Helping you select appropriately rated gloves
When deciding which gloves to use for a particular task, it's important to select a glove that provides workers with the appropriate protection as demonstrated by the relevant European (EN) or British (BS) standard.
These standards help to ensure that gloves are fit for purpose. Each standard specifies how gloves designed to protect against particular types of hazards should be tested, classified and labelled.
All protective gloves must meet the basic standards described in EN ISO 21420 (General requirements and test methods). Depending upon their intended use, safety gloves may have been designed and tested to also comply with one or more of the following standards.
Each standard specifies what labelling needs to feature on gloves to help users identify the type and level of protection they offer. This includes a unique shield symbol - with the exception of EN 21420 and EN 12477.
This basic standard has to be met by all protective gloves, so all CE marked gloves should meet these requirements.
All products CE marked shall meet requirements such as:
The level of protection achieved in the EN 388 tests are marked on gloves as a series of numbers and letters under a hammer pictogram.
In each case, the chemicals tested will be stated under the fuming conical flask pictogram using their code letter, as listed in the official list of test chemicals.
If other chemicals, not present in the list, have also been tested information about the performance levels will be provided in the user instructions.
The shield with the biological hazard symbol is used to show a glove has passed the penetration test.
If a glove demonstrates protection against blood born pathogens, then this will be shown by stating "virus" underneath.
The nature and degree of protection is shown by a flame pictogram with the six performance levels of 0 - 4 (lowest to highest), relating to the six different protective qualities underneath.
If LFS is claimed level 1 or above the first shield (flame) is shown, in no LFS is claimed the second shield (heat) is shown
To claim this standard the product must have been testing against EN388, EN407 and EN420/EN21420. The "Type" A or B will be shown underneath the EN407 symbol.
Protection against cold (down to - 50°C) is illustrated with a snowflake pictogram with the three performance levels, relating to the three protective qualities underneath.
This standard measures and evaluates the vibration transmissibility of gloves at the palm of the hand, products certified to this standard with show this symbol.
Anti-static properties are illustrated with a lightning bolt pictogram. The standard is passed or failed, so no levels are quoted underneath.
Protection against radioactive contamination is illustrated using the nuclear atomic pictogram. The standard is passed or failed so no levels are quoted underneath the pictograms.
Protection against ionising radiation is illustrated using the trefoil radioactive warning symbol, and the lead equivalence must also be marked on the glove. The standard is passed or failed so no levels are quoted underneath the pictograms.
The fork and glass symbol is used to show gloves are suitable for use with food.
This standard evaluates the electrical insulation provided by gloves and classifies them 00 to 4. Some gloves will also offer have chemical and mechanical protection.
In many cases, digits under the shield indicate the level of protection for each test within the standard. In general, the higher the number, the higher the level of protection. An X means the glove hasn't been tested for that particular assessment, or that the test is not applicable to that glove.
As well as clearly labelling our gloves, relevant standards feature on our online product pages, throughout our expert guides and in the Arco catalogue.
With introduction of the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425, since April 2019, only gloves tested according to the most recent version of standards have been imported into the EU. When stock is depleted you'll need to switch to products tested to the new, most up to date standards.
Over the past few years, glove standards have undergone several substantial changes. Having been actively involved in driving up quality standards, we welcome the amendments and believe they will result in improved worker safety.
EN standards are an essential guide when selecting hand protection. They help users understand the level of protection gloves are designed to provide. However, products are tested in laboratory conditions, so results don’t always replicate real-life working conditions.
This means standards should only be regarded as advisory in nature. We recommend that you carry out practical trials in your workplace, to assess which gloves perform best in each specific situation.
All PPE gloves you buy from us are CE marked and certified according to the relevant EN standards. We also ensure our gloves continue to meet these standards, but not all suppliers are so rigorous.
Selecting gloves that protect workers can be crucial in helping to keep their hands safe, but often wearing gloves makes tasks easier and more efficient too. From chemical resistant gloves to multipurpose gloves, we can help you select the right products.
Whether you need validation of the current gloves in use at your workplace, help with cost down initiatives, or recommendations for new safety procedures to keep up with changing legislation, Arco can help.
Hand protection designed for a variety of industries, applications and hazards, ensuring you can find a glove that's perfectly matched to your needs.
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