ISO 20437-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 20437:2017 — Natural rubber latex cleanroom gloves — Specification. This International Standard specifies requirements and associated tests for single‑use cleanroom gloves manufactured from natural rubber latex (NRL) intended for use in highly controlled cleanroom environments (ISO Classes 4, 5 and 6).

Abstract

ISO 20437:2017 gives the specification for cleanroom gloves made of natural rubber latex (NRL) for use in ISO Class 4, 5 and 6 controlled environments. The standard addresses contamination‑control parameters (particle release, ionic residues, total non‑volatile residue and the presence/absence of silicone, amide and DOP), sampling and test methods, and requirements for processing, packaging and marking to ensure suitability for sensitive manufacturing and laboratory applications.

General information

• Status: Published (current; edition confirmed).
• Publication date: July 2017 (published 26–27 July 2017 in ISO records).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.140.99 (Other rubber and plastics products).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 — 2017.
• Number of pages: 5 (official ISO document length).

(Core bibliographic and life‑cycle information sourced from the ISO catalogue and recognized standards suppliers.)

Scope

ISO 20437:2017 applies to single‑use natural rubber latex cleanroom gloves intended for use in controlled environments classified as ISO 4, ISO 5 and ISO 6. The standard defines classification, requirements and test methods relevant to contamination control for these gloves, and covers sampling, processing (cleaning), packaging and marking to ensure the gloves do not introduce particulate or chemical contamination into sensitive processes.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification for cleanroom use: specifies glove categories for ISO Classes 4, 5 and 6.
• Particle release limits and particle‑count test methods (submicron and micron size ranges).
• Ionic content thresholds for common ions (e.g., Na+, K+, Ca2+, F–, Cl–, NO3–, SO42–) and related test procedures.
• Total non‑volatile residue (TNVR) limits and measurement methods.
• Requirements for absence/detection of silicone, amide and dioctyl phthalate (DOP).
• Sampling plans and minimum sample sizes for batch testing and compliance verification.
• Processing/cleaning (typical RO‑DI wash parameters), drying, low‑particulation packaging, labelling and marking to preserve cleanroom suitability.

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers and purchasers of cleanroom consumables, quality and contamination control engineers, procurement teams in semiconductor, electronics, display (TFT/LCD), disk‑drive, nanotechnology and certain biomedical/pharmaceutical assembly operations, and by laboratories and cleanroom facilities that require gloves with tightly controlled particulate and chemical residue performance.

Related standards

ISO 20437 references and aligns with cleanroom and glove test guidance such as IEST RP‑CC005.4 (gloves and finger cots used in cleanrooms) and is complementary to broader cleanroom standards (for example ISO 14644 series) and related glove standards (for example ISO 11193 series for single‑use medical examination gloves). National adoptions and identically worded counterparts (e.g., BS ISO 20437:2017) are also available.

Keywords

natural rubber latex, NRL, cleanroom gloves, contamination control, particle count, ionic residues, TNVR, silicone free, DOP free, ISO 4, ISO 5, ISO 6, IEST, glove specification.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 20437:2017 is an International Standard that specifies requirements and test methods for single‑use cleanroom gloves made from natural rubber latex (NRL), intended for use in highly controlled cleanroom environments (ISO Classes 4–6).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers classification, contamination‑control performance (particle release, ionic residues, TNVR and prohibited substances such as silicone/amide/DOP), sampling and testing procedures, and processing, packaging and marking requirements to ensure gloves are suitable for sensitive manufacturing and laboratory processes.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of cleanroom gloves, contamination control and quality engineers, procurement and QA teams in semiconductor/electronics/display/nanotechnology and certain biomedical production environments, and cleanroom facility managers.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 20437:2017 is a current International Standard; the ISO catalogue indicates the 2017 edition is published and has been reviewed/confirmed in subsequent ISO lifecycle checks (the published 2017 edition remains the valid version). Users should check their national standards body or ISO catalogue for any future revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: ISO 20437:2017 is a standalone specification for NRL cleanroom gloves but is related to other glove and cleanroom standards (for example IEST RP‑CC005.4, ISO 14644 series and ISO 11193 series). It may be adopted identically by national bodies (e.g., BS ISO 20437:2017).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Natural rubber latex; cleanroom gloves; contamination control; particle release; ionic residues; TNVR; silicone‑free; DOP; ISO Class 4, 5, 6.