The EN407 standard specifies the test methods, the general requirements, the thermal performance and the labelling of gloves and cuffs to protect from heat and fire. It applies to all gloves which must protect hands from heat and/or flames in any one or several of the following forms: fire, contact heat, convective heat, radiating heat, small spray of molten metal or large spray of melting metal.

If the product claims flammability resistance, the pictogram will be                                           

If the product does not claim any resistance to flammability (0 or X), the pictogram will be      

Standard EN ISO 10819 specifies performance requirements for vibration attenuation through gloves. The vibration-reducing material must also satisfy thickness and consistency requirements. It should be noted that these gloves can reduce but not eliminate health risks associated with handtransmitted vibration exposure.

Vibration transmissibility in one-third-octave frequency bands from 25 to 200Hz must be equal to or less than 0.90. The one calculated in one-third-octave frequency bands from 200 to 1250 Hz must be equal to or less than 0.60.

This standard provides requirements for protective gloves that are worn in an environment producing ionising radiation or in an environment containing radioactive substances.

A glove protecting against radioactive contamination must be waterproof according to EN374-2.

A glove that protects against ionising radiation must, in addition to being waterproof according to EN374-2, contain a certain amount of heavy metal such as lead.

The EN511 standard defines the requirements and test methods for cold protection gloves from cold transmitted by convection or conduction down to -30°C (optionally up to -50°C). This cold can be from climatic conditions or industrial activity.

The selection process of a cold protection glove must take into account several parameters such as the ambient temperature, the health of the person, the duration of exposure, and the level of activities...

The EN388 standard applies to all types of protective gloves with respect to physical and mechanical aggression from abrasion, cutting from slicing, perforation and tearing. Since the 2016 version of the standard, new optional performance have appeared.

Impact resistance on the metacarpal area: if this performance is claimed, the "P" mark appears.

Marking example:

4233X P

Marking example:

4543D ou 4X43D

Cut by blade, 2 test methods:

EN388 6.2.:  For low to middle risk of cutting. A circular blade on which a constant force of 5 N is applied, moves back and forth until the sample is cut. It measures the number of completed cycles and is credited with the corresponding level.

EN ISO 13997:  For materials that blunt the blade during the EN388 6.2 test and/ or are particularly resistant, for high risk of cutting. A straight blade makes a single movement of 20 mm with a force of 2N, the test is repeated with a different force as many times as necessary until the sample is cut. A level corresponding to the force required to cut the sample is assigned. This method better represents the usage situations that present a high risk of cutting.

MANDATORY

Type 1: The impact force transmitted to the cap must not exceed 4,450 N when a 3.6 kg (8 lb) impact is dropped at a speed of 5.5 m/s (metres per second).
Penetration: A 1 kg penetrator must not come into contact with the false head at a speed of 7.0 m/s.
Flammability: the helmet must not burn with the emission of a fl ame for more than 5 seconds after the fl ame has been withdrawn
Electrical resistance: proof test at 20,000 volts for class E or 10,000 volts for class G. Class C off ers no protection against electrical hazards.
Type 2: In addition to the requirements of type 1, type 2 head protection must also satisfy:
Energy attenuation: the acceleration must not exceed 150 g in the event of a fall onto the cap and sideways using a 5 kg dummy head at 3.5 m/s.
Lateral penetration: At the front, rear and sides, a 1 kg penetrator must not come into contact with the headform at a speed of 5.0 m/s.

OPTIONAL

ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 4 options: low temperature (LT), high temperature (HT), reverse wear position and high visibility.

MANDATORY 

Impact*: This PPE protects against impacts from knocks against structures or objects. It does not protect from the impact of a falling object at all. The
impact energy of the cap at the end of the test reached 12.25 J.
Penetration*: the tip of the mass used in the test (0.5 kg over 0.5 m) must not come into contact with the skull.
* The impact and penetration tests are performed at room temperature, at 50°C and at -10°C.
Should in no way be a substitute for an industry type helmet (EN397).

OPTIONAL

In extreme temperatures: impact and penetration tests are conducted at room temperature at -20°C or -30°C.
Protects against accidental short-term contact with a live electrical conductor up to 440 VAC.
Flammability: the helmet must not burn with fl ame emission more than 5 seconds after removal of the fl ame (F marking).

