ASTM E3109-18

Standard Specification for Protective Gloves Worn by Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers

SCOPE
1.1 This specification addresses protective gloves worn by law enforcement and corrections officers.  
1.2 This specification and related standards were developed by subject matter experts, including experienced end users, using data from a survey of more than 800 U.S. law enforcement and corrections officers.  
1.3 This specification addresses performance requirements, performance ratings, and test methods for whole gloves and for glove components (for example, materials, layers).
Note 1: This specification references published ASTM standards.  
1.3.1 A glove is not uniform in terms of the protection it provides, and different portions or areas of a glove (for example, palm, fingertip) may offer different protection.  
1.3.2 It is not intended that a single glove meet all specified performance requirements within this specification.  
1.4 The glove supplier will identify which of the performance requirements a specific glove meets and the performance ratings for the different portions or areas of the glove.  
1.5 This specification specifies performance requirements for (1) physical protection, including resistance to cut, puncture, and needle stick, and (2) resistance to abrasion and tearing to ensure protection is maintained during use.  
1.5.1 A document outlining dexterity and other physical protection requirements identified by end users as important is being developed.  
1.6 It is expected that this specification will be used by suppliers, test laboratories, certification bodies, and purchasers.  
1.7 It is intended that two related standards be used in conjunction with this specification:  
1.7.1 A Guide for Selection, Procurement, and Use of Protective Gloves Worn by Law Enforcement and Corrections, in development by ASTM.  
1.7.2 Practice E3108.  
1.8 Units—The values stated in SI or CGS2 units are to be regarded as standard. The primary units displayed in this standard are consistent with the referenced ASTM test methods. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions that are provided for information only.  
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2018
• ICS: 13.340.40 - Hand and arm protection
• Technical Committee: E54 - Homeland Security Applications
• Drafting Committee: E54.04 - Public Safety Equipment

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E3005-24 - Standard Terminology for Body Armor and Ballistic Protection
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM E3005-20 - Standard Terminology for Body Armor
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM F2878-19 - Standard Test Method for Protective Clothing Material Resistance to Hypodermic Needle Puncture
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019
• Refers: ASTM E3005-18 - Standard Terminology for Body Armor
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM E3005-15 - Standard Terminology for Body Armor
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM D3884-09(2013)e1 - Standard Guide for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Rotary Platform, Double-Head Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM D1424-09(2013)e1 - Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf-Type) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM D3884-09(2013) - Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Rotary Platform, Double-Head Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM D1424-09(2013) - Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf-Type) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM F2878-10 - Standard Test Method for Protective Clothing Material Resistance to Hypodermic Needle Puncture
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2010
• Refers: ASTM D2582-09 - Standard Test Method for Puncture-Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM D1424-09 - Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum Type (Elmendorf) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2009
• Refers: ASTM D3884-09 - Standard Guide for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Rotary Platform, Double-Head Method)
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2009
• Refers: ASTM D2582-08 - Standard Test Method for Puncture-Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM D1424-07a - Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum Type (Elmendorf) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2007

Overview

ASTM E3109-18: Standard Specification for Protective Gloves Worn by Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers establishes minimum requirements and test methods for protective gloves designed to meet the safety needs of law enforcement and corrections professionals. This specification addresses the performance and labeling of gloves, providing clear criteria for evaluating cut, puncture, needle stick, abrasion, and tear resistance. Developed with input from over 800 U.S. law enforcement and corrections officers, this standard reflects the practical, real-world demands of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the field.

Key Topics

• Performance Requirements: Covers physical protection criteria, including resistance to cuts, punctures, needle sticks, abrasions, and tearing for both whole gloves and specific glove components. Highlights that different glove areas (e.g., palm, fingertips) may offer different levels of protection.
• Test Methods: References established ASTM and international test methods to evaluate glove performance, including procedures to assess cut resistance, puncture resistance (including hypodermic needle puncture), abrasion resistance, and tear resistance.
• Supplier Responsibility: Requires glove suppliers to specify which performance requirements each glove meets and to indicate protective ratings for different glove areas.
• Labeling and Documentation: Outlines mandatory product and packaging label requirements, such as supplier identification, model designation, protection ratings, care instructions, and certification details.
• Coverage and Intended Use: Emphasizes that gloves do not need to meet all protection requirements uniformly and that performance levels will vary based on glove design and marketed use.
• Application of International Principles: Developed in accordance with internationally recognized standards principles per World Trade Organization guidelines.

