01
Purpose
EN ISO 21420 covers general requirements for protective glove design and construction, innocuousness, comfort/efficiency, marking and manufacturer information. ISO 21420:2020 was reconfirmed in 2025 and has a published 2022 amendment.
Hand ProtectionTECHNICAL PPE LIBRARY
EN ISO 21420
Protective Gloves General Requirements Standard
EN ISO 21420 covers general requirements for protective glove design and construction, innocuousness, comfort/efficiency, marking and manufacturer information. ISO 21420:2020 was reconfirmed in 2025 and has a published 2022 amendment.
Product type
Protective glove – general product requirements
Field focus
Code + product + conditions of use
TECHNICAL PRODUCT IDENTITY
EN ISO 21420
EN ISO 21420General standardSIZESizeIDProduct identityAlways verify the actual product label, manufacturer technical documentation and conformity markings.
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Typical use
General product requirements for protective gloves used together with mechanical, chemical, thermal or other hazard-specific standards.
03
What to look for?
Check EN ISO 21420 marking, manufacturer/product identity, size and manufacturer instructions; verify the relevant hazard-specific standard separately for protection performance.
CLASSES & SELECTION LOGIC
Technical classes in this standard
A class code is not a selection decision by itself. Interpret it together with task-specific risk assessment and manufacturer data.
GENERAL
General requirements
Covers design, construction, innocuousness, comfort/efficiency and basic product information; it does not by itself define protection against a specific hazard.
WITH SPECIFIC STANDARD
With hazard-specific standard
Used together with hazard-specific standards such as EN 388, EN ISO 374 or EN 407.
READ THE PRODUCT LABEL
Code & marking decoder
EN ISO 21420General standardGeneral protective-glove requirements.SIZESizeProduct size for correct fit and ergonomic use.IDProduct identityManufacturer/model and traceability information.
READ THE PRODUCT IN THE FIELD
Where is the standard marking found?
Location varies by manufacturer and design. These are the first places to check; final verification must use the actual product and manufacturer documentation.
1
Standard and product label on glove/packaging
The marking should be legible, durable and match the product.
2
Manufacturer technical datasheet
The marking should be legible, durable and match the product.
STANDARD FAMILY
Standards often reviewed together
EN ISO 21420General requirements for protective gloves
EN 388 / EN ISO 374 / EN 407Hazard-specific performance standards are additionally required
COMMONLY CONFUSED
They are not the same thing
EN ISO 21420 ≠ specific hazard performance
It is a general product standard and does not by itself state mechanical/chemical/thermal protection.
WRONG-SELECTION EXAMPLE
A typical field mistake
Accepting a glove for chemical or cut risk only because EN ISO 21420 is marked.
Why is this a problem?
The task-specific hazard standard must also be verified.
Better approach
Check EN ISO 21420 together with EN 388/EN ISO 374/EN 407 etc. as appropriate to the real hazard.
WHERE IN THE FIELD?
Typical applications
01
General hand-protection selection
02
Mechanical-risk gloves
03
Chemical gloves
04
Thermal gloves
HSE FIELD CHECK
30-second field check
Use for quick pre-checks. It does not replace certification, competent inspection or task-specific risk assessment.
CHECK FOCUS
Are manufacturer and product identity legible?
CRITICAL MISTAKE
Accepting a glove for chemical or cut risk only because EN ISO 21420 is marked.
BETTER APPROACH
Check EN ISO 21420 together with EN 388/EN ISO 374/EN 407 etc. as appropriate to the real hazard.
1
Are manufacturer and product identity legible?
2
Are size and hand fit suitable?
3
Any tear, hole or major deformation?
4
Is the task-specific hazard standard also marked?
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