EN ISO 21420:2020 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 21420:2020 - Protective gloves: General requirements and test methods is the harmonized CEN/ISO reference for general design, construction, testing and manufacturer information for protective gloves. The standard covers glove innocuousness, sizing, comfort, dexterity, breathability, marking and supplied information, and applies to gloves, mittens, pot holders, arm protectors and gloves permanently incorporated in containment enclosures. It is intended to be used together with relevant specific performance standards (for mechanical, chemical, thermal hazards, etc.), not as a standalone specification of protective properties.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: All types of protective gloves and hand protectors; also arm protectors and integrated gloves in enclosures.
• Glove design & construction: General requirements to ensure correct form, durability and usability.
• Innocuousness: Requirements and assessment for materials to avoid harm to users (allergen/chemical safety considerations).
• Comfort and fit:
  • Sizing and measurement procedures for consistent glove sizes.
  • Dexterity testing to quantify finger movement performance.
  • Breathability/water vapour behaviour and absorption tests (important for prolonged wear).
• Cleaning and ageing: Guidance on cleaning and considerations for PPE ageing and performance over time.
• Additional properties: Consideration of electrostatic behaviour and other special attributes where relevant.
• Test methods: Defined procedures for length measurement, dexterity, water vapour transmission/absorption and other tests to demonstrate compliance.
• Marking & manufacturer information: Mandatory marking and packaging information, plus detailed user instructions and safety information. The standard aligns with EU Regulation 2016/425 requirements for PPE documentation.

Applications - who uses this standard

• Glove manufacturers for design validation, quality control and labelling.
• Test laboratories implementing standardised test methods for conformity assessment.
• Procurement and safety professionals selecting PPE that meets ergonomic and regulatory information requirements.
• Certification and compliance bodies assessing conformity with PPE regulations.
• R&D teams improving glove comfort, fit and material safety.

Related standards

EN ISO 21420:2020 is a foundational, general requirements standard and is intended to be used in combination with specific hazard standards (see the document bibliography) that define performance tests for mechanical, chemical, thermal, biological or other protective properties. It supersedes earlier EN 420 editions as the up‑to‑date reference for general glove requirements.

For manufacturers and safety managers, EN ISO 21420:2020 is essential for ensuring gloves are safe, comfortable, properly marked and supported by the correct test methods and information for regulatory compliance (PPE Regulation 2016/425).