Glove Standards

The European standard EN 407 regulates the minimum requirements, test methods and labelling for safety gloves in relation to thermal risks. Safety gloves certified in accordance with this standard protect the wearer from contact heat, radiant heat and small splashes from molten metal.

However, it does not concern the specific application of heat-resistant gloves, such as firefighting or welding. Heat-resistant gloves are intended to fulfil the following properties in accordance with EN 407:

  • Low flammability or flame spread
  • Low heat transmission (protective effect from radiant, convective and contact heat)
  • High temperature resistance

The nature and degree of protection is presented by a pictogram followed by a series of six performance levels, relating to specific protective qualities.

Safety gloves are classified and tested in EN 407 in accordance with the following criteria:

  • Protection From Ignition

    Based on the length of time the material continues to burn and glow after the source of ignition is removed. The seams of the glove shall not come apart after an ignition time of 15 seconds.
    (Highest performance level 4 = after-flame time 2 seconds, after-glow time 5 seconds)

  • Protection From Contact Heat

    Based on the temperature range (100-500 °C) at which the user will feel no pain for at least 15 seconds.
    (Highest performance level 4 = + 500 °C)

  • Protection From Convective Heat (gradually penetrating heat)

    Based on the length of time the glove is able to delay the transfer of heat from a flame from an open fire.
    (Highest performance level 4)

  • Protection From Radiant Heat

    Based on the length of time the glove is able to delay the transfer of heat when exposed to a radiant heat source.
    (Highest performance level 4 = at least 150 seconds)

  • Protection From Droplets of Molten Metal

    The number of molten metal drops required to heat the glove to a given level.
    (Highest performance level 4 = over 35 droplets)

  • Protection From Molten Metal

    The weight of molten metal required to cause damage (smoothing or pin-holing) across a simulated skin (attached to the inside of the glove).
    (Highest performance level 4 = 200 grams)

EN 407: Protection Against Thermal Risk

In accordance with the test in EN 407, the safety gloves are classified with a performance level in relation to each of the individual thermal hazards (numbers from 1 to 4, with 4 being the best). What is important is that the glove must not come into contact with open fire if it does not fulfil performance level 3 in the fire resistance test.
TEST Performance Levels
1 2 3 4
Ignition – after burn (time in sec) <20 <10 <3 <2
Ignition – after glow (time in sec) N/R <120 <25 <5
Contact Heat (temp. in ºC after 15 sec) 100 250 350 500
Convective Heat (heat transfer delay sec) <4 <7 <10 <18
Radiant Heat (heat transfer delay sec)  >5  >30  >90  >150
Droplets of Molten Metal (drop) >5 >15 >25 >35
Molten Metal (g) 30 60 120 200

EN 407: Performance Levels

Ignition – after burn (time in sec)

1 2
<20 <10
3 4
<3 <2

Ignition – after glow (time in sec)

1 2
N/R <120
3 4
<25 <5

Contact Heat (temp. in ºC after 15 sec)

1 2
100 250
3 4
350 500

Convective Heat (heat transfer delay sec)

1 2
<4 <7
3 4
<10 <18

Radiant Heat (heat transfer delay sec)

1 2
<5 <30
3 4
<90 <150

Droplets of Molten Metal (drop)

1 2
<5 <15
3 4
<25 <35

Molten Metal (g)

1 2
30 60
3 4
120 200