Hand Protection

EN 420 General requirements
Defines the basic requirements for protective gloves
EN 374-5 Microorganism
Protection against bacteriological risks
EN 374-1 / Typ A/B/C Chemical resistant

Type A = minimum breakthrough time >30 min. for at least 6 test chemicals

Type B = Minimum breakthrough time >30 min. for at least 3 test chemicals

Type C = Minimum breakthrough time > 10 min. for at least 1 test chemical

Test chemicals according to EN 374-1
A = Methanol (primary alcohol)
B = Acetone (ketone)
C = Acetonitrile (nitrile compound)
D = Dichloromethane (chlorinated kerosene)
E = Carbon disulphide
F = Toluene (aromatic hydrocarbon)
G = Diethylamine (Amine)
H = Tetrahydrofuran (Heterocyclic and ether compounds)
I = Ethyl acetate (ester)
J = n-heptane (limiting hydrocarbon)
K = Sodium hydroxide 40% (inorganic alkali)
L = Sulphuric acid 96% (inorganic mineral acids)
M = Nitric acid 65% (inorganic mineral acid)
N = Acetic acid 99% (organic acids)
O = Ammonia 25% (organic bases)
P = Hydrogen peroxide 30% (Peroxides)
S = Hydrofluoric acid 40% (Inorganic mineral acids)
T = Formaldehyde 37% (aldehydes)
EN 388 Mechanical risks

This standard applies to all types of gloves for protection against physical or mechanical injuries caused by abrasion, cuts, punctures or tears. The protective functions against mechanical injuries are indicated by a pictogram and numbers (performance indicator). They indicate the respective performance test results in connection with a specific risk.
a = Abrasion resistance Indication = min. 0 max. 4
b = Cut resistance Indication = min. 0 max. 5
c = Tear resistance Specification = min. 0 max. 4
d = Puncture resistance Specification = min. 0 max. 4
e = Cut resistance (Newton) = A to F (2 - 30 N)
f = Impact protection = “PASS or FAIL” test
The higher the value, the better the performance.
X = not tested.
EN 407 Thermal risks
This standard specifies the thermal properties of gloves for protection against heat and/or flames. The type and degree of protection is indicated by a pictogram and six performance indicators linked to specific protective properties. The “heat and flame” pictogram is supplemented by a six-digit numerical code:
a = Fire resistance Indication = min. 0 max. 4
b = Contact heat resistance Specification = min. 0 max. 4
c = Convection heat resistance Spec. = min. 0 max. 4
d = Radiant heat resistance Specification = min. 0 max. 4
e = Small molten metal splashes Spec. = min. 0 max. 4
f = Large molten metal splashes Spec. = min. 0 max. 4
The higher the number, the better the performance.
X = not tested.
EN 511 Cold risks
This standard applies to all gloves intended to protect the hand against convective and contact cold down to -50°C. The protective function against cold is indicated by a pictogram and three performance indicators in conjunction with the specific protective properties. The pictogram is supplemented by a three-digit numerical code:
A = Convection cold resistance Indic. = min. 0 max. 4
B = Contact cold resistance Specification = min. 0 max. 4
C = Water resistance Specification: no = 0, yes = 1
The higher the number, the better the performance.
X = not tested.