Glove testing
The marking on a protective glove has to rest on measurement. In development, procurement or production control the question is whether the glove really reaches the performance levels shown on its marking.
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), which supports the comparability of results between laboratories using the same equipment;
- the measurement runs quickly and routinely here — for development iterations and lot verification alike;
- results are recorded in a test report issued by 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 Protective glove certification.
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 (heat and fire)
- 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 ISO 11393-4 · Gloves for hand-held chainsaw users
- EN 16350 · Gloves with electrostatic properties
Further reading
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