Unknown to most people, gloves in Australia are almost always sold as compliant to Australian or European Standards. They may show the ‘CE’ mark and mechanical score and symbol like ‘EN388 4542F’ . They may state in their literature ‘Compliant to European Standards’ or ‘meets European Standards’. They may also print AS/NZS 2161.3 on the glove as a way of claiming the glove is standards approved.
This is NOT the same as being certified to any standard.
Unfortunately, compliant gloves with these markings require no proof or validation from the glove manufacturer that they are accurate.
For Force360 this is not acceptable. Hand injuries are commonplace, and simply making compliance claims is just not enough to guarantee a glove’s mechanical score, or it’s protection levels.
Asking a trusted and independent notifying body to certify the glove’s mechanical performance, guarantees that the scores are accurate, and the gloves actually meet the minimum requirements of the relevant standard(s).
Force360 has entrusted the Notifying Body BSI Group, a worlds’ leading Standards Certifier to ensure that all mechanical scores are validated. This certification process ensures manufacturing processes and facilities, test certificates, and the product itself are audited & scrutinized so that all claims are accurate. The notifying body in affect becomes a gatekeeper of hand protection for the wearer.
Force360’s entire hand protection range is certified by BSI Group to the latest Australian Sand European standards.
Certified products must show the Notifying Body’s logo, and the license number they have issued the manufacturer, as the standards and performance mechanical scores the glove meets.
Force360 holds AS/NZS 2161.2:2020 (EN ISO 21420:2020) Certification which tests for the following:
Innocuousness - This test ensures gloves are free from any dangerous chemicals or substances that may harm the wearer. PH and chromium levels must also fall within specified parameters. Every component material must be tested.
Finger Dexterity - Critical for wearer productivity and wearer safety. Dexterity must be within specific parameters.
Sizing & Fit - Critical for wearer comfort, productivity and ultimately wearer safety.
Product markings and Instructions - The wearer of the gloves should always know as much as possible about the glove they are about to wear and use. Instructions on how to use the gloves correctly along with care instructions and limitations are all included.
Force360 holds AS/NZS 2161.3:2020 (EN 388:2016) Certification which tests for the following:
Mechanical Scores - Abrasion resistance, blade cut, tear and puncture resistance are all tested and then certified. Unlike a stand-alone test certificate that are often produced by glove suppliers so they can claim EN388 compliance, Force360’s mechanical scores are tested in an international accredited test lab and then further validated by BSI Group so you know they are 100% accurate.
With gloves that are not certified, how do you really trust their claim? In summary, a Cut F glove from Force360 is just that - Cut F.
