A new test to measure impact protection was added to the EN388 standard. The method for testing is:

• Impact applied to the palm, back or knuckle area of the hand
• Uses the existing motorbike impact test EN13594:2015
• 2.5kg weight is dropped to exert a 5 joules energy impact
• Pass is achieved if the gloves reach level 1
• P is then added to the glove’s certification markings

The Abrasion Test is designed to give an indication of the durability of the gloves. The performance levels are still the same but the sandpaper used to perform the test has been changed from 100 grit to a finer 180 grit material.

The method for testing the cut resistance of gloves has been typically carried out using a circular blade which moves back and forth across the surface of the gloves. This test is commonly referred to as the Coup Test. The revisions to the Coup Test are:

• Circular blade test stops at 60 cycles
• New blade used for every cut
• If cutting factor is greater than 3 (i.e. difference in performance of the reference material against the test material) the straight blade test becomes the reference test.
• The Coup Test does not have to be referenced if referencing the Straight Blade Test. In this case it will be marked with an X.

The Straight Blade test can be used in lieu of the Coup Test. It should also be used if the Coup Test reaches 60 cycles or if the cutting factor is greater than 3.

• The test is conducted on a TDM 100 machine
• Tests are conducted using a new blade every time, blunting is not a factor
• Increasing levels of force are applied, 2 newtons up to 30 newtons
• Letter score is applied A – F, F being the highest
• The letter reference is applied in lieu of or along with the cut number reference

The EN 407 heat and flame pictogram is accompanied by a 6 digit number. This 6 digit number identifies the performance levels (1-4) which a glove can achieve for each of the tests within the standard. The higher the performance level, the greater the protection of the glove against a range of thermal risks as described below:

A - Resistance To Flammability
Measures how likely a glove is to catch fire after a flame is applied.

B - Resistance To Contact Heat
Measures the ability of a glove to resist heat when placed in direct contact with a heated object or hot surface.

C - Resistance To Convective Heat
Measures the ability of a glove to resist heat from a flame source.

D - Resistance To Radiant Heat
Measures the ability of a glove to resist heat from a radiant heat source.

E - Resistance To Small Splashes of Molten Metal
Measures the specific amount of molten droplets (from a melted metal rod), required to raise the inside temperature of a glove by 40°C.

F - Resistance To Large Splashes of Molten Metal
Measures the amount of molten iron (in grams) required to cause damage to "simulated skin" placed inside the glove.

EN 511:2006 is the European Standard specifying the requirements and test methods for gloves which protect against conductive cold down to -50 degrees Celcius. This cold can be linked to climate conditions or an industrial activity.

1) Convective Cold

A glove is placed on a hand model which is heated between 30-35 degrees Celsius in a test chamber. The amount of energy required to maintain this heat determines the performance level of the glove. This is calculated by applying a specific formula known as the resultant thermal insulation formula or (ITR) as outlined in the table to the left. There are 4 performance levels overall. The higher the performance level the greater the insulation properties of the glove.

2) Contact Cold

A sample material of a glove is placed into a test chamber between 2 metal plates, one heated and one cold. A Thermal Resistance (R) formula measures the temperature drop across the test sample which is then compared to that of a control sample (non thermal material) in order to calculate its thermal resistance. There are 4 levels ranging from 1-4, the higher the thermal resistance the greater the insulating capacity of the glove to insulate against cold.

3) Water Penetration

The Water Penetration test or Water Impermeability test is a straight forward test based on a pass/fail basis. The glove sample is submerged into water, if after 30 minutes no water has managed to penetrate the glove then it is deemed to have passed the test, otherwise it is classed as a fail.

The results are indicated by either 0 or 1.