EN/EU STANDARDS
Learn about EN Standards to ensure your gear meets the highest safety and performance benchmarks.
CE Standards
The CE (Conformité Européene) standard is a set of regulations and requirements that govern the safety and performance of various products, including working gloves, within the European Union. The CE marking on a product indicates that it complies with the essential health, safety, and environmental protection standards defined by EU legislation.
For working gloves, the CE standard ensures that they meet specific criteria related to factors such as protection against mechanical risks (e.g., cuts, punctures), resistance to chemicals and microorganisms, thermal insulation, and ergonomics. Gloves that meet the CE standard have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation to demonstrate their compliance with these requirements.
By adhering to the CE standard, manufacturers ensure that their working gloves provide a certain level of protection and performance, giving users confidence in their safety and reliability. It is important to look for the CE marking when selecting working gloves, as it signifies that the product has been tested and meets the necessary standards for use in various industries and work environments.
EN388
EN 388 is a European standard that specifically focuses on the mechanical protection provided by working gloves. It assesses the gloves’ performance and resistance against various mechanical risks such as abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture.
The EN 388 standard assigns a numeric rating to gloves based on their performance in each of these categories. The higher the number, the greater the level of protection provided. For example, a glove with an EN 388 rating of 4543 signifies excellent resistance to abrasion (4), moderate resistance to cuts (5), good resistance to tear (4), and high resistance to puncture (3).
By using the EN 388 standard, employers, workers, and safety professionals can easily compare and select working gloves based on their specific mechanical protection needs. This standard ensures that gloves meet minimum requirements for different types of mechanical hazards, helping to reduce the risk of hand injuries in various industries and work activities.
It is important to note that while EN 388 focuses on mechanical protection, other standards may apply for gloves designed for specific hazards such as chemicals, heat, or electrical risks.
EN 388:2003 vs EN 388:2016: A Comparison
The EN 388:2003 and EN 388:2016 standards both assess the protection of gloves against mechanical risks like cuts, abrasion, tearing, and punctures. The 2016 update introduced key improvements, such as the more precise TDM-100 test for cut resistance, which measures how much force is needed to cut through the glove. It also adjusted the Coup Test to account for blade dulling and added an optional impact protection test for gloves with special padding. Overall, EN 388:2016 provides a more accurate and reliable way to evaluate glove safety, especially for high-cut-risk jobs.
EN420
EN 420 is a European standard that sets out the general requirements for working gloves. It focuses on aspects such as ergonomics, sizing, comfort, and labeling of gloves to ensure their overall quality and safety.
The standard covers several key areas, including:
- Sizing and Fit: EN 420 provides guidelines for glove manufacturers to ensure that their products come in a range of sizes that fit properly. Proper sizing is essential for comfort, dexterity, and overall hand protection.
- pH Value and Allergenicity: The standard includes requirements for the pH value of glove materials to ensure they are non-irritating to the skin. It also addresses potential allergenic substances, such as latex, to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.
- Dexterity and Flexibility: EN 420 specifies criteria to assess the gloves’ dexterity and flexibility, considering factors such as finger movement and grip performance. This ensures that the gloves allow for proper hand movement and control.
- Marking and Information: The standard mandates that gloves must be properly labeled with essential information, including the manufacturer’s name, glove size, and any applicable warnings or instructions for use.
By conforming to the EN 420 standard, glove manufacturers ensure that their products meet these general requirements, promoting comfort, safety, and usability for the wearer. When choosing working gloves, it is advisable to check for the EN 420 marking to ensure they comply with these essential guidelines.
EN407
EN 407 is a European standard that focuses on the performance of gloves in protecting against thermal hazards. It assesses the gloves’ resistance to heat, fire, and other related risks. The standard assigns a specific rating to gloves in several key areas related to thermal protection.
The performance levels assessed in EN 407 include:
- Burning behavior: This measures the time it takes for a glove to ignite and continue to burn once exposed to a flame.
