EN standards helps us distinguish between different products and their protection level which are linked to directive 89/686/EEC.

A product which has been approved and certified may be marked with the CE-mark. The CE mark provides documentation that the product complies with performance standards set for a product of such nature.The gloves are specially designed to protect the hands against cold. In accordance to EN 511, all testing has been performed on the material combination used in the glove. The gloves insulation properties may be affected by for example air temperature, humidity, wind speed, time of exposure, activity level, health and well being of the user. If wet, the glove may lose its insulative properties.

TestLevels
Convective cold0-4 where 4 is best
Contact cold0-4 where 4 is best
Capability of resisting water (5 min.)0 or 1*

* 0 = Water penetration after 5 min, according to EN 511:2006, which replaces previous standards with 30 minutes.
1 = No water penetration after 5 min, according to EN 511:2006, which replaces previous standards with 30 minutes.
X = The glove has not been submitted to the test or the test method appears not to be suitable for the glove design or material.

 

Explanation on levels of performance (Table relevant in ambient air temperature at a wind speed below 0,5 m/s.)

Performance LevelMinimum using conditions [°C]

Low activity
Minimum using conditions [°C]

Medium activity
Minimum using conditions [°C]

High activity
1-10-15
2-0-30
38-15-
4-10-30-

Protective clothing certified according to EN 1149-5 provides the wearer with electrostatic dissipative clothing with reduced risk of sparking. The garment should be used as part of a total earthed system to avoid combustible discharges.

Use the garment in combination with other garments providing protection as defined in EN 13034. Chemical protective suit (Type 6) shall cover and protect at least the trunk and the limbs, e.g. one-piece coveralls or two piece suits, with or without hood, boot-socks or boot-covers. Chemical protective suit (Type 6) forms the lowest level of chemical protection and is intended to be used if risks have been assessed as low and a full liquid permeation barrier is not necessary, i.e. when wearers are able to take timely adequate action when their clothing is contaminated. Low risks could be e.g. a potential exposure to small quantities of spray or accidental low volume splashes.

Note that prolonged wearing of chemical protective suits may cause heat stress!

All chemical protective clothing materials are tested and classified in accordance with Table 1. The construction of seams shall prevent penetration of liquid through stitch holes or through other components of a seam and not obstruct run-off of the liquid.

 

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS (EN 14325:2004)

TestTest methodPerformance requirements
Abrasion resistanceEN 530-2Class 1: > 10 cycles
Trapezoidal tear resistanceISO 9073-4Class 1: > 10 N
Tensile strengthISO 13934-1Class 1: > 30 N
Puncture resistanceEN 863Class 1: > 5 N
Repellency to liquidsEN 368Class 3: > 95%
Resistance to penetration by liquidsEN 368Class 3: > 95%

Protective clothing complying with this International Standard is intendedto protect the user against occasional and brief contact with small igniting flames, incircumstances where there is no significant heat hazard and without the presence ofanother type of heat. When protection against heat hazards is necessary, ISO 11612is recommended.

Protective clothing according to EN ISO 14116 may consist of several separategarments, or a single garment with one or more layers. All assemblies claiming compliancewith this standard shall achieve a limited flame spread index of 1, 2 or 3 whentested in accordance with ISO 15025.

Limited flame spread index

  • Index 1 (flame spread, flaming debris and afterglow properties)
  • Index 2 (as index 1 and included hole formation properties)
  • Index 3 ( as index 2 and included afterflame properties)

If the index is 1 (lowest level) the garment can only be used outside a garment withindex 2 or 3. Index 1 may not have skin contact, e.g. neck and wrist.

Kneepads certified according to EN 14404 protects the wearer at work in the kneeling position.

Knee protection class are classified as follows:

Protection ClassAppropriate use
Protection Class 0Flat floor surfaces
Protection Class 1Flat or uneven floor surfaces. Protects against penetration by a force of at least (100 ± 5) N
Protection Class 2Flat or uneven floor surfaces under severe conditions. Protects against penetration by a force of at least (250 ± 10) N

Knee-pad type is classified as follows:

TypePresentation
Type 1Kneepads independent of other clothing, fastened around the legs.
Type 2Knee pads in foam or other padding, secured in pockets on the legs, or which is permanently attached to the pants.
Type 3Knee pads not stuck to the body, but placed in position as the user moves around.
Type 4Knee pads, which is part of a unit with additional functions, such as the framework for support to stand up, or kneeling seat. Can be worn on the body, or be independent.

