Protective gloves explained
Each pictogram is one type of risk. The numbers and letters under it are the scores.
- EN ISO 21420:2020
- EN 388:2016+A1:2018
- EN ISO 374-1:2016+A1:2018
- EN ISO 374-5:2016
- EN 407
- EN 511:2006
- EN 16350:2014
Read this ifYou see 4X43D, Type A, or EN 407 on a glove
How to read a glove marking (EN 388)
Mechanical risks. Example code: 4X43D P. Read it left to right - each place is one test.
EN 388- 4
Abrasion (0-4)
How long it lasts when rubbed.
How many rubs before a hole. 1 = 100, 2 = 500, 3 = 2,000, 4 = 8,000 cycles.
0 low4 high - X
Coup cut (0-5 or X)
The old blade test. X means it was not done.
Blade test with a rotating circular blade. X = not tested or not suitable (often because the yarn blunts the blade - then look at the letter at 5).
X = not tested - 4
Tear (0-4)
How hard it is to rip.
Force to tear: 1 = 10 N, 2 = 25 N, 3 = 50 N, 4 = 75 N.
0 low4 high - 3
Puncture (0-4)
How hard it is to poke a point through.
Force for a point to go through: 1 = 20 N, 2 = 60 N, 3 = 100 N, 4 = 150 N. Not a needle test.
0 low4 high - D
Cut, ISO 13997 (A-F)
The main cut score. Later letter = harder to cut.
The main cut score today. A = 2 N, B = 5 N, C = 10 N, D = 15 N, E = 22 N, F = 30 N.
A lowF high - P
Impact (P, optional)
Padding on the back of the hand passed a knock test.
Only shown if the knuckle/back-of-hand padding passed the impact test (EN 13594 method).
- 0 = tested but below level 1. X = not tested or not applicable.
- Which do I need? Light handling: cut A-B. Sheet metal, glass, blades: cut D-F.
- 4 - abrasion (rubbing). 0-4.
- X - old cut test. X = not tested.
- 4 - tear. 0-4.
- 3 - puncture. 0-4.
- D - cut (main score). A-F.
- P - impact padding. Optional.
Cut level: good / better / best
The letter after the four numbers. Higher letter = more force needed to cut through.
- 2 N +Light handling, packing
- 5 N +General assembly
- 10 N +Light sheet metal, trades
- 15 N +Glass, sharp metal
- 22 N +Heavy metal, recycling
- 30 N +Blades, sheet glass, very sharp edges
| Letter | Typical use |
|---|---|
| A-B | Packing, light handling |
| C | Light sheet metal, trades |
| D-E | Glass, sharp metal |
| F | Blades, sheet glass |
Chemical gloves (EN ISO 374-1)
Example: Type A with the letters JKLOPT under a flask pictogram.
EN ISO 374-1- Type A
Type A / B / C
How many test chemicals it resisted, and for how long.
A = at least 30 min (level 2) against 6 listed chemicals. B = 30 min against 3. C = 10 min (level 1) against 1. Type C shows no letters.
- J
J = n-Heptane
One letter = one test chemical it passed.
Each letter is a test chemical the glove resisted.
- K
K = Sodium hydroxide 40%
- L
L = Sulphuric acid 96%
- O
O = Ammonia 25%
- P
P = Hydrogen peroxide 30%
- T
T = Formaldehyde 37%
- All 18 letters: A Methanol, B Acetone, C Acetonitrile, D Dichloromethane, E Carbon disulphide, F Toluene, G Diethylamine, H Tetrahydrofuran, I Ethyl acetate, J n-Heptane, K Sodium hydroxide 40%, L Sulphuric acid 96%, M Nitric acid 65%, N Acetic acid 99%, O Ammonia 25%, P Hydrogen peroxide 30%, S Hydrofluoric acid 40%, T Formaldehyde 37%.
- Breakthrough levels: 1 = 10 min, 2 = 30, 3 = 60, 4 = 120, 5 = 240, 6 = 480 min. These are lab times at 23 C - real use is shorter. Check the manufacturer's chemical chart for YOUR chemical.
- Type A - 6 chemicals, 30 min each.
- Type B - 3 chemicals, 30 min each.
- Type C - 1 chemical, 10 min.
- Letters = which test chemicals. Check the manufacturer's chart for your chemical.
Germs and viruses (EN ISO 374-5)
Bacteria, fungi and (optionally) viruses.
EN ISO 374-5- EN ISO 374-5
Bacteria and fungi
Pictogram alone = passed the leak tests (air and water) for bacteria and fungi.
- VIRUS
Virus protection
The word VIRUS under the pictogram = also passed the virus penetration test (ISO 16604, method B). No word = not tested for viruses.
- Medical examination gloves are a separate law (medical devices) and standard: EN 455. Some gloves carry both.
- Pictogram = bacteria and fungi.
- VIRUS under it = viruses too.
Heat (EN 407)
Example code: 412X4X. Six places, each one a test, levels 0-4 (X = not tested).
