Why REACH Compliance is Critical for Chemical Safety in PPE

Why REACH compliance is critical for chemical safety in PPE

June 27, 2025
By HexArmor, for the Blue Print

When you reach for a pair of safety gloves, most likely your only thought is about the protection you'll receive against cuts, punctures, chemicals, or extreme temperatures. What you’re probably not thinking about is whether the gloves themselves might contain harmful substances that could put you at risk. And why should you have to? Safety gloves are supposed to protect, not introduce new hazards.

That’s why REACH compliance is a big deal in the PPE world. REACH, short for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals, is a European Union regulation that sets strict limits on the chemicals allowed in products, including PPE like gloves. It’s designed to protect not only workers, but also the environment, by ensuring that products are free from harmful substances.

The U.S. market, by comparison, doesn’t regulate chemicals in PPE to the same degree. That’s why many manufacturers look to REACH regulation as a best-in-class benchmark for product safety - it’s a way of making sure that gloves are as safe as they are protective, without hidden chemical risks.

What is REACH, anyway?

REACH is one of the most comprehensive chemical safety regulations in the world, covering over 23,000 substances. It’s like a watchdog that monitors everything from cosmetics and electronics to the safety gear workers wear every day.

A key part of REACH is the SVHC list, that’s “substances of very high concern.” These are chemicals that pose significant health or environmental risks and are tightly controlled. If a product uses any of these substances, they must stay below strict thresholds, sometimes measured in parts per million or even billion. The result? Products that meet REACH standards tend to have fewer toxic chemicals, making them safer for both people and the planet.

For PPE like gloves, passing REACH compliance tests is a legal requirement to sell into the EU market. Unlike some regulations (think California’s Proposition 65, where products can still be sold if they carry a warning label), REACH doesn’t offer that leeway. If a glove fails REACH testing, it can’t be sold in the EU, period.

How to spot a glove that meets REACH standards

So how can you tell if a glove meets REACH requirements? There are two key markings to look for:

The CE Mark: This is a general sign that a product complies with EU laws.
The Notified Body Number: This four-digit code confirms that an independent testing organization has evaluated the product and found it meets the relevant standards, including chemical safety requirements like REACH.

Notified Bodies are like the industry’s secret shoppers; independent organizations appointed by EU member states to test products and enforce compliance. They verify that claims (like cut resistance or chemical safety) are backed by real data, and they have the authority to pull products from the market if they don’t measure up.

The Notified Body number can usually be found on a glove’s tag, packaging, Declaration of Conformity, or the information-for-use sheet. It’s also listed on the official testing certificate that confirms the glove has passed all required safety assessments.

It’s important to note that while the CE mark and Notified Body number indicate that a glove meets PPE requirements under EU law, manufacturers must also provide documentation that specifically confirms the product’s compliance with the REACH regulation.

Why REACH matters

The ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 standard that guides glove performance and testing in the U.S. didn’t exist 30 years ago. Back then, most U.S. manufacturers referenced EU standards, which were already ahead in areas like safety performance and chemical testing.

Even today, the U.S. doesn’t regulate PPE, especially the chemicals used in it, to the same extent as the EU. Selling PPE in Europe means meeting some of the toughest, most strictly enforced safety standards out there.

That’s why it’s so important to ask the right questions before buying gloves, especially if you’re sourcing an entire team. Without REACH compliance or a similar standard, there’s no guarantee that gloves are chemical-free, skin-safe, or suitable for sensitive skin.

Those unknowns could lead to unnecessary exposure to hazardous substances, which, over time, can contribute to skin irritation, respiratory issues, or more serious health risks.

What’s at stake if these questions aren’t asked? It’s not just about personal health; there’s also the risk of environmental contamination from improperly managed chemical exposure.

Gloves are supposed to protect, but if they introduce hidden hazards, that safety promise falls apart.

The bottom line

REACH compliance isn’t just a certification - it’s a commitment to safer products and a healthier future. Understanding and verifying REACH compliance is an important step in ensuring that gloves, and other safety products, are doing what they’re meant to do: protect workers, without introducing new risks.

Third-party testing plays a critical role in this process. Without independent verification, it’s difficult to confirm whether a product truly meets the chemical safety standards it claims. Trust in third-party evaluations, like those conducted by Notified Bodies, provides an added layer of accountability and assurance.

At the end of the day, a glove is only as safe as the materials it’s made from. Choosing gloves that meet REACH compliance helps ensure that the products protecting your team aren’t quietly introducing long-term risks. It’s a reminder that safety is more than just what’s on the surface - it’s what’s inside that counts.

Content originally from HexArmor. Reused here with permission.