Australian Standards

Glove Standards and Certification

Many gloves in the market today claim compliance to EN388 and show a mechanical score symbol. However with many glove brands sourcing from multiple factories, inconsistencies can occur and such compliance claims may not always be able to be validated. Ultimately this may put the glove wearer and supplier at risk.

Force360 source their glove range from two manufacturing partners to ensure consistency and reliability of product. Force360 have recognized the weakness of compliance claims and have engaged SAI Global to certify their products and manufacturing facilities for complete peace of mind.

Force360’s FPR and WORX gloves are certified by SAI Global to Australian Standards AS/NZS 2161.2:2005 (EN420) & AS/NZS 2161.3:2005 (EN388) Mechanical Performance.
For Certified Australian Standard protection, only wear gloves displaying the Red Tick Tower.

Australian and New Zealand Glove Standard AS/NZS 2161:2008 is the standard that covers occupational protective gloves in Australia and New Zealand. This series of standards ensures the correct gloves are chosen and maintained to provide users with effective protection.

For full complete Glove Standards Certification information visit Force360 desktop version

This standard defines the general requirements and relevant test procedures for all protective gloves and is concerned with the following areas:

AS/NZS 2161.2:2005 (EN420) General Requirements
AS/NZS 2161.3:2005 (EN388) Protection against mechanical risks
AS/NZS 2161.4:1999 (EN407) Protection against thermal risks (heat and fire)
AS/NZS 2161.5:1998 (EN511) Protection against cold
AS/NZS 2161.10.3:2005 (EN 374-3) Determination of resistance to permeation by chemicals

AS/NZS 2161.2:2005 – General Requirements (EN420)

This standard defines the general requirements for glove design and construction, innocuousness, comfort and efficiency, marking and information applicable to all protective gloves.

Glove Construction and Design

Gloves have to offer the greatest possible degree of protection in the foreseeable conditions of end use. When seams are included, the strength of these seams should not reduce the overall performance of the glove.

Innocuousness of the Glove

The gloves themselves shouldn’t cause any harm to the user
PH of the glove should be between 3.5 and 9.5
Chromium (VI) content should be below detection (less than 10 ppm)
Natural rubber gloves shall be tested on extractable proteins as per EN 455-3

Cleaning Instructions

If care instructions are provided, the levels of performance should not be reduced after the maximum recommended number of cleaning cycles.

Electrostatic Properties

Anti-static gloves that are designed to reduce the risk of electrostatic discharges shall be tested as per EN 1149
Obtained test values are to be reported on the Instructions for Use
An electrostatic pictogram shall NOT be used

Sizing

Gloves are to made to a specific, agreed length
Gloves that are below the minimum length are to be called ‘Fit for Special Purpose’

Level of Dexterity (1 to 5)

Glove dexterity performance is graded as per table below.

Water Vapour Transmission and Absorption

If required, gloves shall allow water vapour transmission (5mg/cm2.h)
If gloves exclude water vapour transmission, it should be at least 8 mg/cm2 for 8 hours

Marking of the Glove

Each glove should be marked with:

Name of manufacturer
Glove and size designation
CE mark
Appropriate pictograms accompanied by the relevant performance levels and the reference of the EN standard

The marking should be legible throughout the life of the glove. Where marking of the glove is not possible in view of the characteristics of the glove, it should be mentioned on the first packaging enclosure.

Marking of the packaging immediately containing the gloves

Name and address of the manufacturer or representative
Glove and size designation
CE mark
Usage info
- Simple design: ‘for minimal risks only’
- Intermediate or complex design: relevant pictograms
- When protection is limited to part of the hand, this shall be mentioned (e.g. ‘Palm Protection style only’)

AS/NZS 2161.3:2005 - Protection Against Mechanical Risks (EN388)

Mechanical risk is the risk caused by abrasion, blade cut, tear and puncture to the wearer of the glove. A tested item is given a performance rating of 1 to 4 (lowest to highest) on some or all of the listed categories. The ‘blade cut resistance’ test is an exception as it measures from 1 to 5. Frequently an ‘x’ will replace one or more of the numbers, this means that the corresponding test was not performed.

The performance values assigned against each test factor correspond approximately to the following values.

Abrasion resistance: How well can the material of the glove resist exposure to repeated abrasion
Blade cut resistance: How well can the material of the glove resist cutting objects
Tear resistance: What force is needed to enlarge, by tearing a precut hole in the material of the glove
Puncture resistance: What force is needed to puncture the palm of the glove with a calibrated spike

AS/NZS 2161.4:1999 - Protection against thermal risks (heat and fire) EN407

The following table details the performance levels for the ‘contact heat’ category:

AS/NZS 2161.5:1998 Protection against cold (EN511)

This diagram details the testing categories for BS EN511: 1994. A tested item is given a performance rating of 1 to 4 (lowest to highest) on some or all of the listed categories.

Water Impermeability is an exception in this case, as this test is pass/fail - ‘1’ signifies a pass. Frequently an ‘x’ will replace one or more of the numbers, this means that the corresponding test was not performed.

AS/NZS 2161.10.3:2005 (EN 374-3) Determination of resistance to permeation by chemicals

This pictogram is displayed on gloves that comply to penetration and permeation requirements. Gloves that carry this symbol have been successfully tested against at least 3 different chemicals. The pictogram is accompanied by the relevant code letter(s) of these chemicals according to the following chart.

Eyewear Standards and Certification

At Force360 we source our entire FPR eyewear from a single manufacturing partner to ensure consistency and reliability of product. Force360 have recognized the weakness of compliance claims so SAI Global certify our manufacturing facilities for complete peace of mind.

Force360’s FPR and WORX eyewear is all certified by SAI Global to Australian Standards AS/NZS 1337.1: 2010. For Certified Australian Standard protection, only select safety eyewear displaying the Red Tick Tower.

Australian and New Zealand Eyewear Standard AS/NZS 1337.1:2010 is the standard is to assist in the provision of safe, efficient and comfortable vision in the occupational situation, including consideration of the need for protection against sunglare and optical radiation in the natural environment.

This Standard specifies minimum requirements for non-prescription eye and face protectors and associated oculars. They are designed to provide protection for the eyes and faces of persons against common occupational hazards such as flying particles and fragments, dusts, splashing materials and molten metals, harmful gases, vapors and aerosols. Requirements for optical qualities and low, medium, high and very high impact resistance are given and appendices describing appropriate test methods are included in this Standard.

For full complete Glove Standards Certification information visit Force360 desktop version

Glove Standards and Certification

This standard defines the general requirements and relevant test procedures for all protective gloves and is concerned with the following areas: