How Leather Motorcycle Gloves Are Tested for CE Certification
- jamesjordan
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
How Leather Motorcycle Gloves Are Tested for CE Certification
CE EN 13594 testing involves specific, standardized tests that measure real protection performance. Here is what the certification actually requires.
The CE EN 13594 Test Suite
Abrasion resistance: leather sample pressed against rotating abrasive surface — measures time until puncture. Higher resistance time = better protection. Full-grain leather easily meets thresholds; split and bonded leather may not — making CE certification a practical leather quality filter. Impact transmissibility: knuckle armor drop test measuring force transmitted through armor. Level 1: below 9kN. Level 2: below 6kN. Seam strength: critical seam tear resistance. Dimensional: glove dimensions match claimed size.
The Impact Transmissibility Test in Detail
Glove placed on a surrogate hand form with knuckle armor in designed position. Guided impactor drops from standardized height and strikes the knuckle zone. Force transmitted through armor to the surrogate hand is measured at multiple points. Average and peak must be below the level threshold. This test directly simulates the motorcycle crash knuckle impact scenario — standardization allows cross-product comparison.
CE EN 13594 testing directly simulates the crash scenarios that leather motorcycle gloves are designed to protect against — the abrasion resistance test measures pavement slide protection; the impact transmissibility test measures knuckle strike protection. The numbers from these tests are the foundation of the Level 1 and Level 2 designations.
Abrasion Testing: Why It Filters Leather Quality
CE abrasion testing specifies minimum resistance times in seconds by glove zone. Full-grain leather in quality grade easily meets these thresholds. Split leather and bonded leather may struggle to meet minimums. This is why CE certification functions as a practical leather quality indicator — the abrasion test rejects low-quality leather from CE compliance.
Third-Party Testing vs Self-Declaration
Notified body testing: performed by EU-authorized independent testing laboratory, produces documentation confirming product meets standard. Self-declaration: manufacturer asserts compliance without independent verification. For motorcycle gloves claiming Level 2 protection, third-party notified body testing documentation is required — self-declaration is insufficient. Check for the 4-digit notified body number on the label.
FAQs
What tests are included in CE EN 13594?
Abrasion resistance (leather vs rotating abrasive surface, time until puncture). Impact transmissibility (knuckle armor drop test, Level 1 below 9kN, Level 2 below 6kN). Seam strength. Dimensional testing.
What is the abrasion resistance test?
Standard abrasive surface wears against leather until puncture — measured in seconds. Minimum times required by zone. Full-grain leather easily passes; split and bonded leather may not — making CE a practical leather quality filter.
How does impact transmissibility testing work?
Glove on surrogate hand form. Guided impactor drops standardized height and strikes knuckle zone at multiple points. Transmitted force measured. Average and peak must be below Level 1 (9kN) or Level 2 (6kN) threshold.
Third-party testing vs self-declaration?
Third-party: EU-authorized notified body, documented, independently verified. Self-declaration: manufacturer asserts compliance without external verification. Level 2 claims require notified body testing. Check for 4-digit notified body number on label.
Protection You Can Verify
Our American-made leather motorcycle gloves carry CE Level 2 certification from a notified body — testing you can verify, documentation available on request. Shop the collection with confidence in the certification.
