What are the specific tests in CE EN 13594 for leather motorcycle gloves?

CE EN 13594 motorcycle glove certification testing includes the following specific tests: (1) Abrasion resistance — the glove material (leather) is tested against a standardized rotating abrasive surface and must withstand abrasion for a minimum time (the exact threshold varies by zone and protection level, but the test measures time in seconds until the material abrades through); (2) Impact transmissibility (transient conduction) — the CE Level 1 or Level 2 knuckle protector is struck with a calibrated mass and the force transmitted through the protector is measured; CE Level 1 requires the mean peak force not exceed 9kN; CE Level 2 requires the mean peak force not exceed 6kN; (3) Seam strength — the seams in the glove are tested under controlled loading to ensure they don't fail at forces below the specified threshold; and (4) Cut resistance — some zones are tested for resistance to cutting by a standardized cutting instrument. All tests are performed by an EU-authorized notified body laboratory, not self-assessed by the manufacturer.

What impact energy does the CE EN 13594 impact test simulate?

The CE EN 13594 impact transmissibility test uses a standardized impactor (a calibrated mass dropped from a specified height) that represents a motorcycle glove impact scenario at crash speed. The exact parameters: the impactor strikes the knuckle protector at the required test energy; the force transmitted through the protector is measured in kilonewtons (kN); and the measurement tells testers how much of the impact energy was absorbed by the protector vs transmitted to the hand. The 6kN (Level 2) vs 9kN (Level 1) threshold is the peak force transmitted through the protector — a 6kN maximum means the protector absorbed significantly more energy than a 9kN maximum. The test does not directly simulate a specific crash scenario speed, but the energy levels were designed to represent the impact forces experienced at the hand in highway-speed motorcycle crash scenarios.

Can a motorcycle glove pass CE EN 13594 without leather?

Yes — CE EN 13594 can be achieved with non-leather materials if those materials pass the same standardized tests: the abrasion test measures material abrasion resistance regardless of what the material is — textile materials like Kevlar (para-aramid) and Dyneema (UHMWPE) can pass CE abrasion requirements if used in sufficient density and thickness; the impact transmissibility test is independent of the outer shell material — it measures the armor insert performance regardless of whether the glove shell is leather or textile; and the seam strength test applies to all materials. CE EN 13594 is a performance standard, not a materials specification — it defines what the glove must do, not what it must be made of. This means CE-certified textile gloves exist alongside CE-certified leather gloves; and a leather glove without CE certification should not be assumed to have better protection than a CE-certified textile glove.

What is a notified body and why does it matter for CE certification?

A notified body is a conformity assessment organization authorized by a European Union member state to perform CE certification testing on behalf of the EU regulatory framework. The notified body authorization is what gives CE certification its meaning: any manufacturer can print a CE mark; only a manufacturer who has submitted their product to an authorized notified body and passed the standardized tests has a legitimate CE mark. The notified body number (a 4-digit number appearing alongside the CE mark on a certified product) identifies which organization performed the testing. The NANDO database (New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations — maintained by the European Commission and publicly available online) lists all authorized notified bodies and their identification numbers. Verifying that a glove's CE mark is accompanied by a legitimate notified body number (verifiable against NANDO) is the consumer's tool for distinguishing legitimate CE certification from counterfeit or self-declared CE marks.

How Leather Motorcycle Gloves Are Tested for CE Certification

jamesjordan
Jun 26
3 min read

How Leather Motorcycle Gloves Are Tested for CE Certification

CE EN 13594 certification involves specific standardized tests performed by independent laboratories. Here is exactly how it works.

The Four CE EN 13594 Tests

Test 1 — Abrasion resistance: glove material pressed against standardized rotating abrasive surface, time measured until material abrades through. Minimum time threshold varies by zone and protection level. Test 2 — Impact transmissibility: CE Level 1 or 2 knuckle protector struck with calibrated mass, peak force transmitted through protector measured in kN. CE Level 1 maximum: 9kN mean peak force. CE Level 2 maximum: 6kN mean peak force. Test 3 — Seam strength: seams loaded to specified force, must not fail below threshold. Test 4 — Cut resistance: standardized cutting instrument applied to specified zones.

What the Impact Test Measures

Calibrated impactor dropped from specified height onto knuckle protector. Force transmitted through protector to hand-side measured in kilonewtons. 6kN (Level 2) vs 9kN (Level 1) is the peak transmitted force — not impact force. Level 2 protector absorbed significantly more energy than Level 1 protector at equivalent impact. Test energy levels represent impact forces experienced at the hand in highway-speed motorcycle crash scenarios.

The leather motorcycle gloves CE EN 13594 certification process applies standardized tests measuring abrasion resistance of the leather material, impact energy absorption of the knuckle armor, and seam integrity under load — all performed by an EU-authorized notified body laboratory whose 4-digit identification number appears alongside the CE mark on legitimately certified gloves. Verifying this notified body number against the NANDO database is the consumer's tool for confirming real vs counterfeit CE certification.

Can Textile Gloves Pass CE EN 13594?

Yes — CE EN 13594 is a performance standard, not a materials specification. High-performance textiles (Kevlar, Dyneema at sufficient density) can pass CE abrasion requirements. Impact transmissibility test measures armor insert performance regardless of glove shell material. A CE-certified textile glove meets the same performance standard as a CE-certified leather glove. A leather glove without CE certification should not be assumed to provide better protection than a CE-certified textile glove.

What Is a Notified Body?

EU member state-authorized conformity assessment organization that performs CE certification testing. The notified body number (4-digit) on a product label identifies which organization tested that product. Any manufacturer can print a CE mark — only products tested by an authorized notified body have a legitimate CE mark. NANDO database (European Commission, publicly available online) lists all authorized notified bodies. Verifying the notified body number against NANDO is the consumer's tool for distinguishing real from counterfeit CE marks.

FAQs

What are the CE EN 13594 tests?

Abrasion resistance (time to abrade through on rotating surface), impact transmissibility (kN peak force through knuckle protector), seam strength (loading to threshold without failure), cut resistance (standardized cutting instrument on specified zones).

What impact energy does the test simulate?

Calibrated mass dropped from specified height — energy levels represent highway-speed motorcycle crash hand impact forces. Measures peak force transmitted through protector (6kN Level 2 maximum, 9kN Level 1 maximum). Level 2 absorbs significantly more energy than Level 1.

Can textile gloves pass CE EN 13594?

Yes — performance standard, not materials specification. High-performance textiles can pass abrasion requirements; armor insert performance is measured independent of shell material. CE-certified textile gloves meet the same standard as CE-certified leather gloves.

What is a notified body?

EU-authorized conformity assessment organization that performs CE testing. Notified body number (4-digit on label) identifies the testing organization. Verify against NANDO database (European Commission, publicly available) to confirm legitimacy. The only way to distinguish real from counterfeit CE marks.

The Standard That Protects You

Our American-made leather motorcycle gloves carry legitimate CE EN 13594 certification with verifiable notified body documentation — the real standard, not a printed mark. Shop the collection.

How Leather Motorcycle Gloves Are Tested for CE Certification

How Leather Motorcycle Gloves Are Tested for CE Certification

The Four CE EN 13594 Tests

What the Impact Test Measures

Can Textile Gloves Pass CE EN 13594?

What Is a Notified Body?

FAQs

What are the CE EN 13594 tests?

What impact energy does the test simulate?

Can textile gloves pass CE EN 13594?

What is a notified body?

The Standard That Protects You

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