What is ISO 21420 about?

ISO 21420 discusses protective gloves. ISO 21420 specifies the general requirements and relevant test procedures for glove design and construction, innocuousness, comfort, and efficiency, as well as the marking and information supplied by the manufacturer. ISO 21420 applies to all protective gloves.

It can also apply to arm protectors and gloves permanently incorporated in containment enclosures. Gloves and hand protectors such as mittens, potholders and arm protection are covered by ISO 21420.

Note: ISO 21420 does not address the protective properties of gloves and therefore is not used alone but only in combination with the appropriate specific standard(s).

Who is ISO 21420 for?

ISO 21420 on protective gloves is useful for:

Glove, mitten, potholder, and arm protector manufacturers
Industrial safety appliance manufacturers
Health and safety bodies
Quality control personnel

Why should you use ISO 21420?

Gloves, mittens, potholders, and arm protectors are used to protect the wearer from heat or other hazards. In case the materials used in their manufacture fail to provide adequate protection, the user may sustain injuries such as burns. The protective glove shall be designed and manufactured so that in the foreseeable conditions of use, the wearer can perform the activity as normally as possible with appropriate protection.

ISO 21420 guides you on the protective glove design, construction and material specifications that would keep the user safe while using the products. ISO 21420 guides you with the comfort and efficiency of the protective gloves which include sizing and measurement of gloves, dexterity, and breathability.

ISO 21420 provides you with tests and the test procedure to assess the measurements of gloves, determine gloved finger dexterity, determination of water vapour behaviour and the determination of water vapour absorption of leather materials. ISO 21420 also guides you with the marking and information to be provided to the customer.

ISO 21420 helps you to design safe and comfortable protective gloves to protect a worker's hands from hazards so that they can perform their job safely.

BS EN ISO 21420:2020

Protective gloves. General requirements and test methods

Current, Under Review

Published:

31 Mar 2020