- Contact heat resistance: It evaluates the glove’s ability to withstand contact with heated surfaces and provides a rating based on the duration of heat resistance.
- Convective heat resistance: This assesses the glove’s ability to withstand heat transfer through convection, such as exposure to hot air or gases.
- Radiant heat resistance: It measures the glove’s ability to protect against radiant heat sources, such as intense heat radiation.
- Resistance to small splashes of molten metal: This assesses the glove’s resistance to small splashes of molten metal and assigns a rating based on the number of splashes it can withstand.
- Resistance to large splashes of molten metal: This evaluates the glove’s resistance to larger splashes of molten metal and provides a rating based on the number of splashes it can withstand.
By conforming to the EN 407 standard, glove manufacturers ensure that their products meet the necessary requirements for thermal protection. This helps users in industries such as welding, foundries, and other environments with thermal hazards to select gloves that provide the appropriate level of protection against heat and flames. When choosing gloves for thermal hazards, it is important to look for the EN 407 marking to ensure they comply with the relevant standards.
CUT LEVELS OVERVIEW
Cut-resistant gloves are essential in industries where workers face risks of cuts and abrasions. These gloves are rated based on their ability to withstand cuts from sharp objects. Cut levels indicate the amount of protection a glove offers, and they are classified into different categories, usually determined by standardized tests. The higher the level, the more resistant the glove is to cuts.
There are several cut levels, generally ranked from Level 1 to Level 9. Each level represents how well the glove can protect against varying degrees of sharpness and force. For example, a glove with a Level 1 rating offers minimal protection and is suitable for light tasks, while a Level 9 glove provides the highest protection for extreme cutting risks, such as handling sharp metal sheets or heavy-duty tools.
ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 Cut Standard
The ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standard is a widely recognized standard in North America that rates gloves based on their cut resistance. The test used in this standard measures how many grams of pressure are required for a sharp blade to cut through the material. The result is a cut score, which is then classified into levels from A1 to A9.
The ANSI cut standard helps workers and employers select the right gloves based on the specific risks they face. Gloves are tested under controlled conditions, ensuring a consistent measure of protection. The 2016 update to this standard expanded the range of cut levels, making it easier to match gloves to high-risk tasks.
What is TDM (Tomodynamometer)?
TDM, short for Tomodynamometer, is a device used in cut resistance testing to measure the force required to cut through materials, such as gloves, using a sharp blade. In the context of safety standards like the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016, TDM is crucial for determining the cut resistance level of gloves.
The TDM machine applies a consistent force on a blade as it moves across the glove material. The amount of force needed to cut through the material is recorded in grams. This measurement is then used to assign a cut resistance level, ranging from Level A1 (lowest resistance) to Level A9 (highest resistance). The TDM test helps manufacturers create safer gloves for various industries by accurately assessing the material’s durability against sharp objects.
Levels of Cut Resistance: Level 1 to Level 9
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Level 1 (A1): Suitable for minimal risk tasks such as light assembly or warehouse work, providing protection against small nicks or cuts.
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Level 2 (A2): Offers slightly more protection, ideal for jobs like handling cardboard or small tools.
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Level 3 (A3): Provides moderate protection, suitable for packaging or general construction work.
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Level 4 (A4): Designed for medium-level risks, such as automotive work, where there is potential for moderate cuts.
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Level 5 (A5): For tasks that involve sharp objects, such as glass handling or metal fabrication.
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Level 6 (A6): Offers protection against high risks of cuts, commonly used in environments dealing with sharp blades or heavy-duty cutting.
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Level 7 (A7): Provides strong protection for more extreme cutting risks, such as in metalworking or heavy construction.
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Level 8 (A8): Designed for very high-risk jobs like handling extremely sharp or heavy materials.
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Level 9 (A9): Offers the highest level of cut protection, suitable for the most hazardous work environments like heavy industrial or metal fabrication work.
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