well INFORMED
well PROTECTED
well AHEAD
EN ISO 21420
EN ISO 21420:2020
Guide on the updated standard
Ansell goes the extra mile to provide better understanding of the latest regulatory
updates and ensure compliance. The EN ISO 21420:2020 was updated and was
developed under the “Vienna agreement” to be the EN ISO standard. It will apply to all
protective gloves that require the CE mark.
VERSION 1.0
To learn more, visit [Link]/enresoucecenter
2
EN ISO 21420:2020
Adopting the New EN ISO 21420 standards
The new EN ISO 21420:2020 was approved in 2020 in line with the
general requirements for protective gloves. This new standard will
replace the previous EN 420:2003 and applies to any protective
gloves that require the CE mark.
This standard defines the general requirements for design and
construction, innocuousness, comfort, efficiency, marking and
information applicable to all hand protection, including protective
EN ISO 21420 gloves.
What’s Changing?
ENLARGED SCOPE
The scope of the standard has been enlarged. The new EN ISO 21420 standard now clarifies that the
standard is applicable also applicable to arm protectors on top of protected gloves and protective hand
protectors.
3
EN ISO 21420:2020
INNOCUOUSNESS
The requirement for testing natural rubber gloves for protein content which was a requirement of the
previous EN420:2003 standard has been deleted from the new EN IS0 21420 standard.
The new EN IS0 21420 standard provides additional requirements such as no release of nickels,
no carcinogenic amines should be released from gloves, clearly defined maximum threshold for
dimethylformamide and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons should next exceed 1ppm
EN 420:2003
EN 420:2003 EN ISO 21420:2020
+ A1:2009
• Cr (VI) in leather < 3 ppm Alignment with REACH regulations:
• PH between 3.5 and 9.5 • No nickel release (< 0.5 μg/cm² per
• Natural rubber gloves shall be tested
EN ISO 21420 week)
for natural rubber protein content as • No carcinogenic amines be detectable
per EN 455-3 • Less than 1000 ppm (= < 0.1 %) w/w
dimethylformamide
• Should not exceed 1 ppm for
each PAH (Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons)
ELECTROSTATIC PROPERTIES
The previous EN420:2003 standard defined anti-static properties could be tested based on the EN1149
range of standards. For the new EN IS0 21420 standard, the new anti-static pictogram is introduced. The
use of the EN1149 testing methodology still applies under the new standard but will not form the basis to
allow the use of the anti-static pictogram.
EN 420:2003
EN 420:2003 EN ISO 21420:2020
+ A1:2009
EN 1149-1 (surface resistivity) • For gloves to be used in ATEX
– Still valid environments, the electrostatic
EN ISO 21420
properties shall be tested as per EN
sense Sample V Source 16350 (= EN 1149-2 test method)
Sample V Source Meter
sense
• Gloves meeting the
Meter
Surface Resistance
requirement can be marked
with the electrostatic
Surface Resistance
EN 1149-2 (vertical resistance) Meter
pictogram
sense
Meter • Test data as per EN 1149-1 & 3 can still
Sample sense be provided in the information to be
Sample V Source supplied to the user.
Volume Resistance
V Source
Volume Resistance
• EN 1149-3 (charge decay) – Still Valid
• Test data as per these EN 1149
standards can be provided in the
information to be supplied to the user.
No pictogram allowed.
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EN ISO 21420:2020
SIZING
The minimum required glove length which was a requirement in the previous EN420:2003 standard has
been deleted.
EN 420:2003 EN ISO 21420:2020
Hand size Hand circumference (mm) Hand length (mm) Glove size Minimum glove length
6 152 160 6 220
7 178 171 7 230
8 203 182 8 Deleted
240
9 229 192 9 250
10 254 204 10 260
11 279 215 11 270
GLOVE LABELLING
The new EN IS0 21420 standard requires that the date of manufacturing and date of obsolescence (if
applicable) is added on the product marking. If markings on the glove is not possible as a result of
characteristics of the glove such as for single-use gloves, the marking requirements can be moved to the
first packaging enclosure.
EN 420:2003
EN 420:2003 EN ISO 21420:2020
+ A1:2009
• Each protective glove to be marked • Added ”Date of
with: manufacturing”, at least
√ Name of manufacturer EN ISO 21420
month and year or any
other mean ensuring
√ Glove designation traceability
√ Size Designation • Date of obsolescence
√ Relevant pictograms + levels (behind an hourglass)
of performance + reference of if applicable
standard
√ Date of obsolescence, if applicable
• Marking shall be clear and visible
throughout the foreseeable life of the
glove.
