## Common ground
All options refer to protective gloves used in medical or surgical settings, designed to prevent contamination and ensure hygiene.
## Options at a glance
**3825.30 – Used gloves**
- **Defining trait:** Reused or previously worn gloves, not new or sterile.
- **Typical examples:** Gloves removed from a patient after surgery, discarded for reuse in non-medical tasks.
- **Best fit when:** The product is clearly used, damaged, or no longer sterile.
**3926.20 – Plastic material gloves**
- **Defining trait:** Made from synthetic plastic materials like nitrile, polyethylene, or vinyl.
- **Typical examples:** Nitrile exam gloves, disposable plastic surgical gloves.
- **Best fit when:** The glove is made of non-rubber, flexible plastic, often used for allergies or low-cost applications.
**4015.12 – Vulcanised rubber gloves**
- **Defining trait:** Made from natural or synthetic rubber that has been vulcanized (chemically treated for elasticity and durability).
- **Typical examples:** Latex surgical gloves, rubber examination gloves.
- **Best fit when:** The glove is made of latex or similar rubber material with high elasticity and barrier protection.
**4203.29 – Leather or composition leather gloves**
- **Defining trait:** Made from animal hide (leather) or synthetic leather-like materials.
- **Typical examples:** Leather surgical gloves for long procedures, protective gloves in lab settings.
- **Best fit when:** The glove is thick, durable, and made from skin-based or imitation leather.
## Key differences
| Option | Material Type | Reusability | Sterility Level | Common Use Case |
|--------|---------------------|-------------|------------------|--------------------------|
| 3825.30 | Used (previously worn) | Low (not recommended) | Not sterile | Discarded or repurposed |
| 3926.20 | Plastic (nitrile, etc.) | Disposable | High (sterile) | Medical exams, labs |
| 4015.12 | Vulcanised rubber (latex) | Disposable | High (sterile) | Surgery, sensitive procedures |
| 4203.29 | Leather/composition leather | Reusable | Medium to high | Long-duration tasks, lab protection |
## How to choose
- Is the glove previously used or worn? → 3825.30
- Is it made of plastic (e.g., nitrile, vinyl)? → 3926.20
- Is it made of rubber (especially latex) and elastic? → 4015.12
- Is it made of leather or synthetic leather-like material? → 4203.29
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- A used glove might still be rubber or plastic, so check both condition and material.
- Some gloves are made from composition leather (e.g., synthetic) but may be mistaken for real leather.
- If the product is reusable and made of latex, it could fall under 4015.12 or 4203.29 depending on material—priority should be given to **material type** over reusability