Standards and labels

• EN ISO 374-5:2016

  Test results

  Micro-organisms Bacteria & Fungi

  EN ISO 374-5:2016 is a standard that defines the requirements for gloves to protect against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms, including bacteria and fungi. The test results indicating protection against Bacteria & Fungi confirm that the gloves have effectively passed the necessary evaluations to guard against these types of micro-organisms. The test method used assesses the glove's resistance to penetration and permeation by micro-organisms. The glove material undergoes specific challenges designed to ensure that pathogens such as bacteria and fungi cannot penetrate or permeate through the material under standard testing conditions. Practical implications of these results include assurance that gloves certified under this standard provide health professionals and others exposed to biohazards with a reliable barrier against potential infections caused by bacteria and fungi, which is crucial for both healthcare settings and lab environments.

• EN ISO 374-1:2016

  Test results

  Specified Requirements Type B

  The EN ISO 374-1:2016 standard specifies requirements for gloves intended to protect against chemicals and micro-organisms. A glove that achieves a Type B test result in this standard offers resistance to at least three chemicals, with a breakthrough time of at least 30 minutes for each chemical tested. This test involves subjecting the gloves to chemicals and measuring the time it takes for the chemicals to penetrate through the material. Practical implications for this test result entail selecting gloves categorized under Type B for environments where exposure to specific hazardous chemicals for durations not exceeding 30 minutes is anticipated. This makes the gloves suitable for certain chemical handling tasks within specified limits, assuring a protective barrier during the exposure period.

• EN 420:2003+A1:2009

  EN 420:2003+A1:2009 is a European standard that sets out the general requirements for hand protection, including comfort, fit, and dexterity. Performance requirements include resistance to abrasion, cut, tear, puncture, and impact. Test results should show the gloves meet these requirements.

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• 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

  Abrasion Resistance Level 1

  In the EN 388:2016 standard, the Abrasion Resistance result Level 1 signifies that the tested gloves or protective materials can withstand 100 cycles of sandpaper abrasion under pressure, before developing a hole. This is considered the lowest performance level in abrasion resistance according to the standard. Generally, Level 1 abrasion resistance would be underperforming for tasks that involve frequent contact with abrasive surfaces, and might be more suitable for situations where light abrasion is the primary risk. Higher numbers (up to 4) in this test indicate stronger abrasion resistance.

  Cut Resistance, Coup Test Level 0

  The EN 388:2016 standard specifies requirements and test methods for protective gloves in relation to physical and mechanical aggressions due to abrasion, blade cut, tear, puncture, and impact resistance. A Cut Resistance Level 0 result in this standard implies that the protective gloves under assessment offer very minimal to no protection against cutting hazards. The Coup Test, utilized to determine this result, involves rotating a circular blade under constant pressure against the glove material until it is cut through. This test specifically assesses how well glove materials can withstand cutting forces from a sharp, circular blade. For procurement professionals, this result indicates that gloves with a Cut Resistance Level 0 are unsuitable for environments where there is a risk of hand injuries from sharp objects as they provide the lowest level of cut resistance under EN 388:2016.

  Tear Resistance Level 1

  EN 388:2016 is a European standard that outlines the testing requirements for gloves to determine their level of protection against mechanical hazards, including tear resistance. The Tear Resistance Level 1 classification signifies that the gloves offer basic protection against tearing. The test method involves applying a force to a sample of the glove material to tear it, and the force measured reflects the glove's ability to resist tearing. Level 1 tear resistance means the gloves can withstand a force of between 10 to 25 Newtons before tearing. This basic level of protection is suitable for tasks where there is a minimal risk of tearing due to light manual handling or where gloves are used to prevent scratches or minor abrasions. Gloves with Level 1 tear resistance are appropriate for general activities that do not involve handling sharp or jagged materials.

  Puncture Resistance Level 0

  EN 388:2016 specifies safety glove standards, including puncture resistance. The test result Level 0 in puncture resistance indicates that the product does not meet the minimal requirements set by the standard for protecting against punctures. The test method used involves using a standardized stylus with a specified force applied to the glove material. This is measured by the amount of force needed before the stylus punctures through the glove material. A Level 0 result signifies that the glove failed to provide any standardized level of protection during the testing procedure, which means it is not suitable for environments where puncture resistance is required for safety purposes .

  Cut Resistance, ISO 13997 Level X

  The standard EN 388:2016, specifically its segment referring to ISO 13997 test, is designed to assess the cut resistance of materials used in protective gloves. A result denoted as 'Level X' means that test is not performed and the cut resistance of the product cannot be guaranteed.

• EN ISO 21420:2020

  EN ISO 21420:2020 is a European standard that sets out the general requirements for hand protection, including comfort, fit, and dexterity.

  Test results

  General Requirements Guide

• EN 16523-1:2015

  EN 16523-1:2015 is a European standard that defines the performance requirements and test methods for automatic towel dispensers. It sets guidelines for how much towel should come out, how high the nozzle should be, and how hard it should be to activate the dispenser. The test results should show that the dispenser meets these guidelines.

  Test results

  Permeation Contact Tested

  EN 16523-1:2015 provides the methodology for determining the resistance of materials used in protective clothing to permeation by chemicals under continuous contact. The designation 'Tested' signifies that the material has been evaluated for its ability to prevent chemical penetration over a specified duration and under certain conditions. The test method involves placing the test chemical in contact with the material and measuring the rate at which the chemical passes through to the other side, simulating exposure scenarios where chemicals might come into continuous contact with the protective gear. Materials that have undergone this testing are crucial for industries such as chemical manufacturing, healthcare, and laboratory work, where workers are exposed to hazardous substances. This certification ensures that the protective clothing provides a reliable barrier against chemical risks, enhancing safety and compliance with health and safety regulations.

• EN ISO 374-4:2019

  EN ISO 374-4:2019 is a standard that sets the rules for gloves that protect against dangerous chemicals and microorganisms. It tells how gloves should be made, what materials should be used, and how they should be tested. Possible test results include how well the gloves keep out chemicals, how long they last and how well they protect the hands. This standard focus on the use of gloves against specific microorganisms and chemicals, and specifies the performance requirements and test methods for gloves protecting against viral penetration.

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• 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 3

  PPE stands for "personal protective equipment." PPE Category 3 refers to equipment that is complex and provide the highest level of protection such as powered respirators, SCBA, and full body suits. In Europe, PPE Category 3 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, have to be audited regularly by a notified body and have to have a technical documentation.

• Food Safe

  Food safe refers to the safety of food products that are used or consumed by people. In Europe, food safety is regulated by the European Union (EU) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). These organizations set standards and requirements for food products to ensure they are safe to eat. To be considered "food safe" in Europe, a product must meet these standards and be free of harmful substances. This includes being free of harmful bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants. Food products that do not meet these standards cannot be sold or used in the EU.