This International standard specifies requirements for high visibility clothing which are capable of visually signaling the wearer’s presence. The selection and use of high-visibility clothing should be based on a risk assessment of the conditions in which the wearer of the high-visibility clothing will be working.

A = Class according to visible materials minimum area (maximum 3)
B = The reflective material’s reflection ability (maximum 2)

ClassBackground material (m²)Reflective material (m²)
10.140.10
20.500.13
30.800.20

Protective clothing certified according to EN 342 gives the wearer protection against cold environment. Requirements are set on thermal insulation and air permeability. Resistance to water penetration is an optional requirement.

A = Thermal insulation, measured value
B = Air permeability class (1 – 3 where is best)
C = Resistance to water penetration class (optional) (1-2 where 2 is best)

Protective clothing certified according to EN 343 protect against precipitation as rain or snow, fog and ground humidity. The garment and the seams are tested for its water resistance, but also water vapour resistivity. The garment is classified according to water resistant properties, and the water vapour resistivity gives the recommended working time.

A = Class waterpenetration (max 3)
B = Class water vapor resistance (max 3)

Water penetration resistanceClass 1Class 2Class 3
Test on fabric≥ 8 000 Pa, before pre-treatment≥ 8 000 Pa , after pre-treatment≥ 13 000 Pa, after pre-treatment
Tests on seam, before pre-treatment≥ 8 000 Pa≥ 8 000 Pa≥ 13 000
Protective clothing certified according to EN 381-5 gives the wearer’s leg protection against cuts from hand-held chainsaws. The garment is classified by the speed at which the chain saw chain, it protects against.

ClassChain speed (m/s)
120
224
328

According to EN 381-5 there are 3 different design classes:

Design A and B are meant to be used in normal logging work of professional foresters, who are well trained and knowledgeable in the field. Design C covers the entire leg and is for use by persons who do not normally work with chainsaws, or in extraordinary situations, such as when working in trees.In accordance to EN 388:2004 all tests and results are performed from the palm area of the glove material and on the material combination used in the glove. The gloves are specially designed to protect the hands from mechanical injuries.

Warning! Observe caution when working with moving machine parts, as the gloves can get caught and cause injury.

Warning! The gloves shall not be worn when there is a risk of entanglement by moving parts of machines.

Levels of performance:

TestLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5
Abrasion resistance (No. of cycles)10050020008000-
Blade cut resistance (Index)1.22.55.010.020.0
Tear resistance (N)10255075-
Puncture resistance (N)2060100150-
In this standard you will find the general requirements for protective gloves as follow:

  • The gloves themselves should not impose a risk or cause injury.
  • The pH of the gloves should be as close as possible to neutral.
  • Leather gloves should have a pH value between 3.5 – 9.5.
  • The highest permitted value for chromium is 3 mg/kg (chrome VI).
  • Specific details of any substance used in the glove which is known to cause allergies
  • Sized by reference to an agreed common European hand size, for example minimum length.

Categories:
Working gloves that have the purpose of protecting the user against risk or danger are often divided into 3 categories.

Category I
Simpel design and minimal risks. Exempel of glove types are household gloves, garden gloves and light-duty cotton or leather gloves. The gloves are tested and certified under EN 420. This standard defines the general requirements for protective gloves and are a guarantee for CE marking.

Category II
Simpel design and minimal risks. Exempel of glove types are household gloves, garden gloves and light-duty cotton or leather gloves. The gloves are tested and certified under EN 420. This standard defines the general requirements for protective gloves and are a guarantee for CE marking.

