The EN ISO 21420:2020 standard is the fundamental regulation for all protective gloves marketed in Europe with CE marking. It outlines the general requirements and testing procedures applicable to all glove categories and risk levels. This includes specifications for glove design, material safety, comfort, dexterity, sizing, and information provided with each product. These requirements ensure gloves are safe to wear, suitable for their intended use, and clearly labeled for compliant use across various industries.
Gloves must be designed to provide the protection they are intended for.
They should be easy to put on and remove.
Seams, edges, and materials used must not pose any risk to the wearer during use.
The glove's pH value must be between 3.5 and 9.5.
The hexavalent chromium content in leather gloves must be below 3 mg/kg.
The DMFa (dimethylformamide) content in polyurethane (PU) gloves must be under 1000 mg/kg.
A list of known allergens must be available upon request.
Depending on the required protection level, gloves must allow maximum finger mobility.
Comfort and breathability should support prolonged wear.
When washing symbols are present on gloves, it indicates that their properties have been verified according to relevant standards both before and after the maximum recommended number of wash cycles as per care instructions.
If electrostatic properties are claimed, gloves must be tested according to the EN 16350:2014 standard to ensure safe static electricity dissipation.
Gloves must be available in standardized sizes and allow natural hand movement.
Each glove must display the CE mark, applicable standards, and manufacturer identification.
For Category III certified products, a four-digit notified body code (e.g., CE 0123) must appear following the CE mark.
Packaging and documentation must include instructions, limitations, and care guidelines.
These requirements are verified through standardized testing by accredited laboratories. Together, they form the basis for CE certification under EU Regulation 2016/425 on personal protective equipment, ensuring gloves are safe and compliant across all risk categories.
This standard guarantees that all protective gloves, regardless of the specific risk protection they offer, meet a unified baseline for safety and usability. This enables:
Whether gloves are designed for cut resistance, chemical handling, thermal protection, or cold insulation, EN ISO 21420:2020 ensures the product meets essential safety and performance requirements.