Dimension and Tolerances

For reference purposes, gloves shall be sampled and inspected in accordance with ISO 2859-1. The inspection levels and acceptable quality levels (AQLs) shall conform to specifications in the table below for the characteristics listed. 

Inspection Levels and Acceptable Quality Levels

Dimensions	Size (mm)
Palm width	Extra-Small	Small	Medium	Large	Extra-Large
	< 80	80 ± 10	95 ± 10	110 ± 10	> 110
Length	240 minimum for all sizes
Thickness at palm and finger	For all sizes: 0.08 minimum

 

Barrier Integrity

All SMG-certified gloves must meet the prescribed requirement for the water-tightness test, the internationally-recognized testing procedure for barrier performance. Gloves are sampled and inspected in accordance with ISO 2859-1.

At inspection level of G1 (Inspection Levels and Acceptable Quality Levels table), all SMG-certified gloves have to meet a much lower defective rate expressed as Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 1.5, more stringent than the requirement of AQL at 2.5 by the ASTM and the US FDA for examination gloves.

 

Tensile Properties

High strength and elasticity are important to minimize the possibility that gloves will rupture or tear under stress during use. These characteristics are measured on the basis of tensile strength and elongation-at-break before and after the accelerated aging process, which encompasses the aging of gloves at 70℃ +- 20℃ in air for 7 days in a drying oven, as described in ISO 188. Requirements on tensile properties for quality control purposes apply to new gloves only. Tensile properties are measured in accordance with ISO 37.

SMG Type I

Property	Unit	Minimum Requirement
Tensile Strength before accelerated ageing	MPa	18
Elongation before accelerated ageing	%	650
Tensile strength after accelerated ageing	MPa	14
Elongation after accelerated	%	500
* Note: Accelerated ageing at 7 days/70 ±2 °C SMG Type I: Conforms to USFDA requirements Ref: SMG Scheme: Technical Requirements for Type I Standard Malaysian Glove (SMG). No.1 Series: SMG Publication; No. 1 .

SMG Type II

Property	Unit	Minimum Requirement
Force- at-break before accelerated ageing	N	6
Force-at-break after accelerated ageing	N	6
Elongation before accelerated ageing	%	650
Elongation before accelerated ageing	%	500
* Note: Accelerated ageing at 7 days/70 ±2 °C SMG Type II: Conform to EU requirements Ref: SMG Scheme: Technical Requirements for Type II Standard Malaysian Glove (SMG). No.1 Series: SMG Publication; No. 1

Tensile requirements for SMG gloves are in line with specifications set by ASTM and the US FDA.

 

Protein and Powder Contents

High residual extractable protein level in latex gloves with excessive powder has been shown to cause sensitization and latex allergic reactions in latex protein sensitive individuals. In view of the fact that well processed low-protein gloves, particularly the powder-free variety, can alleviate such allergy problems, the SMG scheme ensures that both protein and powder contents are kept at low, controlled levels in SMG-certified gloves.

The table below shows the upper limits set for protein and powder under the SMG scheme.

Examination Gloves	Specification Limits*
Powder-free
Upper limit of protein	50 µg/dm2
Upper limit of powder	2 mg/glove
Powdered
Upper limit of protein	200 µg/dm2
Upper limit of powder	150 mg/glove
	(Approx. 15 mg/dm2)
* SMG Technical Bulletin #3

Extractable protein level is determined according to the standard modified Lowry test method, ASTM D5712, and the residual powder content on gloves is measured in accordance with ASTM D6124.

It is noteworthy that while the protein and powder limits for SMG powdered gloves are generally consistent with levels recommended by the ASTM, the upper protein limit set for SMG powder-free gloves is significantly lower (at 50 micrograms/square decimeter) than that recommended by ASTM (200 micrograms/square decimeter).