| Scope of EN 455-1 | EN 455-1 covers requirements and testing for freedom from holes in single-use medical gloves. | It assesses barrier integrity against detectable holes; it is not a complete measure of every glove performance characteristic. | Confirm the report identifies the glove type, product or lot, test method, and applicable standard edition. |
| Examination-glove AQL | EN 455-1 uses sampling inspection for freedom from holes. | AQL 1.5 is the commonly specified benchmark for medical examination gloves. | Check that the stated AQL applies to the examination-glove category and that the report records the sampling plan and result. |
| Surgical-glove comparison | EN 455-1 distinguishes surgical gloves from examination gloves for the freedom-from-holes requirement. | The commonly specified AQL benchmark for surgical gloves is 0.65, which is stricter than 1.5. | Do not apply the examination-glove AQL benchmark to a surgical-glove evaluation. |
| Meaning of AQL | AQL is used with a sampling inspection plan, such as the plans referenced in ISO 2859-1. | AQL 1.5 is a statistical sampling-plan index; it does not mean that exactly 1.5% of every shipment may be defective or guarantee that a lot contains no defects. | Request the sample size, acceptance and rejection numbers, inspection level, lot size, and final pass/fail decision. |
| Hole-detection test | EN 455-1 specifies a water-leak test for assessing freedom from holes. | The test checks for leakage under the conditions of the standard. It does not establish resistance to every chemical, puncture, or viral exposure. | Look for a dated test report that identifies the method and records the tested sample and outcome. |
| Sampling and lot traceability | Sampling is conducted using the applicable inspection plan and defined lot information. | Sample size and acceptance criteria depend on the sampling-plan settings; AQL alone does not specify a sample count. | Match the report’s lot or batch identifier and manufacturing date to the shipment documentation. |
| Limits of the barrier assessment | Other parts of EN 455 address different properties, including physical properties, biological evaluation, and shelf life. | Passing EN 455-1 addresses freedom from holes only; it does not by itself demonstrate chemical permeation resistance, fit, comfort, or all biological safety requirements. | Review additional test reports and regulatory documentation for the intended use and market. |