Overview
ISO 21420:2020/Amd 1:2022 is an important amendment to the international standard governing protective gloves. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this update refines the general requirements and test methods for gloves designed to protect users in various industrial, mechanical, and safety-critical environments. The amendment introduces clarified testing procedures, material restrictions, and marking requirements to enhance glove safety, comfort, and compliance.
This standard offers comprehensive guidelines to manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and safety professionals, ensuring that protective gloves meet stringent quality and performance benchmarks while limiting exposure to harmful substances.
Key Topics
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General Requirements and Safety Tests
ISO 21420:2020/Amd 1:2022 updates several key clauses relating to glove design, including minimizing donning and doffing time when required, and detailed normative references to dated versions of related standards.
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Material Safety Limits
- Chromium VI content: Gloves containing leather must have Chromium VI levels below 3.0 mg/kg, tested in line with ISO 17075 methods.
- pH Levels: All glove materials must maintain a pH value between 3.5 and 9.5 to ensure skin compatibility, with standardized testing applicable to leather (ISO 4045) and other materials (ISO 3071).
- Azo Colorants: Prohibits azo colorants that release carcinogenic aromatic amines, referencing ISO 14362-1 and ISO 17234-1 for textiles and leather, respectively.
- Dimethylformamide (DMFa): PU-containing gloves must contain less than 1,000 mg/kg of DMFa (0.1%), a chemical known for toxicity, tested per EN 16778.
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Limits PAHs in rubber and plastic glove components to 1 mg/kg, with testing according to ISO 16190.
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Electrostatic Properties
Requirements for gloves used in flammable or explosive risk areas include testing electrostatic dissipativity according to EN 16350:2014. Addition of relevant pictograms for electrostatic compliance enhances user safety awareness.
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Mechanical Risk Warnings
Specifications for gloves offering tear resistance near rotating machinery are clarified. The glove should tear before causing injury by entanglement, based on the highest tear performance level per EN 388:2016+A1:2018.
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Updated Test Methods
The amendment standardizes the use of updated ISO methods for evaluating water vapor permeability (ISO 14268), thermal resistance (ISO 11092), cleaning performance (ISO 20344), and mechanical risk protection (ISO 23388).
Applications
ISO 21420:2020/Amd 1:2022 serves as a critical reference for industries requiring protective handwear such as:
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Manufacturing and Mechanical Work
Ensuring gloves protect against cuts, abrasions, and mechanical injuries, particularly when operating machinery.
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Chemical Handling
Specifying safe levels of harmful chemicals like Chromium VI, DMFa, and PAHs to prevent occupational exposure.
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Firefighting and Emergency Services
Supporting glove designs that meet thermal and physical requirements for firefighters and wildland firefighting personnel.
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Electrostatic Risk Environments
Guiding the production of gloves used in explosive atmospheres where static dissipation is essential.
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Quality Control and Compliance Testing
Assisting laboratories and manufacturers in applying uniform and validated test methods to validate glove performance and material safety.
Related Standards
To ensure a comprehensive approach, ISO 21420:2020/Amd 1:2022 references and aligns with multiple other international and European standards, including but not limited to:
- ISO 16073-4:2019 – Wildland firefighting gloves requirements and tests
- ISO 23388:2018 / EN 388:2016+A1:2018 – Protective gloves against mechanical risks
- EN 16350:2014 – Electrostatic properties of protective gloves
- ISO 17075:2017 – Chemical determination of Chromium VI in leather
- EN 16778:2016 – Testing for dimethylformamide in gloves
- ISO 16190:2021 – Testing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in footwear and gloves
- ISO 3071:2020 and ISO 4045:2018 – pH determination methods for textiles and leather
- ISO 3758:2012 – Care labelling code for textiles
Additionally, this amendment references various ISO guides on measurement uncertainty, conformity assessment, and accuracy, facilitating consistent quality assurance.
By adhering to ISO 21420:2020/Amd 1:2022, manufacturers and safety professionals can ensure protective gloves meet modern expectations for safety, chemical resistance, and functional performance, thereby safeguarding users in diverse workplaces worldwide.