A CE mark on a work glove is not a universal guarantee that it protects against all risks. For a professional buyer, it is crucial to check the specific model's intended use, labeling and documentation before putting it into use.
What does CE marking mean on personal protective equipment?
The CE marking indicates that the manufacturer declares the product's conformity with the EU regulations that apply to the product. For personal protective equipment, Regulation (EU) 2016/425 is central. The CE mark is not an independent quality rating and does not only say which work task a glove is suitable for.
Three documents the buyer must check
- Exact item number: Match the product model designation on the packaging, in the offer and in the documentation.
- EU declaration of conformity: Check which model and which legislation the declaration covers. The manufacturer must be able to provide the relevant declaration.
- Instructions for use and risk data: Check intended use, limitations, sizes, maintenance and any test results for the specific risk.
What protection does the glove have?
One work glove may be intended for mechanical risks, while another is designed for chemical exposure. A standard reference must therefore be read together with the specific classification. For mechanical risks, you can use our guide for EN 388 marking. For disposable gloves for chemical or medical tasks, our overview of EN 455 and EN ISO 374 is relevant.
The right glove depends on the workplace's risk assessment. A CE mark or specific gram weight cannot replace this assessment.
How to make shopping easier
Record the model, item number, size, approved use and link to the documentation on each purchase line. If several employees use the same type of glove, the company can determine an approved model per task and thus reduce the risk of mistaken purchases when re-ordering.
See Nordic Safety's work gloves. Always check the product documentation before choosing a model for a particular risk.
Scientific basis
Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council on personal protective equipment. This article is a general purchasing guide and does not document a specific Nordic Safety model's classification.
