Why glove discipline is a contamination-control tool (not just PPE)
In controlled environments, gloves are not merely hand protection—they are a contamination-control interface. The biggest practical risk is not the glove itself; it is inconsistent behavior:
touching uncontrolled surfaces, then touching critical items; donning gloves aggressively; and stretching wear time beyond what the task can tolerate.
A glove program works when glove changes are predictable, hands are prepared properly, and the gowning sequence is consistent shift-to-shift.
What UF-524 is (manufacturer-published basis)
UF-524 is a powder-free nitrile examination glove positioned by the manufacturer for tactility and comfort. The published configuration includes textured fingers and a 230 mm (9.1 in) length.
Freedom-from-holes is published at AQL 1.5 (inspection level I). Thickness is published at 0.06 mm (2.4 mil) in the palm and 0.10 mm (3.9 mil) at the fingers.
Packaging is optimized for station efficiency: 300 gloves per dispenser, 10 dispensers per case (3,000 per case). Size XL is published at 250 per dispenser (2,500 per case).
Country of origin is published as China. Storage guidance calls for cool, dry storage out of direct sunlight and away from ozone or ignition sources.
Specifications in a single view (published)
| Attribute |
UF-524 (published) |
| Material / powder |
Nitrile; powder-free; not made from natural rubber latex |
| Surface |
Textured fingers |
| Length |
230 mm / 9.1 in |
| AQL (holes) — inspection level I |
1.5 |
| Thickness |
Palm 0.06 mm (2.4 mil); Finger 0.10 mm (3.9 mil) |
| Tensile strength (MPa) |
Before aging: 23 (≥14); After aging: ≥14 |
| Elongation at break (%) |
Before aging: ≥500; After aging: ≥400 |
| Antistatic / sterile |
Antistatic: No; Sterile: No |
| Packaging overview |
300/dispenser; 10 dispensers/case; 3000/case (XL: 250/dispenser; 2500/case) |
| Country of origin |
China |
ISO-first: how gloves tie into cleanroom operations (the part people forget)
ISO cleanroom performance is not sustained by classification alone. Operational control is where cleanrooms succeed or fail—particularly personnel practices, entry/exit discipline, and gowning programs.
In practice, gloves sit at the center of that program: they are touched constantly, changed constantly, and they are the first thing that contacts tools, containers, and product-contact surfaces.
A glove choice that improves comfort and fit can reduce subconscious face-touching and “glove fiddling” that quietly breaks technique.
Annex 1 overlay: contamination control strategy means fewer interventions
EU GMP Annex 1 pushes a contamination-control mindset: personnel are a key contamination source, and gowning is treated as a risk control, not a costume.
From an Annex 1 perspective, the goal is to reduce interventions—including repeated glove adjustments, unnecessary touches, and extended wear beyond the task.
Fit and comfort therefore become quality levers: a glove that feels stable supports steadier technique.
Donning technique (simple steps that lower contamination risk)
A practical glove-don routine that works under pressure
- Hands first: complete hand hygiene; dry thoroughly (wet hands increase tearing and over-stretching).
- Open cleanly: avoid grabbing multiple gloves; keep the box opening tidy to reduce handling contamination.
- Don without snapping: a calm, controlled don reduces particle disturbance and glove stress.
- Set the fit once: half sizes help here—continuous tugging becomes repeated contact events.
- Define change triggers: task change, surface change, suspected breach, or visible soil—then follow it every time.
UF-524 is also noted by the manufacturer as a candidate underglove for double-gloving workflows. If you run double-glove steps, treat the underglove and outer glove as separate control layers with separate change rules.
Where UF-524 fits (and where it does not)
- Good fit: exam, lab, high-touch handling, and general controlled workflows where non-sterile exam gloves are acceptable by SOP.
- Not a substitute for sterile/cleanroom-rated gloves: if your process requires sterile packaging, irradiation documentation, or cleanroom glove validation, select an appropriate sterile/cleanroom glove.
- Not chemo-tested: if hazardous drug/chemo protection is required, use gloves specifically tested and documented for that use.
Ansell + KleenGuard + SOSCleanroom (what this means for customers)
Ansell’s ecosystem spans exam gloves (MICROFLEX) and broader PPE programs (including KleenGuard). SOSCleanroom is investing into tighter alignment with this portfolio so customers get cleaner SKU mapping, clearer spec references,
and better continuity as portfolios evolve. The objective is operationally boring in the best way: consistent supply, consistent documentation, and fewer surprises.
SOSCleanroom note about SOP's
The Technical Vault is written to help customers make informed contamination-control decisions and improve day-to-day handling technique.
It is not your facility’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), batch record, or validation protocol.
Customers are responsible for establishing, training, and enforcing SOPs that fit their specific risks, products, equipment, cleanroom classification, and regulatory obligations.
Always confirm suitability and acceptance criteria using your internal quality system and documented methods.
If you adapt any technique guidance from this entry, treat it as a starting template. Your team should review and approve the final method, then qualify it for your specific processes,
materials, and risk profile. Use these best-practice suggestions to strengthen your SOPs—not to replace them.
Source basis
- Manufacturer Product Data Sheet (UF-524): https://www.soscleanroom.com/content/Ansell_PDF/microflex-ultraform-uf-524_pds_us.pdf
- SOSCleanroom product page: https://www.soscleanroom.com/product/brands/ansell-uf-524-microflex-ultraform-nitrile-gloves/
- Manufacturer product page (Ansell): https://www.ansell.com/us/en/products/microflex-ultraform-uf-524
- ISO 14644-1 (classification context): https://www.iso.org/standard/53394.html
- ISO 14644-5 (operations/gowning program context): https://www.iso.org/standard/88599.html
- EU GMP Annex 1 (sterile manufacturing expectations): https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-08/20220825_gmp-an1_en_0.pdf
SOSCleanroom is the source for this Technical Vault entry.
Briefed and approved by the SOSCleanroom (SOS) staff.
If you have any questions please email us at Sales@SOSsupply.com
Last reviewed: Jan. 16, 2026
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