CE Category I.

Simple Design- for minimal risks only. Suitable only for low risk applications where hazards can be identified by the wearer in time to deal with them.

CE Category II.

Intermediate Design- reversible risks. Products are type examined by an approved body where they examine the manufacturers technical specifications and conduct tests for the relevant standards to ascertain their conformity and/or performance.

CE Category III.

Potentially fatal risks, for example in activities where toxic or highly corrosive chemicals are handled. The glove must meet the standards set out for this category. Its compliance is not only certified but also checked by a notified body, the reference number of which is located below the CE logo.

EN 420 General Requirements

Markings
Each glove carries the Showa logo, the reference, the size and CE mark. If it is classed in category III, the number of the notified body that carried out the tests also appears on the glove.

Dexterity (1-5)
The vast majority of Showa gloves offer maximum dexterity (5).

Innocuousness (pH)
All Showa gloves are checked for compliance in terms of their pH value (between 3.5 and 9.5).

Performance levels
The higher the rating, the greater the performance, the lowest rating being zero.

EN 388 Mechanical Risks .

The glove’s resistance to abrasion, cutting, tearing puncturing is laboratory tested. The figures shown for each glove, beneath the symbol for this standard, should be interpreted as follows:

PERFORMANCE LEVELS

(a): 0 to 4

(b): 0 to 5

(c): 0 to 4

(d): 0 to 4

REQUIREMENTS:

RESISTANCE TO ABRASION (A)
Number of cycles required for the sample to fail, at a constant speed.

RESISTANCE TO CUTTING BY SLICING (B)
Index calculated from the number of cycles required to cut the sample at a constant speed.

RESISTANCE TO TEARING (C)
Force required to tear the sample.

RESISTANCE TO PUNCURING (D)
Force required to pierce the sample with a standard steel punch.

EN 374-3 Chemical Risks

The time taken to penetrate the glove (permeation) is measured in a laboratory.  To find out the chemical resistance of the materials used, check the table Comparison Chart on the site.

PERFORMANCE LEVELS

 0 to 6

REQUIREMENTS:

PERMEATION

EN 511 Cold-related Risks

The tests determine the glove’s level of performance in cold climates or artificially cold environments where the cold is transferred by convection and/or through contact.  It may also be mentioned whether the glove is waterproof.

PERFORMANCE LEVELS

(a): 0 to 4

(b): 0 to 4

(c): 0 to 1

REQUIREMENTS:

RESISTANCE TO CONVECTIVE COLD (A)

RESISTANCE TO CONTACT COLD (B)

IMPERMEABILITY TO WATER (C)

EN407 Thermal (heat) hazards.

a Resistance to flamability 0-4
b Contact heat resistance 0-4
c Convective heat resistance 0-4
d Radiant heat resistance 0-4
e Resistance to small molten metal splash 0-4
f Resistance to large molten metal splash 0-4

EN 374-2 Micro-organisms Risks

The glove is deemed to be resistant to micro-organisms if it has successfully undergone the penetration test this standard requires.

REQUIREMENTS:

PENETRATION – air or water leakage test

2002/72 EC Food Compatability

European directive 2002/72 (which replaces 90/128/EEC) governs the conditions and restrictions that all plastic materials and objects much comply with if they are intended to come into contact with foods.

EN1149-1 Antistatic properties

The glove attains the levels of resistivity required by this standard in terms of electrostatic conduction or dissipation.