EN 388:2003 GLOVES FOR MECHANICAL RISKS
It is a European standard required for evaluating mechanical risks and hazards for hand protection. A glove must be EN 388 certified if to be sold in Europe. To pass this standard four tests are adopted as under.
| Performance level | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Abrasion resistance (Cycles) | 100 | 500 | 2000 | 8000 | X |
| Blade cut resistance (Index) | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 20.0 |
| Tear resistance (Newton) | 10 | 25 | 50 | 75 | X |
| Puncture resistance (Newton) | 20 | 60 | 100 | 150 | X |
- The “X” indicates the test has not been performed.
EN 388: 2016
As compared to that of EN388:2003 the following amendments are made compulsory:
- Abrasion Resistance:
- Cut Resistance: ISO 13997 International Cut Resistance Standard
| Performance level | A | B | C | D | E | F |
| Load applied (Newton) | 2 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 22 | 30 |
The ISO 13997 standard ensures more realistic results as that of EN388:2003 test though the “Coup” test of EN 388:2003 will still be used and the results will be shown for level (1-5) and the results remain conform to the CE certifications.
EN 388:2016+A1:2018
To assist wearers with the selection of appropriate gloves, several European safety standards including EN 388:2016+A1:2018 – have been developed, enabling levels of protection against different risks to be defined. The European standard EN 388:2016+A1:2018 – ‘Protective gloves against mechanical risks has now been published to supersede EN 388:2003. General-purpose protective gloves account for the largest market share of all personal protective equipment (PPE) sold and protect wearers from a wide range of hazards. These defined levels of protection enable appropriate gloves to be selected, based on the hazards and risks identified for a specific work activity.
The EN 388:2016+A1:2018 standard is intended to be used in conjunction with EN 420:2003+A1:2009 – ‘Protective gloves. General requirements and test methods’, which is designed to ensure that the gloves themselves do not cause harm to the wearer and are comfortable to wear. EN 420 is currently under revision and will become EN ISO 21420 once the standard has been updated (anticipated to be in 2018 or 2019).
EN 388:2016+A1:2018 specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information to be supplied for protective gloves against the mechanical risks of abrasion, blade cut, tear, puncture and, if applicable, impact. The test procedures include a separate test for each of these properties. A performance level is determined according to each test result – the higher the number or ascending letter, the greater the level of protection. Results are displayed using a pictogram, permitting clear understanding of the capability of the glove.
EN 388:2016+A1:2018 specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information to be supplied for protective gloves against the mechanical risks of abrasion, blade cut, tear, puncture and, if applicable, impact. The test procedures include a separate test for each of these properties. A performance level is determined according to each test result – the higher the number or ascending letter, the greater the level of protection. Results are displayed using a pictogram, permitting clear understanding of the capability of the glove.
- Under clause 2 a number of normative references to textiles standards have been added
- Sub-clause 6.2.5 has been modified to state that ‘the canvas shall be a woven fabric whose warp and weft are spun yarns from open end fibers’
- The phrase has been altered to state ‘100 rubs’ instead of ‘100 cycles’ as in the previous version; and ‘weight loss’ has been replaced with ‘mass lost’