EN 407- 4
A - Limited flame spread
Does it stop burning quickly?
How long the glove keeps burning/glowing after a flame is removed. Level 4 = after-flame 2 s or less.
- 1
B - Contact heat
Can you hold hot things?
Holding hot objects: 1 = 100 C, 2 = 250 C, 3 = 350 C, 4 = 500 C, for at least 15 s.
- 2
C - Convective heat
Does it block hot air?
Heat from hot air / flames nearby. Higher = longer before heat gets through.
- X
D - Radiant heat
Does it block glowing heat?
Heat from glowing sources (furnaces). X = not tested.
- 4
E - Small molten metal splashes
Can it take small drops of melted metal?
Number of drops needed to raise the inside by 40 C. Level 4 = 35+ drops.
- X
F - Large molten metal
Can it take big splashes of melted metal?
Grams of molten iron before a PVC skin film is damaged.
- Under EN 407:2020 a glove with A = X uses a "heat only" pictogram without the flame, and must not be used near open flame.
- Six numbers: flame, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes, big splashes.
- Contact heat: 1 = 100 °C, 2 = 250 °C, 3 = 350 °C, 4 = 500 °C.
Cold (EN 511)
Example code: 121. Three places.
EN 511- 1
Convective cold (0-4)
Keeps cold air out.
Insulation against cold air. Higher = warmer.
0 low4 high - 2
Contact cold (0-4)
Lets you hold cold things.
Holding cold objects. Higher = more resistance.
0 low4 high - 1
Water penetration (0 or 1)
Keeps water out.
1 = no water got through in 30 min. 0 = failed. X = not tested.
0 low1 high
Anti-static (EN 16350)
Gloves that let static charge drain away. Usually no extra code - just the standard number.
EN 16350- EN 16350
Electrostatic properties
Vertical resistance below 1.0 x 10^8 ohms, tested at 23 C and 25% humidity.
- Earthed
Only works when grounded
The wearer must be earthed (e.g. ESD footwear on a dissipative floor, or a wrist strap).
Size and dexterity (EN ISO 21420)
The "base" standard every protective glove meets. It covers sizing, comfort, harmless materials and labels.
EN ISO 21420- Size 9
Glove size (6-11)
Based on hand circumference and length. Size 9 is about 229 mm around the palm, hand length about 192 mm.
- Dex 5
Dexterity (1-5)
Picking up pins with the glove on. 5 = can pick up a 5 mm pin (best). 1 = 11 mm pin.
- i
Read the instructions
Info pictogram: the leaflet explains limits and care.
- pH
Harmless materials
pH 3.5-9.5; leather: chromium VI below 3 mg/kg.
- Glove sizes: 6 = 152 mm / 160 mm, 7 = 178 / 171, 8 = 203 / 182, 9 = 229 / 192, 10 = 254 / 204, 11 = 279 / 215 (hand circumference / hand length).
Food-safe gloves
Food contact is NOT part of EN 388 or EN ISO 374. It is a separate food law.
| Look for | What it means |
|---|---|
| Glass and fork symbol | The material is meant for contact with food (Regulation (EC) 1935/2004; retained in GB law). |
| Declaration of compliance | Manufacturer states which food types and conditions were tested (e.g. fatty foods, max time). |
| Colour (often blue) | Easy to spot if a piece falls into food. Not a legal rule - good practice. |
Which do I need?
Which glove?
- Sharp edges?EN 388 cut C or higher
- Chemicals?EN ISO 374-1 + check the chart
- Germs?EN ISO 374-5 (VIRUS)
- Hot?EN 407
- Cold?EN 511
- Electronics?EN 16350
- Food?Food-contact symbol
Common mistakes
- Reading 4X43D as "level 4 cut". The cut score is the letter.
- Choosing chemical gloves by Type alone. Check the chemical chart.
- Wearing cut gloves near spinning machines. They can drag hands in.
- Using a heat glove that is wet. Steam burns.
The law
- PPE at Work Regulations 1992: suitable, free, fitted, trained.
- COSHH 2002: for chemicals and germs, gloves must suit the substance.
- PPE at Work Regulations (NI) 1993; COSHH (NI) 2003. HSENI.
- EU rule89/656/EECIrish lawGA Regulations 2007 regs 62-67What you doprovide free, suitable gloves.
- EU ruleChemical Agents Directive 98/24/ECIrish lawChemical Agents Regulations 2001 (as amended)What you doassess chemicals, pick gloves that resist them.
- Products: Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Chemical and germ gloves are Category III.
Shop Gloves
Frequently asked questions
What does 4X43D mean on a glove?
EN 388: 4 abrasion, X old cut test not done, 4 tear, 3 puncture, D cut (main score, A-F). A P after it means impact padding.
Is 4X43D a level 4 cut glove?
No. The cut score is the letter. D is the cut level.
What is the difference between chemical glove Type A, B and C?
Type A - 6 chemicals, 30 min each. Type B - 3 chemicals, 30 min each. Type C - 1 chemical, 10 min. Check the manufacturer's chart for your chemical.