Mandatory

Electrically insulating helmets for use near energised equipment not exceeding 1000 VAC or 1500 VDC (appliance class 0).
Used simultaneously with other electrically insulating protective equipment, these helmets prevent dangerous currents passing through to the person's head.
These optional electrical insulation tests are more stringent than the EN397 and they complement them. (2 triangle marking, Class 0).

The reference standard, cannot be used alone, but only in combination with another standard containing protection performance requirements.

• Conform to harmlessness (pH, chrome VI levels, etc…).

• Conform to the size charts (see chart on below).

• Assess the dexterity, breathability, and comfort.

• Conform to the labelling, information and identification instructions.

Mandatory

Impact*: force transmitted to the headform must not exceed 5 kN at the fall of an object of 5 kg from a 1 m height. The impact energy of the helmet at
the end of the test is 49 J.
Penetration*: the tip of the mass used in the test (3 kg over 1 m) must not come into contact with the skull.
Flammability: the helmet should not burn with fl ame emission more than 5 seconds after removal of the fl ame.
* The impact and penetration tests are performed at room temperature, at 50°C and at -10°C.

Optional

In extreme temperatures: impact and penetration tests are conducted at room temperature at 150°C, at -20°C or -30°C.
Protects against accidental short-term contact with a live electrical conductor up to 440 VAC.
Protects against lateral compression. The maximum deformation of the helmet should be ≤ 40 mm.
Resistance to molten metal splashes.

89/391: Identify and assess the risk, take preventive and protective measures, inform and train the workers.

2004/37: Risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work: hazard identifi cation, «limit values», respiratory protection.

89/656: Select and use the appropriate and compliant PPE, inform and train people, check and replace the PPE when necessary.

Standard EN16350 provides additional requirements for protective gloves that are worn in areas where flammable or explosive areas exist or might be present.

Further electrostatic properties can be determined through EN1149-1 (surface electrostatic properties) or EN1149-3 (charge decay), but cannot be used for electrostatic dissipative protective gloves.

Requirements and test methods for gloves used for manual welding of metals, for cutting and related techniques. Welder gloves are ranked in two types: B when great dexterity is required (e.g.: TIG welding), and A for other welding processes.

Food compatibility is governed by:

Regulation (EC) N° 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27th October 2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs.

Materials and articles must be manufactured in compliance with good manufacturing practice so that, under normal or foreseeable conditions of use, they do not transfer their constituents to food in quantities which could:

• Endanger human health ;

• Bring about an unacceptable change in the composition of the food or a deterioration in the organoleptic characteristics thereof.

Food contact of plastic materials is governed by Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 and the related requirements.

Materials PVC/Vinyl or even Latex/Nitrile gloves (unless local legislation exists) are directly subject to these regulations. They define:

• Positives lists of authorized constituents;

• The purity criteria applicable to some of these constituents;

• Special migration limits in foodstuffs for certain constituents;

• Maximum residual quantities of some constituents in the material;

• An overall migration limit in foods.

• A limit of metal content for plastic materials and objects.

Annex III of Regulation (EU) 10/2011 provides the list of stimulants to be used for testing migration of constituents of plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs:

• Aqueous foods (pH > 4.5): Simulants A, B and C.

• Acid food (pH ≤ 4.5): Simulant B;

• Alcoholic foods (≤ 20%): Simulant C;

• Alcoholic foods (> 20%): Simulant D1.

• Fatty foods: Simulants D1 and D2.

• Foods containing free surface fats: Simulant D2.

• Dry foods: Stimulant E.

Reference standard, not for use alone, but only in association with another standard containing the protection performance requirements. This standard specifies general performance requirements for ergonomics, innocuousness, size designation, durability, ageing, compatibility and marking of protective clothing and the information to be supplied by the manufacturer with the protective clothing.

Filtering facial parts, multiple levels of protection (non exhaustive list):

• N95 : Filter at least 95% of the particles (non-oily) suspended in the air.

• N99 : Filter at least 99% of the particles (non-oily) suspended in the air.