Category I
Simpel design and minimal risks. Exempel of glove types are household gloves, garden gloves and light-duty cotton or leather gloves. The gloves are tested and certified under EN 420. This standard defines the general requirements for protective gloves and are a guarantee for CE marking.Replaced by EN 20471. Protective clothing certified according to EN 471 gives the wearer visibility in hazardous situations under any light of day and under illumination by vehicle headlights in the dark. High demands are set on the fabric including colour and retro reflection. The garment is classified by the area of visible material.

A = Class in accordance to areas of visible material (max 3)
B = Level of retro reflective material performance level (max 2)

TestBackground material (m²)Reflective material (m²)
10.140.10
20.500.13
30.800.20

When wearing several high visibility garments is possible to add the square surfaces of visible material, and thus achieve a higher class. However, you cannot combine classes in order to achieve higher class (e.g. Class 1 + Class 2 Class = 3). Contact Blåkläder for more specific information regarding your garment’s surface.Protective clothing certified according to EN 61482-1-2 protects the wearer against the hazards of an electric arc.

The garment is classified as follows:

ClassArk (kA)Time (ms)
14500
27500

Replaces EN 470-1. Protective clothing certified according to EN ISO 11611 gives the wearer protection against small splashes of molten metal, and brief contact with flame. The garments certified to this standard are suitable for use in welding and allied processes.

The garment is classified for the protection ability against different levels of welding technology, which cause more or less spatter and radiant heat.

Class 1 – Protects against less hazardous welding techniques and situations, causing lower spatter and radiant heat

Class 2 – Protects against riskier welding techniques and situations, which causes higher levels of spatter and radiant heat

(A1) Limited flame spread

(A2) Limited flame spread, hemmed specimensSpecification for safety footwear for professional use: Footwear with characteristics suitable for protecting the wearer against injuries that may occur in the professional sectors for which the footwear has been designed, with toe caps for providing protection against impact, when tested at an energy level of 200 J.

  • I. Footwear made from leather and other materials, excluding all-rubber or all-polymeric footwear.
  • II. All-rubber or all-polymeric footwear.

Marking categories of safety shoes:

CategoryClassAdditional requirement
SBI or II
S1IClosed seat region
Antistatic properties
Energy absorption of seat region
S2IAs S1 plus water penetration and water absorption.
S3IAs S2 plus penetration resistance and cleated outsole.
S4IIAntistatic properties. Energy absorption of seat region.
S5IIAs S4 plus penetration resistance and cleated outsole

Additional requirements:

RequirementSymbol
Whole footwearPenetration resistanceP
Conductive footwearC
Antistatic footwearA
Electrically insulating footwearI
Heat insulation of sole complexHI
Cold insulation of sole complexCI
Energy absorption of seat regionE
Water resistanceWR
Metatarsal protectionM
Ankle protectionAN
UpperWater penetration and water absorptionWRU
Cut resistanceCR
SoleResistance to hot contactHO

Requirements for footwear resistant to slip:

Marking of product for slip resistance propertiesSymbol
Ceramic tile with sodium lauryl sulphateSRA
Steel with glycerolSRB
Ceramic tile with sodium lauryl sulphate & steel with glycerolSRC

Replaces EN 531. Protective clothing certified according to EN ISO 11612 gives the wearer protection against brief contact with heat and flame. The heat can be convective, radiant, molten material, or a combination thereof.

The garment is classified for the following parameters:

(A1) Limited flame spread

(A2) Limited flame spread, hemmed specimens

(B) Convective heat, scale 1-3 where 3 is the best

(C) Radiant heat, scale 1-4, where 4 is best

(D) Molten aluminium splash, scale 1-3 where 3 is the best

(E) Molten iron splash, scale 1-3 where 3 is the best

(F) Contact Heat, scale 1-3 where 3 is the bestSafety equipment is a number one priority for us!
The glossary below helps you determine which type of footwear is best for your needs and your line of work.

  • Anti-static properties
  • Heel energy absorption
  • Sole resistance against hydrocarbons

  • Anti-static properties
  • Heel energy absorption
  • Sole resistance against hydrocarbons
  • Waterproofing
  • Anti-shock sole

  • Full footwear water resistance

  • Slip resistance
  • Appropriate for all types of hard floors, multi-usage, for indoors or outdoors

  • Electrostatic discharge