In a world where safety in the workplace is paramount, the quality and durability of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as footwear, gloves and protective clothing are essential.

CTC is a key player in assessing the performance, safety and quality of these products, helping you to bring highly technical solutions to market that are tailored to your sector of activity.

Thanks to our network of laboratories located in France, Italy, Vietnam and China, we offer a complete and complementary range of physical and physico-mechanical tests, guaranteeing relevant and specialised results on the characteristics of materials and finished PPE products.

Do you know exactly the quality of the materials you buy to turn into PPE footwear, clothing or gloves?

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Perfectly adapted laboratory equipment

CTC has an exceptional analytical tool for assessing the performance of raw materials, components or finished products for the personal protective equipment sector.

Tests are carried out according to standards or, if no standards exist, according to CTC methods that we have developed in-house, thanks to the experience we have accumulated over the years.

Our laboratories are equipped to carry out tests under controlled conditions, guaranteeing reliable results.

For leather tests, the laboratory temperature is 23°C and 50% humidity. For textile and clothing tests, the laboratory is at 20°C and 65% humidity.

Physical and physico-mechanical testing laboratory

 

Our physical testing expertise

With over 300 different tests, CTC offers you unrivalled expertise to guarantee the safety and durability of your products. Our tests aim to :

• Ensure the longevity and wear resistance of your PPE.
• Certify your products in accordance with current standards.

These tests are carried out according to established standards or, in the absence of standards, according to methods we have developed in-house, based on the experience we have acquired over the years.

With regard to PPE, our standard tests are adapted to products such as :

• Safety or protective footwear.
• Protective gloves.
• Motorbike products: boots, gloves, clothing.
• Lumberjack equipment: boots, gloves, clothing.
• Domestic equipment: heat and fire resistant gloves

 

PPE footwear testing

Test name	Component	Standard
Abrasion resistance	Lining	EN ISO 20344 §6.12 EN ISO 20345 §5.5.3
Abrasion resistance	Mounting plate	EN ISO 20344 § 7.3 EN ISO 20345 § 5.7.4.1
Abrasion resistance	Outsole	EN ISO 20344 §8.4 EN ISO 20345 §5.8.4
Antistatic footwear (A)	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.13 EN ISO 20345 §6.2.2.2
Behaviour of toecaps (thermal and chemical)	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.6.2 EN ISO 20345 §5.3.2.5
Bending resistance	Outsole	EN ISO 20344 §8.5 EN ISO 20344 §8.6 EN ISO 20345 §5.8.5
Cold insulation of outsole complex (CI)	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.16 EN ISO 20345 §6.2.3.2
Contact heat resistance (HRO)	Outsole	EN ISO 20344 §8.9 EN ISO 20345 §6.4.1
Cut-resistant shoe (CR)	Whole shoe	EN 388:2018 EN ISO 20344 § 5.23 EN ISO 20345 §6.2.8.3
Heat insulation of outsole complex (HI)	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.15 EN ISO 20345 §6.2.3.1
Heel energy absorption capacity (E)	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.17 EN ISO 20345 §6.2.4
Hydrocarbon resistance (FO)	Outsole	EN ISO 20344 §8.8 EN ISO 20345 §6.4.2
Insert behavior	Insert	EN ISO 20344 §5.11.2 EN ISO 20345 §6.2.1.4.2
Insert perforation (P / PL / PS)	Outsole	EN ISO 20345 §6.2.1
Inserts bending strength	Insert	EN ISO 20344 §5.12 EN ISO 20345 §6.2.1.4.1
Metatarsal protection (M) - Impact resistance	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.20 EN ISO 20345 §6.2.6.2
Permeability and water vapour coefficient	Upper	EN ISO 20344 §6.6 EN ISO 20344 §6.8 EN ISO 20345 §5.4.6
Slip resistance	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.14 EN ISO 20344 §6.2.10 EN ISO 20345 §5.3.5
Special ergonomic features	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.1 EN ISO 20345 §5.3.4
Tear resistance	Upper	EN ISO 20344 §6.3 EN ISO 20345 §5.4.3
Tear resistance	Outsole	EN ISO 20344 §8.3 EN ISO 20345 §5.8.3
Tensile properties	Upper	EN ISO 20344 §6.3 EN ISO 20345 §5.4.4
Thickness (class II)	Upper	EN ISO 20344 §6.1 EN ISO 20345 §5.4.2
Toe protection - Crush resistance	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.5 EN ISO 20345 §5.3.2.7
Toe protection: impact resistance	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.4 EN ISO 20345 §5.3.2.6
Toecaps corrosion resistance	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.6.2 EN ISO 20345 §5.3.2.4
Upper/outsole bond strength	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.2 EN ISO 20345 §5.3.1.2
Water absorption / desorption	Insoles seat socks Mounting plate	EN ISO 20344 §7.2 EN ISO 20345 §5.7.3
Water penetration and absorption (WPA)	Upper	EN ISO 20344 §6.13 EN ISO 20345 §6.3
Water resistance (WR)	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.19 EN ISO 20345 §6.2.5
Waterproofing	Whole shoe	EN ISO 20344 §5.7 ISO 20345 §5.3.3

