Performances of Comasec gloves are assessed according to the European standards. They are symbolised by pictograms sometimes with figures representing their levels of performances. These standards are regularly updated, hereafter the lastest edition:

EN 420: 2003 General requirements for protective gloves
  
This pictogram indicates that the user has to consult the instructions for use.

EN420 lays out the general requirements of most types of protective gloves including:

  - Ergonomy, construction (neutrality of pH, amount of dectectable CrVI and no allergenic incorporated substances), innocuousness and comfort (size), dexterity, water vapour transmission and absorption.

  - If requested electrostatic properties must be measured according to the tests of the EN 1149-1-2 OR 3. Pictograms shall not be used and specific information on lab test conditions must be added.

  - Indication of the levels of performances: 1 : minimum, 2 : good, 3 : very good, 4 and more : excellent, 0 : does not offer protection, X : performance not measured.

  - Information on using instructions and levels of performance according to the standards described hereafter

Selection of the glove’s size according to the hand length and circumference.

A glove for special applications may not conform to these values, in which case, these applications must be clearly explained in the instructions for use.

EN 388 - Mechanical protection

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EN 374 - Chemical protection and/or micro-organisms

Micro-organisms

Chemical protection





EJL

Chemical protection

 



This pictogram is used for liquid proof gloves that don´t meet the above requirement.

EN 407 - Heat protection

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Performance levels	1	2	3	4
a. Burning behaviour - After flare time	<20 s	<10 s	<3 s	<2 s
a. Burning behaviour - After glow time	no requir.	<120 s	<25 s	<5 s
b. Contact heat - Contact temperature	100°C	250°C	350°C	500°C
b. Contact heat - threshold time	>15 s	>15 s	>15 s	>15s
c. Convective heat (heat transfer delay)	>4 s	>7 s	>10 s	>18 s
d. Radiant heat (heat transfer delay)	>7 s	>20 s	>50 s	> 95 s
e. Small drops molten metal (# drops)	>10	>15	>25	>35
f. Large quantity molten metal (mass)	30 g	60 g	120 g	200 g

EN 511 - Cold protection





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Performance level	0	1	2	3	4
a. Convective cold. Thermal insulation ITR in m2. °C/W	ITR < 0.10	0.10 <ITR<0.15	0.15<ITR<0.22	0.22<ITR<0.30	0.30<ITR
b. Contact cold. Thermal resistance R in m2. °C/W	R<0.025	0.025<R<0.050	0.050<R<0.100	0.100<R<0.150	0.150<R
c. Water penetration test	Fail	Pass	n/a	n/a	n/a

 

Complying with the PPE Directive: 89/686/EEC

The Directive specifies two classes of gloves meeting two levels of risk: ‘minimal’ and ‘mortal’ or ‘irreversible’ risk. A risk which falls between these two levels may be described as ‘intermediate’. To comply with the 89/686/EEC Directive, you must establish the level of risk and select gloves of the appropriate class. A system of marking has been developed to help you in that selection. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) falls into the following three categories:

 

CE Simple Design - for minimal risk only

For gloves of simple design offering protection from low level risks where the consequences are reversible. Manufacturers are permitted to test and certify gloves themselves. Gloves of this category are CE-marked as follows:

CE Intermediate Design - for intermediate risk

Gloves designed to protect against intermediate risk, e.g mechanical protective gloves requiring good puncture and abrasion performance, must be subjected to independent testing and certification by a Notified Body Only these approved Bodies (which have their own identification number) may issue a CE mark, without which the gloves cannot be sold. The name and address of the Notified Body that certifies the product has to appear on the instructions for use that will accompany the gloves Gloves of this category are CE-marked as follows:

CE Complex Design - for irreversible or mortal risk

Gloves designed to protect against the highest level of risk e.g. chemicals, must be either tested annually by a Notified Body or the quality assurance system used by the manufacturer to guarantee homogeneity of production must be independently and annually checked by a Notified Body. The Body carrying out this evaluation will be identified by a number which must appear alongside the CE mark (in this case 0334). Gloves of Complex Design are CE-marked as follow:

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Please note that the original PPE Directive 89/686/EEC has been amended by both the 93/95/EEC Directive and the CE marking Directives 93/68/EEC.