covered, e.g., mechanical risks, thermal risks, electrostatic dissipation etc., the appropriate specific performance standard is used in addition. Further information on protective gloves standards can be found in the ISO 21420.

This document specifies the requirements and test methods for protective gloves intended to protect the user against micro-organisms.
NOTE            If other protection features are needed, e.g. chemical risks, mechanical risks, thermal risks, electrostatic dissipation etc., the appropriate specific performance standard is used in addition. Further information on protective gloves standards can be found in the ISO 21420:2020+Amd 1:2022

This document specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information for protective gloves and other hand protective equipment’s against thermal risks for professional use, consumer, domestic use.
This document is also applicable to arm protective equipment.
It is used for all gloves and other hand protective equipment’s which protect the hands or part of the hand against heat and/or fire in one or more of the following forms: flame, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes or large quantities of molten metal.
This standarddocument is only applicable in conjunction with EN ISO 21420:2020.
This document doesn’tdoes not apply to gloves for fire-fighters or welding that have their own standards.

This document specifies requirements and test methods for protective gloves for use in manual metal welding, cutting and allied processes.
Protective gloves for welders protect the hands and the wrists during the process of welding and related tasks.
Protective gloves for welders protect against small splashes of molten metal, short contact exposure to limited flame, convective heat and contact heat and U.V. radiation from the arc. The glove’s material provides minimum electrical resistance up to 100 V (DC) for arc welding. Besides, they protect against mechanical aggressions.
WARNING - It is not meant to bring any protection in case of defective or wrong use of the welding equipment. It does not qualify the glove for protection against electrical shock where protective gloves designed according to EN 60903 shall be used.
According to their performance, protective gloves for welders are classified into two types:
-   Type A: lower dexterity (with higher other performance);
-   Type B: higher dexterity (with lower other performance).
Protective gloves for special welding processes are outside the scope of this document.

This document defines minimum performance requirements and test methods for firefighters' protective gloves.
This document applies only to firefighters' protective gloves which protect the hands during normal firefighting, including structural fire, wildland and rescue.
These gloves are not intended for deliberate handling of liquid chemicals, but provide some protection against accidental contact with chemicals.
Protective gloves for special operations within firefighting service are excluded from the scope of this document.

This International Standard establishes minimum performance, classification, and labelling requirements for
gloves worn by operators handling pesticide products. Gloves covered by this International Standard include
waterproof and chemical resistant gloves made with elastomeric and other air impermeable materials. This
standard does not address protection against fumigants or highly volatile liquids.

This standard specifies the requirements for gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms and defines terms to be used. This standard should be used in conjunction with EN 420.

Modification of EN 420:2003, clause 2, 4.3.3, and Annex B

This European Standard specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information to be supplied for protective gloves against the mechanical risks of abrasion, blade cut, tear, puncture and, if applicable, impact.
This standard is intended to be used in conjunction with EN 420.
The test methods developed in this standard may also be applicable to arm protectors.

Modification of Clause 2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.9 and 3.16 of EN 659:2003

This document specifies test methods, general requirements, levels of thermal performance and the marking for protective gloves against heat and/or fire. It should be used for all gloves which 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 or large quantities of molten metal.
There are other standards relevant to specific applications, as for example fire-fighting or welding.
Product tests may only give performance levels and not protection levels.

This standard defines the general requirements and relevant test procedures for glove design and construction, resistance of glove materials to water penetration, innocuousness, comfort and efficiency, marking and information supplied by the manufacturer applicable to all protective gloves.
NOTE   It can also be applicable to arm protectors and gloves permanently incorporated in containment enclosures.
This European Standard does not address the protective properties of gloves and therefore should not be used alone but only in combination with the appropriate specific European Standard(s).
A non exhaustive list of these standards is given in the Bibliography.

This European Standard specifies a test method for the penetration resistance of gloves that protect against dangerous chemicals and/or micro-organisms.

This European Standard specifies the test method for the determination of the resistance of protective glove materials to degradation by dangerous chemicals with continuous contact.
NOTE   Annex A gives information on interlaboratory test results on this method.
Other tests used to evaluate chemical resistance such as permeation resistance and penetration resistance may not provide sufficient information on the physical property changes affecting a glove during exposure to a chemical. It is necessary that the outside surface of the glove be exposed to the chemical.