 

PPE gloves testing

Test name	Standard
Abrasion resistance	NF EN 388 § 6.1
Abrasion resistance	EN 388 §6.1
Air leak test	NF EN 374-2 § 4.1
Behavior in fire	EN 407 § 4.5.2
Convective heat	EN 407 § 4.5.4
Determination of chromium (VI) content	NF EN 420 § 4.3.3
Determination of pH value	NF EN 420 § 4.3.2
Determination of water vapour absorption	NF EN 420 § 5.3.2
Determining the water vapour absorption of leathers	EN ISO 21420 § 5.3.2
Determining the water vapour permeability of leathers	EN ISO 21420 §5.3.1
Dexterity	NF EN 420 § 5.2
Dexterity	EN ISO 21420 § 5.2
Glove cleaning	EN ISO 21420 § 4.3
Glove design and construction	EN ISO 21420 § 4.1
Glove sizes and dimensions	EN ISO 21420 § 5.1
Heat contact	EN 407 § 4.5.3
Large molten metal splashes	EN 407 § 4.5.7
Puncture resistance	EN 388 §6.5
Puncture resistanceCut resistance (TDM)	EN 388 §6.3
Radiant heat	EN 407 § 4.5.5
Resistance of glove materials to water penetration	NF EN 420 §4.2
Shock attenuation measurement	EN 388 §6.6
Size and measurement of gloves	NF EN 420 § 5.1.2
Slicing resistance (test cut)	EN 388 §6.2
Small molten metal splashes	EN 407 § 4.5.6
Tear resistance	NF EN 420 § 6.3
Tear resistance	EN 388 §6.4
Water leak test	NF EN 374-2 § 4.2
Water resistance of glove materials	EN 420 §4.2
Water vapour transmission	NF EN 420 § 5.3.1

 

Season review of physical tests and trials

For complete support with your quality approach, CTC includes in its offer :

• Drawing up specifications.
• Monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs) linked to testing
• Analysis of defect lists and their criticality.
• CTC recommendations for improving the quality of your orders.

We guide you every step of the way, from defining your specifications to marketing your products, to ensure your customers get the best value for money.

Find out more

 

Physical tests to assess the resistance of materials

Our physics laboratory tests will give you objective feedback on the quality, durability and safety of your materials. Whether you're testing for tear resistance, flexibility, moisture or abrasion, our various techniques and physical scenarios will help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of the PPE garments, footwear or gloves you manufacture.

The aim of our physical tests is to push the scenarios right up to the breaking point, so that you know exactly what the resistance values of your materials are. From the sole to the laces, including the upper, straps and lining, you'll know the exact strength of your PPE footwear and accessories.

This helps minimise customer complaints and returns, optimising your profitability.

Entrust us with your PPE tests

 

Biomechanical and footwear testing

CTC offers a wide range of tests tailored to the personal protective equipment (PPE) sector.

Using rigorous biomechanical protocols, we assess footwear performance, taking into account specific safety and comfort requirements. Biomechanical testing is also used to design new products. To familiarise you with this subject, CTC offers a specific training course: biomechanics and product performance.

Our expertise in footwear enables us to optimise the fit and ensure the safe and effective use of PPE.

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