Safety Glove Tests & Standards: What You Need to Know

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is only as effective as its compliance with industry standards. When it comes to safety gloves, understanding the various tests and certifications ensures you select the right protection for your work environment. This guide provides a clear overview of the most important safety glove tests and standards, helping you make informed decisions for workplace safety.

Why Safety Glove Standards Matter

Safety gloves are designed to protect hands from various hazards such as cuts, chemicals, abrasions, impacts, heat, and cold. International standards provide consistent testing methods and rating systems to:

• Ensure product performance

• Guide buyers and safety managers

• Reduce workplace injuries

• Promote global safety compliance

Key Global Safety Glove Standards

1. EN 388: Protection Against Mechanical Risks

This is the most recognized standard in Europe for mechanical hazards. Gloves are tested for:

• Abrasion resistance (1–4)

• Cut resistance (1–5 or A–F for ISO test)

• Tear resistance (1–4)

• Puncture resistance (1–4)

• Impact protection (P if present)

2. EN 374: Protection Against Chemicals and Microorganisms

This standard applies to chemical-resistant gloves and includes:

• Permeation resistance

• Penetration testing

• Degradation level

• Type classification: Type A, B, or C based on chemical protection level

3. EN 407: Protection Against Thermal Risks (Heat & Fire)

Used for gloves that protect against heat and fire. It includes testing for:

• Burning behavior

• Contact heat

• Convective heat

• Radiant heat

• Small splashes of molten metal

• Large splashes of molten metal

4. EN 511: Protection Against Cold

Covers thermal insulation from cold temperatures, including:

• Convective cold resistance (0–4)

• Contact cold resistance (0–4)

• Water penetration resistance (0 or 1)

5. ANSI/ISEA 105 (North America)

The U.S. equivalent for glove safety standards. It includes:

• Cut resistance levels (A1–A9)

• Abrasion resistance (cycles)

• Puncture resistance (newtons)

• Chemical and heat performance ratings

How Are Safety Gloves Tested?

Gloves are tested in certified labs using standardized equipment and controlled conditions. For example:

• Abrasion resistance is measured by how many cycles of abrasive paper the glove withstands.

• Cut resistance is determined by how much force is required to cut through the glove material.

• Chemical permeation tests how long a chemical takes to pass through the glove.

• Impact resistance tests the glove’s ability to absorb shocks.

Understanding Glove Markings and Labels

Most certified gloves come with pictograms and ratings on the glove or packaging. For example:

• A glove marked with EN 388: 4X43DP indicates high levels of abrasion, tear, puncture, and impact resistance.

• Chemical-resistant gloves will have a flask symbol with a code showing tested chemicals.

These markings help users quickly identify the protection levels and ensure the glove is suitable for the task.

Why Choose LITA SAFETY Gloves?

At LITA SAFETY, we take testing and certification seriously. All our gloves undergo rigorous quality control and meet international standards like EN 388, EN 374, EN 407, EN 511, and ANSI/ISEA 105.

We offer a wide range of hand protection solutions, including:

• Cut-resistant gloves

• Chemical-resistant gloves

• Impact protection gloves

• Cold-resistant gloves

• Heat and flame-resistant gloves

We also provide OEM/ODM services for wholesalers and distributors worldwide, helping you build your brand with tested and certified products. Contact us at info@litasafety.com.