• If marking of gloves is not possible,
the marking shall appear on the first
packaging enclosure
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EN ISO 21420:2020
INSTRUCTION FOR USE
Under the new EN IS0 21420 standard the same requirements still exist with the addition to provide
additional information.
EN 420:2003
• Minimum information needed:
1. Name and address of manufacturer
2. Glove designation
3. Available sizes
4. Relevant pictograms + performance levels + reference
to the applicable standard & year
5. Warnings and/or limitations of use + warning if contain
NRL
6. When protection is limited to part of the hand, it shall
be explained
7. Storage & care instructions
8. Instructions for use/intended use of product; relevant
information concerning combination with other forms
of PPE
9. List of substances known to cause allergies
EN ISO 21420:2020
• Additional Requests:
1. Instructions to check integrity of gloves prior to use
2. Instructions relevant to donning & doffing
3. Information for the user to establish a date of
obsolescence, if applicable
4. If electrostatic properties are claimed, a written
warning shall be provided to advise that all clothing
and shoes worn with this type of glove shall also be
designed taking the electrostatic risk into account
5. If no cleaning is recommended, indicate the glove is
not washable (this is excluded for SU gloves)
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EN ISO 21420:2020
INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED UPON REQUEST
Under the EN IS0 21420 standard some additional information needs to be made available based upon
request as only substances that can cause allergies (other than natural rubber) will be listed.
EN 420:2003
EN 420:2003
+ A1:2009 The following is an example list of substances, or families of substances,
All list of
which are known allergens that may be found in gloves:
substances
contained in the • Thiuram disulfide • Bisphenol A
glove
• Dithiocarbamates • Benzisothiazolinone
• Mercaptobenzothiazole/MBT • Cethylpiridinium chloride
EN ISO 21420:2020 derivatives • Triphenyl phosphite, triphenyl
Only list of the • 1,3-diphenylguanidine phosphate, tricresyl phosphate
substances
contained in • Diphenylthiourea, • Abietic acid derivatives
EN ISO 21420
the glove cause dibuthylthiourea • Nickel
allergies, other • Formaldehyde
than natural rubber
PICTOGRAMS
EN 388 EN 421
Protection against mechanical Protection from radioactive
risks contamination
EN ISO 374-1 EN 659
Protection from dangerous Fire Fighters’ gloves
chemicals
EN ISO 374-5 EN 1082
Protection from Micro- Gloves against cuts and stabs
organisms by hand knifes
EN 407 EN 381
Heat protection Chainsaw protective gloves
EN 511 EN 18889
Cold protection Gloves for pesticide operators
ISO 18889
EN 421 EN 16350
Protection from ionizing Electrostatic properties (ATEX)
radiation
Suitable for Live working Protection against electric arc
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EN ISO 21420:2020
What does this change mean for Ansell?
The EN ISO 21420:2020 which was finalised and approved by the EU member states in mid 2020 will
first need to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Once the standard has been
published, any Ansell’s new products or certifications will need to be in accordance with the new EN
ISO 21420:2020. However, a specific transition may be applicable and will depend on the European
commission’s decisions.
As for existing products which have already been certified with the previous EN 420:2003, the certification
will still remain valid until it expires. The first CE certificate that will expire for Ansell’s products are those
dated 21 April 2023. Ansell will not wait until 21 April 2023 and aim to recertify all glove products before
the end of 2021.
TRANSITION TIMELINE
1 Jan
Mid 2022 - UKCA
2020 2021 certification
2021
EN ISO 21420 Standard predicted NPD’s and products Ansell glove
approved to be published in to be recertified products will be
OJEU need compliance certified to new EN
to EN ISO 21420 ISO 21420
Transition period allowed:
to be defined via Commission
IMPLICATIONS
To ensure certification, or recertifications to the EN ISO 21420:2020 we will have to rework our current
instructions for use to make the necessary amendments in line with requirements defined in the EN
ISO 21420:2020. Additionally, our markings and artwork will be amended in order to reflect the date of
production, and if applicable the date of obsolescence behind the hourglass icon.
Declarations of conformity which can be found via the regulatory weblink on [Link]/regulatory
will be adjusted to reflect the certification to the new EN ISO 21420:2020 instead of the previous EN
420:2003.
Our marketing collaterals and products specification will be developed or amended accordingly as well
where applicable.
For more information, please visit:
[Link]/enresourcecenter
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