The CE (Conformité Européenne) marking certifies that a product meets EU regulations and is required for sale in the European Economic Area (EEA). It ensures compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.

The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking was introduced after Brexit for products sold in England, Scotland, and Wales. It replaces CE marking in the UK and follows similar requirements.

Manufacturers must comply with respective regulations, issue a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and maintain technical documentation. CE is valid in the EEA, while UKCA applies only in the UK. Products sold in both markets require both certifications.

EN ISO 21420 is applicable and required for all PPE gloves. It defines the general rules for comfort, innocuousness, marking, packaging and user notice. The EN ISO 21420 will replace the EN 420:2003 + 1:2009 when EN ISO 21420 will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. From a standardization point of view and for the CEN, EN 420 will be deleted after September 30th, 2020.


The list of substances to check

  • pH of all materials now including rubber and plastic. Each material shall be tested separately.
  • Chromium VI in leather and each leather type and each colours shall be tested separately
  • Azo colorants which release carcinogenic amines
  • DMFa (dimethylformamide) in glove containing PU (1 000 mg/kg)
  • PAH in rubber or plastic materials in direct contact with skin (1 mg/kg) whether the glove is intended for private or professional use
  • Nickel in metallic parts in prolonged contact with skin

Marking (glove or packaging)

  • Glove & Size designation
  • The CE marking
  • Relevant pictograms and corresponding level(s) of protection
  • Date of manufacturing (month and year)
  • Manufacturer’s name and postal address
    * If marking on glove is not possible, due to the characteristics of the product then the marking shall be affixed to the first packaging enclosure.

Size chart

Size 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Hand circumference (mm) 152 178 203 229 254 279 304
Hand length (mm) 160 171 182 182 204 215 226
Glove min. length (mm) 220 230 240 250 260 270 280

EN 388 : 2019 ( EN 388:2016+A1:2018, Protective gloves against mechanical risks) 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. This standard is intended to be used in conjunction with EN 420. The test methods developed in this standard may also be applicable to arm protectors.
EN 388:2019 has made some technical changes compared to the previous edition EN 388:2016.

  • Under clause 2 several 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’

Gloves certified under EN 511 provide protection against cold environments. This includes both convective cold and contact cold, as well as resistance to water penetration. Ideal for work in cold storage, outdoor winter conditions, or refrigerated environments.

Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 mandates that food contact materials must not transfer their constituents into food in harmful amounts, alter food composition, or deteriorate taste or odour. GMP compliance (as per EC 2023/2006) is required.

Plastics Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 applies to plastic materials/articles, setting:

  • OML ≤ 10 mg/dm² (60 mg/kg)

  • SML per substance based on EFSA toxicity assessments

  • Standardized testing with food simulants, following EN 1186 (overall) and EN 13130 (specific) methods

Most recent amendments (such as 2020/1245 and EU 2025/351) further tighten purity, recycled content, labelling, and manufacturing standards.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has released a new edition of the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard – 2021. The changes include new classification levels, which includes a new scale to determine the ANSI cut score and a revised method for testing gloves to the standard.
The new ANSI standard features nine cut levels that reduces the gaps between each level and better defines protection levels for the cut resistant gloves and sleeves with the highest gram scores.

OEKO-TEX is a leading global certification for textiles and leather, ensuring products are free from harmful substances. Its flagship certification, Standard 100, tests products at all production stages—raw materials, intermediate, and finished goods—for harmful chemicals like heavy metals, formaldehyde, and pesticides. This certification promotes consumer safety and environmental sustainability by guaranteeing that textiles and leather products do not pose health risks. OEKO-TEX is a trusted mark in the textile industry, widely adopted to assure eco-conscious and health-conscious consumers.