Glove testing
A protective glove is worth exactly what the measurement behind its marking proves. In development, procurement or production control, the question is: does the glove deliver its declared protection levels?
What we test
- mechanical performance: abrasion, cut, tear and puncture resistance (EN 388 methods);
- thermal protection: burning behaviour, contact and radiant heat (EN 407);
- protection against cold and water penetration (EN 511);
- innocuousness: pH, chromium(VI) for leather materials (EN ISO 21420);
- comparative testing for lot qualification and supplier evaluation.
TDM cut testing (EN ISO 13997) — in-house
The market increasingly asks glove manufacturers for straight-blade, TDM-method cut data alongside the coupe result — for high-cut, blade-blunting materials (HPPE, glass and steel fibre) it is the governing value and the source of the A–F letter.
- We test on a commercial TDM machine of the type referenced as an example in the standard (MESDAN, Italy) — against self-built rigs, this is the basis of result comparability;
- the measurement runs quickly and routinely here — for development iterations and lot verification alike;
- results are recorded in a test report issued as the laboratory of a notified body (NB 1524).
For whom, and when?
- Manufacturers in development: measuring the effect of a material or construction change.
- Importers and brands: whether the delivered lot truly matches the examined type.
- Large end-users: verifying the real performance of procured protective equipment.
Testing or certification?
Laboratory testing gives an objective picture of product performance — for development, verification, disputes. If the goal is the EU type-examination required for CE marking, that is a separate Notified Body procedure: see our protective glove certification page.
Related standards
- EN 420, EN ISO 21420 · Protective gloves — general requirements
- EN 388 · Gloves against mechanical risks
- EN 13594 · Motorcycle gloves
- EN ISO 13997 · Resistance to cutting by sharp objects (TDM method)
- EN 407 · Gloves against thermal risks
- EN 511 · Gloves against cold
- EN 12477 · Welder’s gloves
- EN ISO 374-1 · Gloves against dangerous chemicals
- EN ISO 374-5 · Gloves against micro-organisms
- EN 659 · Firefighter’s gloves
- EN ISO 10819 · Anti-vibration gloves
- EN 16350 · Gloves with electrostatic properties
Request a testing quote
Tell us about the product and the question you need answered — our laboratory will respond with a precise quotation.
Request a quote