REACH compliance in safety gloves: Why it matters

Imagine this: you reach for a pair of safety gloves, and your only thought is whether they'll protect you from cuts, punctures, chemicals, or extreme temperatures. What you’re probably not thinking about is whether the gloves themselves contain any harmful chemicals that could be a risk to you. And why should you have to? Safety gloves are supposed to protect—not introduce new hazards. 

That's why REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) compliance should be a big deal in the safety industry. REACH is a regulation in the European Union that holds manufacturers to a high standard when it comes to the chemical makeup of products. It's all about making sure that the materials used are safe, both for you and for the environment. And at HexArmor®, we take these regulations seriously and go beyond North American standards, carefully selecting materials that keep our gloves compliant with REACH regulatory compliance—meaning we avoid hazardous chemicals wherever possible. 

You might wonder why we’re talking about European standards when HexArmor® is based in the U.S. The U.S. market for chemicals in PPE isn’t regulated to the same degree, but we see REACH compliance as a best-in-class certification —prioritizing your safety and well-being with every glove we make. Let’s dive into what that commitment looks like and why it matters. 

So, what is REACH, anyway? 

REACH is one of the most comprehensive safety regulations out there, created by the European Union to protect consumers from harmful substances in everyday products. Think of it as a watchdog over thousands of chemicals—about 23,000 to be exact! Each chemical is tested to make sure it doesn’t cause more harm than good, whether it’s in cosmetics, electronics, or even your safety gloves. This testing is required to be completed every five years, but we test every two to three years.  

One critical part of REACH is SVHC, which stands for “substances of very high concern.” This list identifies particularly hazardous chemicals that can only be used within strict safety limits. These limits are often measured in tiny amounts, like parts per million or even billion, making it a high bar for safety that many companies prefer not to cross. The result? Safer products for you, with fewer toxic chemicals involved. 

REACH requires that any PPE sold in the EU pass specific compliance tests. This is similar to Prop65 that most American companies are familiar with, however, unlike Prop65 where you are allowed to sell products with virtually any chemical – or concentration of that chemical as long as you have a warning label – if you fail any chemical under REACH testing, you are not allowed to sell products in the EU. By meeting these standards, companies show that their gloves are free from harmful levels of restricted chemicals—keeping the focus on protection, just as it should be. 

But how can you tell if a glove has passed a REACH test? It’s simple— look for a couple of key indicators right on the glove. 

How to know if a glove has passed REACH testing 

The easiest way is to look for two important markings that should be right on the glove. Without these, the glove may not actually meet compliance standards. 

First, check for the “CE” mark. This stands for Conformité Européenne, which is just a European way of saying that the product meets EU laws. However, the CE mark alone doesn’t tell you much—it’s only reliable when paired with a Notified Body registration number. This four-digit code confirms that a certified organization has tested the glove and that it meets all REACH requirements. 

But what exactly is a Notified Body? These are independent organizations appointed by EU member states to ensure that products meet safety and performance standards like REACH. They enforce conformity across the board, verifying that any protective claims, like cut resistance, are backed up by thorough testing.  

In a way, they’re like a “secret shopper” for safety standards—with the lab and authority to pull products from the market if they don’t meet the regulations. 

You can usually find the Notified Body number in a few places: on the glove’s packaging, in marketing materials, on the Declaration of Conformity that should come with the glove, or in the information for use sheet at the point of sale.  

This number is also shown on the official certificate issued by the testing body, confirming that the glove has received a score for every required safety test. 

When you see both the CE mark and the Notified Body number, you can feel confident that the glove meets EU safety and performance standards for PPE. For REACH compliance specifically, manufacturers must provide documentation confirming the absence of restricted substances in accordance with the REACH regulation. 

Spotting REACH compliance on our product pages 

To make it even easier for you to identify gloves that meet REACH standards, we’re adding a REACH compliance icon on our product pages. This symbol helps you understand which HexArmor® gloves meet this high safety benchmark. 

Why EU standards matter—and why we follow them 

The ANSI/ISEA 105-2023 standard, which guides glove performance and testing in the U.S., didn’t exist 30 years ago. Back then, most U.S. manufacturers looked to the EU standards because they were further along in their safety performance testing and guidance.  

Today, the U.S. still doesn’t regulate PPE (or many other goods) as thoroughly as the EU. Selling PPE in Europe means passing through one of the toughest, most highly regulated markets out there.  

The importance of asking questions 

When it comes to purchasing gloves—especially for your entire crew—asking questions about the materials used is essential. Many PPE gloves may seem effective on the surface, but without REACH compliance or similar safety standards, there’s no guarantee that they’re chemical-free gloves or skin-safe gloves. These unknowns can lead to unnecessary exposure to toxic substances, which might pose serious health risks or injuries over time, particularly with prolonged use. 

What's at stake? If you don’t ask questions about chemical safety, you may unknowingly choose products that put your team at risk for potential long-term health problems, or even risk potential environmental contamination. Your crew deserves protection that goes beyond just the visible safety features. Ensuring the gloves you buy meet stringent standards, like REACH, guarantees a safer, healthier choice for both workers and the environment.  

REACH-ing further 

We’re in the business of protecting people, and we take that seriously. Our products pass some of the toughest tests globally, setting us apart in a field where not many U.S. companies can claim the same. In fact, we go further on several chemicals under REACH and lower our acceptable permissible limits. 

• Example 1: The permissible level for Lead is 500 ppm but our limit is 90 ppm. 
• Example 2: The permissible level for phenols in rubber compounds is 1000 ppm, and ours is 100 ppm. 

We even have a dedicated team focused on advancing ANSI/ISEA testing standards in the States. Why? Because meeting a standard isn’t enough if you have the opportunity to exceed it. 

That’s why we’re committed to referencing REACH and other advanced regulations. Low-cost PPE suppliers can’t offer the same level of rigor or commitment to compliance—and that’s a big deal. It tells consumers that HexArmor® prioritizes quality, safety, and trust in a way that goes beyond just price. 

HexArmor can help

Ready to find gloves that go the extra mile for your safety? Check out our complete list of REACH-compliant gloves and experience the HexArmor® difference for yourself.  

Let us know if you have questions or would like to start a trial – our Solution Specialists are ready to work with you. Call 1-877-MY ARMOR or send us a message.