Overview
ISO 20057:2017 - Rubber household gloves - General requirements and test methods - defines performance, dimensional and test requirements for household gloves made from natural rubber latex, synthetic rubber latex or blends. The standard is a quality and testing guide to help manufacturers, test laboratories and buyers obtain gloves of consistent performance for routine domestic use. It does not cover safe use, handling, packaging beyond the outlined marking and packaging requirements.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and materials: Applies to single- or multi-layer gloves, ambidextrous or handed, smooth or textured, with or without flock lining.
- Dimensions: Palm width classes (XS < 80 mm, S 90 ± 10 mm, M 100 ± 10 mm, L 110 ± 10 mm, XL > 120 mm); minimum length 260 mm; minimum single-wall thickness 0.20 mm (see Annex A for numeric size code).
- Tensile properties and classification:
- Gloves are classified by initial and after-ageing tensile performance into Class 1 or Class 2 and by liquid-immersion performance into Class A or Class B.
- Example requirements (Table 3): Class 1 tensile strength > 15 MPa and elongation > 550%; after ageing (70 °C/168 h or 100 °C/24 h) tensile > 12 MPa and elongation > 450%. Class 2 allows lower ranges.
- After immersion in test liquids (water, diluted surfactant, diluted acid) Class A and B limits are defined (Table 4).
- pH: Glove aqueous extract pH shall be between 5 and 9.
- Sampling & inspection: Lot inspection follows ISO 2859-1 with inspection level S-2 and AQL 4.0 for appearance, dimensions and tensile properties; specific sampling rules for immersion and pH tests.
- Test methods referenced: ISO 37 (tensile), ISO 188 (accelerated ageing), ISO 23529 (conditioning and thickness), ISO 3071 (pH).
Practical applications and users
Who uses ISO 20057:2017:
- Glove manufacturers - to design and certify product lines that meet repeatable quality and performance targets.
- Quality control and testing laboratories - for validated test methods (tensile, ageing, immersion, pH, dimensions).
- Procurement teams and retailers - to specify minimum performance classes for household gloves.
- Standards writers and regulators - for product compliance and labeling guidance.
Typical applications:
- Consumer household gloves for dishwashing, cleaning or light domestic tasks where protection against low chemical risk and mechanical wear is required.
Related standards
- ISO 37 - Tensile testing of rubber
- ISO 188 - Accelerated ageing and heat resistance
- ISO 2859-1 - Sampling procedures (AQL)
- ISO 23529 - Preparing/conditioning test pieces
- ISO 3071 - pH of aqueous extract
Keywords: ISO 20057:2017, rubber household gloves, test methods, tensile properties, ageing, pH, glove dimensions, sampling, latex gloves, glove standards.
