EN420 becomes EN ISO 21420: what does it change?

March 2020, EN ISO 21420 standard has been published with the aim of soon replacing EN 420 standard in force. Just like the previous version, EN ISO 21420 standard covers general requirements and test methods for protective gloves.

The EN420 standard: what does it consist of?

EN 420 standard is a generalizing standard for glove design. This is a mandatory standard, which means that all gloves (PPE) on the European market must comply with it in order to be marketed. Depending on the PPE category, EN 420 is not used on its own, but can be supplemented by the following standards:

Standard EN 407: Protective gloves and other hand protection against thermal hazards (heat and/or fire)
The EN 388 standard: Gloves for protection against mechanical risks.
Standard EN 511: Protective gloves against cold.
Standard EN 659: Protective gloves for firefighters
Standard EN 12477: Protective gloves for welders
ISO 15383: Protective gloves for firefighters
Standard EN 13594: Protective gloves for motorcyclists
Standard EN 381-7: Protective clothing for users of hand-held chain saws
Standard EN 374: Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms

The EN420 standard becomes EN ISO 21420: what's new?

Safety

The new EN ISO 21420 standardThe new standard, which will replace EN 420, supplements existing safety requirements. The following aspects remain unchanged:

Chromium (VI) content must be < 3mg/kg (detection limit)
The pH of the gloves should be between 3.5 and 9.5.

Standard EN ISO 21420 sets thresholds for the following substances:

TheDimethylformamide (DMFa) is found only in polyurethane (PU) gloves. This substance was already present in the REACH legislation, but ISO 21420 reinforces the requirements by lowering the authorized level to 1000mg/kg or 1000ppm.
The level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) must now be less than 1mg/kg for coated gloves in direct contact with the skin.
Nickel levels must also be monitored and must be less than 0.5µg/cm².
Azo dyes should not be detectable.

Comfort and efficiency

Standard EN ISO 21420 requires manufacturers to define their own sizing system in line with the size of hands on which gloves can be adjusted in length and width. So, for all sizes, the length of the glove must be greater than the length of the hand. The same applies to the circumference of the glove, in relation to the circumference of the hand. Finally, sizes are now defined between 4 and 13, and EN ISO 21420 authorizes the addition of sizes and half-sizes if necessary. Dexterity: identical test method, but with the addition of a precise holding time for the metal rod (5s).

Marking

Manufacturers are required to ensure the traceability of the glove with a batch number/manufacturing date/obsolescence date if necessary of the glove in order to trace it back to its design in case of a problem. The transition period for EN ISO 21420 is 6 months. The end of application of EN420 takes effect in September 2020 and EN ISO 21420 is now the benchmark. From a certifying body point of view this new version does not represent a safety GAP and the old one is not challenged in the presumption of conformity to PPE Regulation 2016/425. Type examination certificates remain valid until their expiry date.