Applications

ASTM E3109-18 is a critical reference for organizations and individuals involved in the selection, testing, certification, and procurement of protective gloves for law enforcement and corrections personnel. Practical applications include:

• Law Enforcement and Corrections Procurement: Assists agencies and departments in choosing gloves that are proven to meet specific protection needs identified by industry experts and end users.
• Product Design and Manufacturing: Guides manufacturers in developing gloves that satisfy defined performance benchmarks for different protective areas.
• Testing and Certification: Provides test laboratories and certification bodies with standardized methods to evaluate glove product claims for cut resistance, puncture resistance, needle stick resistance, abrasion resistance, and tear resistance.
• Supplier and Purchaser Communication: Standardizes how glove performance is communicated to end users, ensuring transparency in advertised protective areas and performance levels.
• Policy and Health & Safety Compliance: Supports compliance with occupational safety and health standards for personnel who face mechanical and biological hazards.

Related Standards

ASTM E3109-18 works in conjunction with related standards and guidance documents to ensure comprehensive evaluation and selection of protective gloves:

• ASTM E3108 - Practice for Conformity Assessment of Protective Gloves Worn by Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers
• ASTM Guide for Selection, Procurement, and Use of Protective Gloves Worn by Law Enforcement and Corrections (in development)
• Referenced ASTM Test Methods:
  • ASTM F2992/F2992M - Cut Resistance
  • ASTM F2878 - Hypodermic Needle Puncture Resistance
  • ASTM F1342/F1342M - Puncture Resistance
  • ASTM D3884 - Abrasion Resistance
  • ASTM D1424 & D2582 - Tear Resistance
• International and External Standards:
  • ISO EN 388:2003 - Mechanical risk protection for gloves
  • ISO/IEC 17025 - Testing and calibration laboratory competence
  • NIJ Test Protocol 99-114 - Comparative glove evaluation

Practical Value

By using ASTM E3109-18, law enforcement and corrections agencies, PPE manufacturers, and testing laboratories ensure that glove products offer reliable performance tailored to on-the-job threats. The standard’s focus on clear performance ratings, rigorous test methods, and transparent labeling enhances safety, supports procurement decisions, and aligns with best practices in personal protective equipment for public safety officers.