This European Standard specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information to be supplied for protective gloves against the mechanical risks of abrasion, blade cut, tear, puncture and, if applicable, impact.
This standard is intended to be used in conjunction with EN 420.
The test methods developed in this standard may also be applicable to arm protectors.

This standard specifies the requirements for gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms and defines terms to be used.
This standard should be used in conjunction with EN 420.
This standard does not specify requirements for protection against any mechanical hazards.

This European Standard specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information to be supplied, for protective gloves against the mechanical risks of abrasion, blade cut, tear and puncture.
This standard is only applicable in conjunction with EN 420.
The test methods developed in this standard can also be applicable to arm protectors which are protective devices separate from the glove or the clothing.

TC - Replace Equation 4

This European Standard specifies the determination of the resistance of protective glove materials to permeation by potentially hazardous non-gaseous chemicals under the condition of continuous contact.
It is emphasised that the test does not represent conditions likely to be found in service, and the use of test data should be restricted to comparing materials chiefly on a relative basis in broad categories of breakthrough times.

This European Standard specifies a test method for the penetration resistance of gloves that protect against chemicals and/or micro-organisms.
At this time it is believed that gloves which resist penetration, when tested according to this Part of EN 374, will form an effective barrier to micro-biological hazards.

This standard specifies requirements and test methods for gloves to protect against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination. The standard is applicable to gloves offering protection to the hand and various parts of the arm and shoulder. It also applies to gloves to be mounted in permanent containment enclosures.

CMC - Replace figures in Table C.1 (editorial error)

This standard defines the general requirements and relevant test procedures for glove design and construction, resistance of glove materials to water penetration, innocuousness, comfort and efficiency, marking and information supplied by the manufacturer applicable to all protective gloves.
NOTE   It can also be applicable to arm protectors and gloves permanently incorporated in containment enclosures.
This European Standard does not address the protective properties of gloves and therefore should not be used alone but only in combination with the appropriate specific European Standard(s).
A non exhaustive list of these standards is given in the Bibliography.

This standard defines minimum performance requirements and test methods for firefighters' protective gloves. This standard applies only to firefighters' protective gloves which protect the hands during normal firefighting, including search and rescue. Protection against accidental contact with liquid chemicals is also provided by gloves complying with this standard. Protective gloves for special firefighting operations, such as those covered by EN 1486, are outside the scope of this standard.

This standard defines the requirements and text methods for gloves which protect against convective or conductive cold down - 50 øC. This cold can be linked to the climatic conditions or an industrial activity. The specific values of the different performance levels are decided by the special requirements for each class of risk or the special areas of application. Product tests can only be carried out for performance levels and not for levels of protection.

This standard specifies test methods, general requirements, levels of thermal performance and the marking for protective gloves against heat and/or fire. It is to be used for all gloves which 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 or large quantities of molten metal.  Product tests may only give performance levels and not protection levels.

This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For updated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies.

This standard defines the general requirements for ergonomics, glove construction, high visibility, innocuousness, cleaning, comfort and efficiency, marking and information applicable to all protective gloves.   It is also applicable to gloves permanently incorporated in containment enclosures.  It is not applicable to the following glove types:  a) Electrician's gloves (see EN 60903) b) Medical gloves (see EN 455)

This standard specifies a test method for the penetration resistance of gloves that protect against chemicals and/or micro-organisms.  At this time it is believed that gloves which resist penetration, when tested according to this part of EN 374, will form an effective barrier to microbiological hazards.

This standard covers the determination of the resistance of protective glove materials to permeation by potentially hazardous non-gaseous chemicals under the condition of continuous contact.   It is emphasized that the test does not represent conditions likely to be found in service, and the use of test data should be restricted to comparing materials chiefly on a relative basis in broad categories of breakthrough times.

This standard specifies the requirements for gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms and defines terms to be used.   This standard shall be used in conjunction with EN 420.  This standard does not specify requirements for protection against any mechanical hazards. However, there is a requirement for data to be reported on the following mechanical tests: Abrasion, blade cut, tearing resistance and puncture according to the test methods described in EN 388:1993, clauses 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 respectively.  This standard does not specify any requirements for protection against thermal or ionizing radiation hazards. If the use requires these types of protection, reference should be made to EN 407 and EN 421 respectively.