M/BC/CEN/88/8 - PPE: Hand and harm protection
Order for standardization concerning Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) - hand and harm protection
This mandate concerns the revision of European standards (ENs/ENVs) related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) focusing on hand and arm protection. It directs the European Standardisation Organisations to update and standardize requirements to ensure effective protection, safety, and performance of PPE designed to safeguard users against risks affecting hands and arms. The mandate supports regulatory frameworks by enhancing harmonized standards applicable within the EU market. The revision aims to address technical progress, improve user safety, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation under the guidance of CEN Technical Committee 136.
Purpose
This mandate concerns the standardisation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) specifically related to hand and arm protection. The objective is to revise existing European Standards (ENs) and European Pre-standards (ENVs) to ensure harmonised safety requirements, testing methods, and performance criteria for PPE designed to protect hands and arms in various occupational settings.
Standardisation request
The request is directed to the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), particularly to Technical Committee 136. The mandate involves revising the current standards under the remit of CEN/TC 136 to update and improve the specifications relating to hand and arm protection PPE. This includes revising and potentially developing new European Standards and Pre-standards aligned with advancements in technology and evolving industry needs.
Expected deliverables
- Revised European Standards (ENs) and European Pre-standards (ENVs) governing the design, performance, and testing of hand and arm protective PPE.
- Updated documentation reflecting technical improvements and compliance with relevant EU legislation concerning PPE.
- Recommendations that facilitate uniform application across member states to ensure worker safety and product interoperability.
Context
This mandate is a revision of previous standardisation work as reflected in the resolution reference CEN/TC 136 196/2003. It supports the EU's regulatory framework on PPE, aiming to improve worker health and safety by providing up-to-date, harmonised European standards. The work of CEN/TC 136 is crucial in maintaining high protection levels while promoting the free movement of PPE within the European Single Market.
This mandate covers standardisation work related to personal protective equipment (PPE) focusing on hand and arm protection. It involves revising existing European standards to ensure safety and performance requirements for products designed to protect hands and arms from hazards in various sectors.
General Information
This European Standard specifies the requirements and test methods for gloves which protect against convective and conductive cold down to –50 °C. This cold can be linked to the climatic conditions or an industrial activity. The specific values of the different performance levels are decided by the special requirements for each class of risk or the special areas of application. Product tests may only give performance levels and not levels of protection.
- Standard18 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard specifies the requirements and test methods for gloves which protect against convective and conductive cold down to –50 °C. This cold can be linked to the climatic conditions or an industrial activity. The specific values of the different performance levels are decided by the special requirements for each class of risk or the special areas of application. Product tests may only give performance levels and not levels of protection.
- Standard18 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document specifies test methods, general requirements, levels of thermal performance and the marking for protective gloves against heat and/or fire. It should be used for all gloves which protect the hands against heat and/or flames in one or more of the following forms: fire, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes or large quantities of molten metal.
There are other standards relevant to specific applications, as for example fire-fighting or welding.
Product tests may only give performance levels and not protection levels.
- Standard15 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document specifies test methods, general requirements, levels of thermal performance and the marking for protective gloves against heat and/or fire. It should be used for all gloves which protect the hands against heat and/or flames in one or more of the following forms: fire, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes or large quantities of molten metal.
There are other standards relevant to specific applications, as for example fire-fighting or welding.
Product tests may only give performance levels and not protection levels.
- Standard15 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard specifies requirements and test methods for gloves to protect against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination. The standard is applicable to gloves offering protection to the hand and various parts of the arm and shoulder. It also applies to gloves to be mounted in permanent containment enclosures.
- Standard15 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard specifies requirements and test methods for gloves to protect against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination. The standard is applicable to gloves offering protection to the hand and various parts of the arm and shoulder. It also applies to gloves to be mounted in permanent containment enclosures.
- Standard15 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard defines the requirements and text methods for gloves which protect against convective or conductive cold down - 50 øC. This cold can be linked to the climatic conditions or an industrial activity. The specific values of the different performance levels are decided by the special requirements for each class of risk or the special areas of application. Product tests can only be carried out for performance levels and not for levels of protection.
- Standard10 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard defines the requirements and text methods for gloves which protect against convective or conductive cold down - 50 øC. This cold can be linked to the climatic conditions or an industrial activity. The specific values of the different performance levels are decided by the special requirements for each class of risk or the special areas of application. Product tests can only be carried out for performance levels and not for levels of protection.
- Standard10 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard specifies test methods, general requirements, levels of thermal performance and the marking for protective gloves against heat and/or fire. It is to be used for all gloves which protect the hands against heat and/or flames in one or more of the following forms: fire, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes or large quantities of molten metal. Product tests may only give performance levels and not protection levels.
- Standard9 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard specifies test methods, general requirements, levels of thermal performance and the marking for protective gloves against heat and/or fire. It is to be used for all gloves which protect the hands against heat and/or flames in one or more of the following forms: fire, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes or large quantities of molten metal. Product tests may only give performance levels and not protection levels.
- Standard9 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For updated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies.
- Standard22 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard specifies a test method for the penetration resistance of gloves that protect against chemicals and/or micro-organisms. At this time it is believed that gloves which resist penetration, when tested according to this part of EN 374, will form an effective barrier to microbiological hazards.
- Standard7 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard covers the determination of the resistance of protective glove materials to permeation by potentially hazardous non-gaseous chemicals under the condition of continuous contact. It is emphasized that the test does not represent conditions likely to be found in service, and the use of test data should be restricted to comparing materials chiefly on a relative basis in broad categories of breakthrough times.
- Standard11 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard specifies the requirements for gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms and defines terms to be used. This standard shall be used in conjunction with EN 420. This standard does not specify requirements for protection against any mechanical hazards. However, there is a requirement for data to be reported on the following mechanical tests: Abrasion, blade cut, tearing resistance and puncture according to the test methods described in EN 388:1993, clauses 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 respectively. This standard does not specify any requirements for protection against thermal or ionizing radiation hazards. If the use requires these types of protection, reference should be made to EN 407 and EN 421 respectively.
- Standard6 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For updated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies.
- Standard22 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard specifies the requirements for gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms and defines terms to be used. This standard shall be used in conjunction with EN 420. This standard does not specify requirements for protection against any mechanical hazards. However, there is a requirement for data to be reported on the following mechanical tests: Abrasion, blade cut, tearing resistance and puncture according to the test methods described in EN 388:1993, clauses 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 respectively. This standard does not specify any requirements for protection against thermal or ionizing radiation hazards. If the use requires these types of protection, reference should be made to EN 407 and EN 421 respectively.
- Standard6 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard covers the determination of the resistance of protective glove materials to permeation by potentially hazardous non-gaseous chemicals under the condition of continuous contact. It is emphasized that the test does not represent conditions likely to be found in service, and the use of test data should be restricted to comparing materials chiefly on a relative basis in broad categories of breakthrough times.
- Standard11 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This standard specifies a test method for the penetration resistance of gloves that protect against chemicals and/or micro-organisms. At this time it is believed that gloves which resist penetration, when tested according to this part of EN 374, will form an effective barrier to microbiological hazards.
- Standard7 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/BC/CEN/88/8 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Order for standardization concerning Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) - hand and harm protection". Order for standardization concerning Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) - hand and harm protection There are 18 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.