Keywords: protective gloves, law enforcement gloves, corrections officers gloves, PPE, ASTM E3109, cut resistance, puncture resistance, needle stick protection, abrasion resistance, glove testing, product labeling, safety standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:E3109 −18
Standard Specification for
Protective Gloves Worn by Law Enforcement and
Corrections Officers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3109; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.8 Units—The values stated in SI or CGS units are to be
regarded as standard. The primary units displayed in this
1.1 This specification addresses protective gloves worn by
standard are consistent with the referenced ASTM test meth-
law enforcement and corrections officers.
ods. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conver-
1.2 This specification and related standards were developed
sions that are provided for information only.
by subject matter experts, including experienced end users,
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
using data from a survey of more than 800 U.S. law enforce-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ment and corrections officers.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.3 This specification addresses performance requirements,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
performanceratings,andtestmethodsforwholeglovesandfor
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
glove components (for example, materials, layers).
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
NOTE 1—This specification references published ASTM standards.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.3.1 A glove is not uniform in terms of the protection it
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
provides, and different portions or areas of a glove (for
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
example, palm, fingertip) may offer different protection.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3.2 It is not intended that a single glove meet all specified
performance requirements within this specification.
2. Referenced Documents
1.4 The glove supplier will identify which of the perfor-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mance requirements a specific glove meets and the perfor-
NOTE 2—For dated references, only the edition cited applies to prevent
mance ratings for the different portions or areas of the glove.
unanticipated changes in test method procedures. For undated references,
1.5 This specification specifies performance requirements
the latest edition of the referenced document applies, including any
amendments.
for (1) physical protection, including resistance to cut,
ɛ1
D1424 – 09 (2013) Test Method for Tearing Strength of
puncture, and needle stick, and (2) resistance to abrasion and
Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf-Type) Appara-
tearing to ensure protection is maintained during use.
tus
1.5.1 A document outlining dexterity and other physical
D2582 – 09 Test Method for Puncture – Propagation Tear
protection requirements identified by end users as important is
Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
being developed.
D3884 – 09 (2013) Guide forAbrasion Resistance of Textile
1.6 It is expected that this specification will be used by
Fabrics (Rotary Platform, Double-Head Method)
suppliers,testlaboratories,certificationbodies,andpurchasers.
E3005 – 15 Terminology for Body Armor
1.7 It is intended that two related standards be used in
E3108 – 18 Practice for Conformity Assessment of Protec-
conjunction with this specification:
tive Gloves Worn by Law Enforcement and Corrections
1.7.1 A Guide for Selection, Procurement, and Use of
Officers
ɛ1
Protective Gloves Worn by Law Enforcement and Corrections,
F1342/F1342M – 05 (2013) Test Method for Protective
in development by ASTM.
Clothing Material Resistance to Puncture
1.7.2 Practice E3108.
The CGS system of units is based on measuring lengths in centimeters, mass in
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on grams, and time in seconds.
Homeland Security Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
E54.04 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved June 1, 2018. Published July 2018. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
E3109-18. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3109−18
F2878 – 10 Test Method for Protective Clothing Material 4. Significance and Use
Resistance to Hypodermic Needle Puncture
4.1 The purpose of this specification is to provide perfor-
F2992/F2992M – 15 Test Method for Measuring Cut Resis-
mance requirements and test methods for the evaluation of
tance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing with
protective gloves used in law enforcement and corrections
Tomodynamometer (TDM-100) Test Equipment
applications.
4.2 Test methods and performance ratings are included to
2.2 Other Standards:
aid glove purchasers and end users in their evaluation of
ISO EN 388:2003 Gloves Giving Protection from Mechani-
whether a protective glove meets their needs. It is not required
cal Risks
that a glove meet every performance requirement specified in
ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence
this specification.
of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
NIJ Test Protocol 99-114 Test Protocol for Comparative
5. Test Item Requirements
Evaluation of Protective Gloves for Law Enforcement and
5.1 The supplier shall provide to the test laboratory a
Corrections Applications
sufficient number of test items to accomplish the required
testing.
3. Terminology
5.1.1 The test methods referenced in Section 6 specify the
3.1 Definitions:
number of test items required for each test.
3.1.1 abrasion, n—the wearing away of any part of a
NOTE 3—It is recommended that spare test items be provided.
material by rubbing against another surface. D3884
5.2 A test item may be any of the following:
3.1.2 advertised protective area, n—an area of a glove
5.2.1 a whole glove, if the protective area is of sufficient
stated by the supplier as having specific protection.
size for the test,
5.2.2 a portion of a glove (for example, a finger), if the
3.1.3 cut resistance, n—in blade cut testing, the property
protective area is of sufficient size for the test,
that hinders cut through when a material or a combination of
5.2.3 a swatch having the same configuration (that is,
materials is exposed to a sharp-edged device.
material and construction) as the relevant advertised protective
F2992/F2992M
area of the glove. If there are multiple different advertised
3.1.4 cut through, n—in blade cut resistance tests, the
protective areas of the glove with different configurations,
penetration of the cutting edge entirely through material as
swatches shall be provided for each protective area being
indicated by electrical contact of the cutting edge and the
tested.
conductive strip or substrate. F2992/F2992M
5.3 At least one whole glove pair shall be submitted with
3.1.5 hypodermic needle, n—a hollow bore stainless steel
test items to confirm appearance is consistent with test items.
cylinder with a beveled tip used to penetrate the skin by That glove shall have a product label meeting the requirements
cutting; often used in conjunction with a syringe for injecting of Section 8 of this specification.
or withdrawing fluids. F2878
5.4 Replicate test items shall be identical in appearance,
materials of construction, and material configuration.
3.1.6 material configuration, n—an arrangement of materi-
als in a particular form, figure, layering, or combination.
5.5 Unless otherwise stated, the test threat shall be intro-
duced from the outside of the glove.
3.1.7 supplier, n—the party that is responsible for ensuring
that products meet and, if applicable, continue to meet, the
6. Performance Requirements
requirements. adapted from ISO/IEC 17065
6.1 The glove supplier shall specify which performance
3.1.8 tearing force, n—infabric,theforcerequiredeither(1)
requirementsaremetbythegloveandtheadvertisedprotective
to start or (2) to continue or propagate a tear in a fabric under
area for each type of protection. The glove supplier shall
specified conditions. D1424
clearly indicate using a written description, diagrams,
photographs, or any combination thereof of the glove to depict
3.1.9 tear resistance, n—in fabrics, the resistance to a
the areas offering specific protection in accordance with this
tearing force. D1424
specification.
3.1.10 test item, n—a single article intended for testing.
E3005 NOTE 4—Appendix X1 provides examples of approaches for depicting
protective areas of the glove by performance level in accordance with this
specification.
6.2 For each advertised protective area, the glove shall be
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
tested per the relevant test methods below and shall meet the
Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
respective requirement(s).
Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
6.2.1 Resistance ratings are specific to Law Enforcement
Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
needs and may not reflect the same levels as seen in other
Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
industry applications.
AvailablefromNationalInstituteofJustice(NIJ),8107thSt.,NW,Washington,
DC 20531, http://nij.gov. 6.2.2 Cut Resistance:
E3109−18
TABLE 2 Hypodermic Needle Puncture Resistance Performance
6.2.2.1 This test is applicable to advertised protective areas
having cut resistance. Hypodermic
Average Load/Force of Penetration
Needle Puncture
6.2.2.2 The test item shall be tested as specified in Test
Resistance
Newtons (Pounds-force) (Grams-force)
Method F2992/F2992M –
...