Work gloves: the EN388 standard is changing
Standards for work gloves are extremely strict. The EN388 standard is evolving: what changes can we expect? Find out from Sarah Bachir, our Gloves Product Manager.
Standards for work gloves are extremely strict. The EN388 standard is evolving: what changes can we expect? Find out from Sarah Bachir, our Gloves Product Manager.
Standards for work gloves are extremely strict. The EN388 standard is evolving: what changes can we expect? Find out from Sarah Bachir, our Gloves Product Manager.
Expertise, PPE, Products
Update 06.11.24
Sarah Bachir, Gloves Product Manager: The EN388 standard applies to multi-purpose mechanical protection gloves. It assesses five criteria:
Each of these criteria is certified independently, and the results for each are displayed on the glove label. The latest version of the EN388 standard dates from 2018, and changes have already been announced with a view to improving safety.
Sarah Bachir: The standard will be renamed EN ISO 23388. The first expected change concerns cut resistance tests. New test methods will be introduced to get as close as possible to the real conditions in which gloves are used.
What's more, until now this resistance was measured on a scale of A to F: an additional level, G, will be added.
The second change is that impact resistance test methods will be harmonised and clarified. In particular, they will make it possible to measure the spread of the impact on the hand.
Finally, resistance to hypodermic puncture will now be tested.
Sarah Bachir: These changes will affect almost all our work gloves. The new standard should be official within 2 or 3 years. So our aim is to anticipate and use this time to adapt our models so that they meet the new requirements and protect workers as well as possible.
To find out more about the properties of Delta Plus gloves and how they protect you from the various risks associated with your job, read on in our article dedicated to 3 technical glove terms: fibre, gauge and coating - 3 requirements to consider when choosing your work gloves.