Glove Intelligent Assistant
11.13.2025
As we have talked about before on this blog, many companies know that consumers are looking to do their part in protecting the environment by pledging their individual consumption choices on sustainable products. SW has always been focused on sustainability and incorporates sustainable principles in our manufacturing process. Buying SW tells our industry competitors that high quality, environmentally friendly, but affordable gloves should be the industry standard. Our symbols on our packaging also denote informative third body certifications so our customers can make informed decisions.
SW gloves are all thoroughly and strictly tested against industry scientific standards. Our production house uses scientifically verified and industry-approved principles to manufacture our products. Our gloves meet global safety and quality standards while also implementing sustainable materials and practices. Our production house is in compliance with these industry standards, which maintain scientific and quantitative measurements of a glove’s integrity or performance. As per these standards, all of our gloves undergo physical and chemical quality testing as per ISO, ASTM, and FDA requirements. Each glove is tested to determine thickness, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, cut level, and chemical permeation.
As per FDA guidelines, exam gloves are monitored for pinhole defects, with an AQL of 2.5 (Acceptance Quality Level). Industrial gloves are not regulated by the FDA but the industry sets AQL requirements at 4.0. This means that exam gloves are produced at a higher quality with less defects per total sample size, and in general are safer to use in environments that are advertised for use. Industrial gloves are also more focused on abrasion and cut levels (ANSI standardization). Medical or exam gloves are regulated by the FDA as Class I reserved medical devices. Class I reserved medical devices require a 510(k) premarket notification. A 510(K) is a premarket form filed with the FDA to demonstrate that the product to be marketed is safe, effective, and complies with FDA regulations. Medical or exam grade gloves must undergo leak resistance tests, certain physical properties (tensile and elongation tests), and biocompatibility tests before they can meet the requirements for the 510(k) FDA certification. The FDA is specifically focused on making sure products do not contaminate the environment or end users.
While the SW is in compliance with these guidelines, we are also focused on sustainable sourcing, manufacturing, and packaging practices. This is to maintain a sustainable ecosystem. We also avoid using strong chemicals in our manufacturing process. This is to reduce the contamination and leakage of strong chemicals into the environment. SW sources materials from sustainable forests as we work with the Forest Stewardship Council. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an organization that has been around since 1995 and has certified over 3000 other US companies, guaranteeing that products are made from materials sourced from responsibly managed forests. The FSC certifies that manufacturers are returning environmental, social, and economic benefits to the sources of raw materials used in the manufacturing process. SW makes every effort to reduce the consumption of natural resources, support zero-waste emission efforts, recycle end-of-life products and packaging materials. We prioritize working with small to medium sized local vendors to reduce unnecessary usage of gas during shipping. All of our outer packaging is made of 90% recycled paper and our inner packaging is made from 70% recycled paper.
B Lab is the non-profit organization in charge of B-Corp certifications and they were founded in 2006 based on the idea that it is possible to create an equitable and sustainable economy. The B stands for “Benefit for all.” B Lab has identified that the current economic system of the world is failing to create positive change. Thus, leading it to enlist companies as a collective group in pursuing restorative praxis starting from within their own businesses. Companies must meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency in order to become B-Corp certified. It is a holistic process, where companies need to pass a high social and environmental performance evaluation, make a legal commitment by changing their governing structure to be accountable towards all stakeholders, and allow performance data comparisons to be made public on the B Lab website. The SW brand has always recognized that social and environmental responsibility is a necessity and the core to running a successful, sustainable business. These beliefs are not just empty promises either. SW has proved this again and again through third party certifications awarded by neutral third party investigative organizations.
At SW, we are committed to leading the glove industry in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Our innovative EcoTek® technology exemplifies our dedication to sustainable solutions, while our expertise in sweat management ensures comfort and performance. We also offer specialized chemical compatibility support, assisting customers in selecting gloves tailored to their unique needs. Our mission is to provide products that prioritize safety, health, and environmental responsibility for our customers and the planet