Ansell Ringers 080

Standards and labels

• EN 511:2006

  EN 511:2006 is a European standard that sets requirements for the protection against cold for gloves and mittens. It covers factors such as resistance to cold, water penetration and breathability. Testing must be done by a certified lab and must show that the product meets all requirements of the standard. Possible test results would include pass/fail for each requirement, as well as specific measurement data.

  Test results

  Convective Cold Level 0

  EN 511:2006 is a European standard that specifies the requirements and test methods for gloves protecting against cold. A result of Level 0 in the Convective Cold test indicates that the gloves did not provide any significant insulation against convective cold, meaning they failed this part of the test. According to this standard, testing for Convective Cold involves placing the tested gloves in a controlled cold environment where cold air is circulated around them to simulate the effect of cold winds. The glove's ability to prevent heat loss under these conditions is then measured, wherein a higher score represents better insulation from cold air. A Level 0 result implies that gloves under this classification do not offer protection against the loss of heat from convection, making them unsuitable for environments where cold wind is a factor. This information is critical for procurement professionals to ensure that they select gloves with adequate resistance to convective cold for environments requiring such protection .

  Water Tightness Level 1

  EN 511:2006 is a European standard focused on testing the water tightness of protective gloves against penetration by water. Its purpose is to ensure that protective gloves offer adequate resistance to water. A Level 1 rating in water tightness signifies that the gloves provide basic protection against water penetration, though they may not be suitable for prolonged exposure to wet conditions. The test method involves placing the gloves on a hand-shaped form, filling them with water, and then observing for any signs of leakage over a specified period. Practical implications of this result for the product category include indicating that the gloves offer some degree of protection against water exposure, making them suitable for use in mildly wet or cold environments where only limited exposure to water is expected. However, they may not be suitable for prolonged exposure to heavy rainfall or immersion in water.

  Cold Contact Level 1

  The standard EN 511:2006 specifies requirements for protective gloves that guard against cold environments. Cold contact performance Level 1 indicates a glove's level of protection against transmitted cold via physical contact with cold objects. For Level 1 specifically, the thermal resistance level must be above 0.025 but less than 0.050 m²°C/W. The test for this rating, known as the Contact Cold Test, involves placing the glove material on metal plates that have been pre-cooled to different specific temperatures. The temperature drop across the test sample is then measured to determine how effectively the glove insulates against cold. In practical terms, a glove achieving Level 1 in cold contact provides minimal thermal insulation, suitable for environments where exposure to slight cold is expected but not extreme cold conditions .

• EN 388:2016

  EN 388:2016 is a European standard for measuring the performance of protective gloves against mechanical risks (abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture). The standard includes test methods and performance requirements for gloves to be considered compliant. Test results are reported using a series of four numbers, each representing the performance level achieved in one of the tests.

  Test results

  Tear Resistance Level 4

  EN 388:2016 is a European standard that establishes criteria for assessing the protection provided by gloves against mechanical hazards, including tear resistance. The Tear Resistance Level 4 classification represents the highest level of tear resistance defined by this standard, indicating that the gloves can withstand the most substantial forces before tearing. According to the testing methodology, gloves are evaluated by measuring the force required to tear a sample of the glove material, with Level 4 requiring a force of over 75 Newtons to initiate and propagate a tear. This high level of tear resistance is ideal for use in environments where gloves are subjected to significant stress and potential damage, such as in heavy industry, construction, and handling of materials with sharp edges. Gloves achieving this level offer superior durability and are essential for ensuring user safety in high-risk mechanical settings, thereby enhancing work efficiency and reducing the frequency of glove replacement.

  Puncture Resistance Level 3

  The European Norm (EN) 388:2016 standard includes guidelines for assessing the puncture resistance of gloves, where a Puncture Resistance result of Level 3 signifies that the glove material can withstand a force of between 100 to 149 Newtons before being punctured. This result is crucial for ensuring that gloves provide an adequate level of protection against punctures when used in moderate risk environments, offering users safety from potentially harmful sharp objects. The test procedure for determining this metric involves measuring the amount of force required to puncture the glove using a standard-sized stylus. The stylus is pressed against the glove material at a constant speed until a puncture occurs. The weight needed to achieve the puncture is then recorded as the glove's puncture resistance level. For procurement professionals, this result implies that gloves rated at this level are suitable for tasks where there is a significant risk of encountering puncturing hazards, such as handling building materials, waste management, or assembly line work involving mid-level sharp objects.

  Abrasion Resistance Level 4

  EN 388:2016 uses a specific test method to measure abrasion resistance of safety gloves; the gloves’ material is subjected to sandpaper under pressure to observe the number of cycles needed to wear through the material. Level 4 in this standard indicates that the material withstood 8,000 cycles before a hole was made. Practically, this means that gloves rated at Level 4 for abrasion resistance offer very high resilience against wearing through, making them suitable for tasks involving significant contact with rough surfaces .

  Cut Resistance, ISO 13997 Level F

  The EN ISO 13997 cut resistance test, stipulated in the standard EN 388:2016, includes Level F in its rating which represents a force greater than 30 Newtons before the material is penetrated by a blade. Level F indicates excellent performance in terms of resistance to cutting, protecting against extremely sharp objects. This test is conducted using a TDM machine where a single-use straight edge blade is drawn just once across the material in a linear direction until it cuts through. The force required to penetrate the material is then measured and recorded. In practical applications, Level F cut-resistant gloves are suitable for high-risk environments such as heavy metal stamping, waste management, and glass handling, where handling extremely sharp objects and materials is common. Gloves meeting this high standard of cut resistance ensure maximum protection and durability under severe conditions.

  Impact Protection P – Passed

• Ecovadis

  Ecovadis rating and certification system is used in Europe to evaluate and recognize companies' sustainability performance. It is focused on the supply chain and evaluates companies on environmental, social and ethical criteria, such as environmental protection, labor practices, and fair business practices. The requirements for getting an Ecovadis certification will depend on the specific category of business and industry, but typically include providing information on the company's sustainability practices, policies and performance, and undergoing an assessment by an independent auditor.

• CE Marking

  CE Marking is a label that shows a product meets certain safety and environmental standards set by the European Union. To get the CE Marking, a company must test and certify their product meets these standards. CE Marking is required for many products sold in the EU, including electronics, machinery, toys and medical devices. It helps ensure that products are safe for consumers and the environment, and allows for easy trade within the EU.

• PPE Category 2

  PPE stands for "personal protective equipment." PPE Category 2 refers to equipment that is more complex, and has a higher level of risk. Examples of PPE Category 2 include safety helmets, ear protection, and fall arrest equipment. In Europe, PPE Category 2 must meet certain safety standards set by the European Union, which means that it must be designed and manufactured to protect the user without causing harm. Companies that make or sell PPE must prove that it meets these standards. They also must have a quality management system in place and have to be audited regularly by a notified body.