EN ISO 21420:2020 is the main standard required for all PPE gloves. EN ISO 21420:2020 replaced the previous EN 420:2003+A1:2009 and has been adopted by ISO to become a worldwide standard.

It describes the general requirements for all hand protective equipment, such as protective gloves, regarding:

• Design and construction.
• Innocuousness.
• Care and cleaning instructions.
• Comfort. 
• Efficiency.
• Marking and information.

Glove design and construction

The glove design should allow the wearer to perform normal activities unencumbered while providing the highest degree of protection for the intended application. EN ISO 21420 does not state a minimal glove length. However, some specific standards (e.g., for welding) have requirements for a minimum length.

Sizing and measurement

The size of the gloves must be established in relation to the hand-sizing system defined in the table below:

Innocuousness of protective gloves

EN ISO 21420 attaches great importance to the innocuousness aspect, which ensures that PPE gloves do not harm the health or hygiene of the wearer. The main requirements are

• Chromium VI content must be less than 3,0 mg/kg of leather. Applicable for all leather gloves.
• No Nickel release (< 0.5µg/cm2/week). Applicable for all metallic components in prolonged contact with skin.
• pH value must be between 3.5 and 9.5.
• Azo colorants must be less than 30 mg/kg for each aromatic amine. Applicable to textiles and all dyed leathers, which releases carcinogenic amines.
• DMFa (dimethylformamide) must not exceed 1000 mg/kg (1% weight/weight). Applicable to all materials containing polyurethane (PU).
• Content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) must be less than 1 mg/kg. Applicable for rubber and plastics in direct contact with the skin.

Cleaning

If cleaning and caring instructions are provided, the relevant performance-related tests must be performed before cleaning and repeated after the maximum recommended number of cleaning cycles. The gloves must be marked according to the lowest performance level results before and after cleaning.

Electrostatic Properties

Regarding ATEX, the electrostatic properties must be tested in accordance with EN 16350 (test method EN 1149-2). The new EN ISO 21420 standard introduced a new pictogram that can be used for gloves that meet the requirements of EN 16350 and are tested according to EN 1149-2 for devices intended for use in explosive atmospheres (ATEX zones).

Dexterity

The dexterity level is given by the diameter of the pin that can be picked up by the glove wearer.

Marking and information

Each protective glove must be marked with the following information:

• Manufacturer name.
• Glove designation.
• Size designation.
• Pictograms of applicable standards for the glove, with reference and performance levels.
• Manufacturing date.   
• Obsolescence date (if applicable) behind the hourglass icon.  

The first packing enclosure must contain above listed information if the glove cannot be marked.

The user instructions must include the following information:

• Name and address of the manufacturer or representative.
• Glove designation.
• Available size range.
• Intended use with reference to relevant specific standards.
• Pictograms of the standards the glove applies to, with reference and performance levels.
• Pictograms indicating the hazard category according to PPE regulation (Cat. I, II or III).
• CE mark.
• Care & storage instructions.
• Instructions and limitations of use.
• Name and address of the notified body which certified the product.
• Warnings (if applicable).