All products are fully tested and certificated in accordance with the PPE Directive and carry the CE mark. They are independently tested by external accredited laboratories as appropriate using European norms or ENs and independently certified by Notified Bodies by means of EC Type Examination.
Under the terms of the above directive, gloves fall into the following three categories:
For minimal risks only. Suitable only for low risk applications where the hazards can be identified by the wearer in time to deal with them.
Reversible risks. Products are type examined by an approved body where they examine the manufacturer's technical specifications and conduct tests for the relevant standards to ascertain their conformity and/or performance.
For protection against mortal danger or risks which cause irreversible harm. Product is type tested as in CE information above and in addition the QA system in all manufacturing units is regularly audited by a Notified Body
All manufacturing facilities have recognized approval and or accreditation for the following:
EN 420 is the underlying general standard to which all protective gloves must comply. It is designed to ensure that the gloves themselves do not cause harm to the wearer and are comfortable to wear. EN420 defines general requirements including design and construction, comfort and efficiency, innocuousness as well as general information and marking.
There is a requirement to provide information supplied by the manufacturer and in addition to giving traceability and general product description including size range, hazard category, (i.e. Cat 1,2 or 3) tests performed and performance levels, the information must show how the product should be stored and for how long, any known allergy substances contained in the product and any other useful information to enable a user to make the correct decision in the choice of PPE.
This standard indicates the degree of protection on various kinds of protective gloves with regard to physical and mechanical interference caused by abrasion, blade cut, tearing and puncture.
Protection from mechanical hazards is expressed by a pictogram followed by four numbers (performed levels). Each representing a performance level using the appropriate test method as listed below:
Based on the number of cycles required to abrade through the sample glove (abrasion by glasspaper under a stipulated pressure). The protection factor is then indicated on a scale from 1 to 4 depending on how many revolutions are required to make a hole in the material.
Based on the number of cycles required to cut through the sample at a constant speed. The protection factor is then indicated on a scale from 1 to 5.
Based on the amount of force required to tear the sample. The protection factor is then indicated on a scale from 1 to 4.
Based on the amount of force required to pierce the sample with a standard sized point. The protection factor is then indicated on scale from 1 to 4.
A) Abrasion Resistance (Cycles) (Rating 0-4)
B) Blade Cut Resistance (Index) (Rating 0-5)
C) Tear Resistance (Newton) (Rating 0-4)
D) Puncture Resistance (Newton) (Rating 0-4)
| Performance Level | Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance (Cycles) | <100 | 100 | 500 | 2000 | 8000 | N/A |
| Cut Resistance (Index) | <1.2 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 20.0 |
| Tear Resistance (Newton) | <10 | 10 | 25 | 50 | 75 | N/A |
| Puncture Resistance (Newton) | <20 | 20 | 60 | 100 | 150 | N/A |