CE Category Information

Personal Protective Equipment Directives (89/686/CEE) and (93/68/CEE) have been put in place by the European Community to ensure all regulations regarding testing of all PPE sold within the community works together. All gloves of intermediate and a more complex design must now be tested independently to grade their performance and ensure their safety to the user. It is a requirement that if they meet these standards, a CE Mark is visible on the gloves or their packaging when it is not practical.

Category 1

Simple Design - for minimal risks only. Gloves in this category are intended to protect the user from minimal injuries that might occur during for example washing, dishing but also from hot objects where temperatures are below +50C. Also suitable for less heavy gardening and other work where the risk for lighter injuries.

CAT III

Category 2

Intermediate Design - reversible risks. This category of gloves is intended to protect the user from injuries that are not classified as minimal nor very high. The gloves must be marked with a pictogram showing the glove's protection properties and are tested according to the standard EN388, mechanical protection, at an accredited test institute. All category 2 gloves are validated and type certified by a Notified Body to show the validity of protection.

Category 3

Potentially fatal risks, for example in activities where toxic or highly corrosive chemicals are handled. Gloves in this category protect against risks that may cause very serious consequences such as death or irreversible damage to health. The gloves must be marked with pictograms showing the glove's protection properties and must be tested at an accredited test institute. They must also be validated and certified, for both type and production control, by a Notified Body to show the validity of protection. Chemical protection gloves are all category 3 but also heat protection can be classified to this category.