This National Standard specifies requirements for packaged sterile, or bulked non-sterile, rubber gloves intended for use in medical examinations and diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to protect the patient and the user from cross-contamination. It also covers rubber gloves intended for use in handling contaminated medical materials and gloves with smooth surfaces or with textured surfaces over part or all of the glove.

This standard is intended for reference for the performance and safety of rubber examination gloves. The safe and proper usage of examination gloves and sterilization procedures with subsequent handling and storage procedures are outside the scope of this National Standard.