Mechanix: What You Need to Know About CE Standards for Gloves
Testing standards ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers correctly classify their products and do not overstate a product's features and performance. When it comes to testing standards for hand protection, there are two categories of rigorous tests intended for materials in accordance with industry standards.
The CE marking can be described as an official seal marking the authorization for marketing within the European Union. The CE marking provides an indicator to consumers, safety professionals, and buyers that the product meets safety requirements for personal protective equipment.
The ANSI, or American National Standards Institute for hand protection, assists safety managers and employers in their purchasing decisions to opt for hand protection suited to the risks of their work environment based on various physical tests adhering to PPE standards.
Currently, unlike European Union standards, ANSI test certification is not mandatory in the United States. In fact, many safety professionals in the United States consider CE testing standards in their PPE purchasing decisions. At Mechanix Wear, we believe that small advancements lead to great results, and there is no doubt that specialized hand protection equates to safer work environments. Since the development of our classic Original® mechanic gloves, our focus on innovative protective products, test transparency, and certification of standard compliance has led us to design an even more efficient line of hand protection. With each new design, we keep the end user in mind, and it is important that glove manufacturers independently test their products to ensure that the end user receives a quality product that meets all their needs.
CE - EUROPEAN CONFORMITY
When deciding that a work glove is safe and suitable for a specific use and environment, it is important to identify all potential risks to design the best possible glove. It is common practice for most health and safety professionals to look at standard physical tests before approving an order. The most well-known CE standards are:
- EN388 – Mechanical properties test
- EN420 - General glove requirements test
But there are also several CE standards for gloves for specific hand protections such as:
- EN 407 - Heat and flame
- EN 374 - Chemical and microbiological
- EN 6093 – High voltage
EN 388 - Mechanical Risks
When it comes to mechanical risks for generic industrial applications, the CE standard EN 388 includes four main physical tests to measure palm resistance to:
- Abrasion
- Blade cut
- Tearing
- Puncture
Each test determines a performance result based on five levels. This allows the wearer, health, or safety professional to choose a glove with a performance level suited to the identifiable risks of their work environment. For example, a glove with a CE protection level of 4 against abrasion is generally required for handling abrasive materials and heavy equipment. A CE level of 5 against cuts indicates high resistance to blades, allowing the handling of metal sheets, glass, or other sharp materials. The higher the number, the higher the level of protection, it's as simple as that.
EN 388 - Abrasion Test
Samples are cut from the palm and rubbed against abrasive paper using a specialized machine. The number of cycles required to pierce the sample is measured. Four performance levels are defined, ranging from 1 for a material enduring more than 100 cycles to 4 for a material enduring more than 8000 cycles.
EN 388 - Cut Resistance Test
Samples are taken from the palm, and the number of cycles required to cut through with a rotating circular blade is recorded. The sharpness of the blade will vary and is evaluated using a standard manufacturing reference. The glove's cut resistance is based on a relative index. Five performance levels are defined in the EN 388 classification, ranging from 1 for an index greater than 1.2 to 5 for an index greater than 20.
EN 388 - Tearing Test
Rectangular samples are taken from the palm and stretched on each side by a tensile testing machine. Four performance levels are defined in the EN 388 classification, ranging from 1 for a tensile force greater than 10 N to 4 for a tensile force greater than 75 N.
EN 388 - Puncture Test
Samples are taken from the palm, and the force required to pierce them with a punch is measured using a specialized resistance testing machine. Four performance levels are defined in the EN 388 classification. They range from 1 for a puncture force greater than 20 N to 4 for a puncture force greater than 150 N.
EN420 - General Glove Requirements Test
The CE standard EN 420 ensures that gloves cannot cause harm to the user. These tests and requirements include:
- The pH value, as well as the transmission of water vapor and absorption of materials.
- The presence of Chromium VI in leather.
The pH value for the leathers and textiles of a glove must be greater than 3.5 and less than 9.5. Samples are taken from the palm, and all additional materials are tested separately. The sample is tested in water by mechanical agitation. The solvent extract is then slowly filtered, and the pH is determined using a pH meter. If an excessive level of acid or alkali is detected, it indicates a weak control process. A high pH value can also be linked to dermatitis.
Chromium VI is a controlled substance and a known allergen. Each type of material is tested separately and must comply with the limitation of less than 3 mg of Chromium VI. Soluble Chromium VI is extracted from the leather in a phosphate bath. It is then oxidized to produce a purple color, which can then be quantified using a UV device measuring light intensity.
EN420 - General Glove Requirements Test
The CE standard EN 420 also examines the coverage and feel of a glove by testing:
- Size / length
- Finger flexibility
The length of the glove is measured by suspending it by the middle finger and then recorded to ensure size stability. EN 420 includes a list of minimum lengths for each glove size. Gloves that mention a special function for a specific purpose are allowed as long as the manufacturer can demonstrate their intention. Overall size and flexibility are also tested. The glove is put on a hand of the appropriate size, and the wearer will then try to grasp rods of different sizes to measure dexterity. There are five different rod sizes ranging from 5 mm to 11 mm in diameter. The smaller the diameter, the more successful the dexterity test.
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