EN511 covers requirements for protection from cold risks on working gloves for winter use. Especially in working conditions with risk for frostbite, it’s crucial to choose EN511 certified gloves.
Under the EN511 symbol are three digits symbolizing different protection levels. Only EN511 certified gloves are allowed to display a snowflake symbol on the glove.
Some gloves don’t test all three properties and will have those tests marked with an X instead of a value.
XXX
Values: 0-4, the most resistant is 4
The first digit represents resistance to convective cold. Convection is when hands are exposed to cold winds and rain. The more heat a glove can retain when exposed to convection, the higher the protection value.
| Protection level (low to high) |
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Thermal insulation ITR (m².°C/W) |
≤ 0.10 |
> 0.10 ≤ 0.15 |
> 0.15 ≤ 0.22 |
> 0.22 ≤ 0.30 |
≥ 0.30 |
XXX
Values: 0-4, the most resistant is 4
The second digit represents resistance to contact cold, which is the most common test. Conduction is losing heat, for example, when holding a ball of ice or frozen tools. The more heat a glove can retain when in contact with a cold object, the higher the rating.
| Protection level (low to high) |
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Contact cold thermal resistance R (m².°C/W) |
≤ 0.025 |
> 0.025 ≤ 0.050 |
> 0.050 ≤ 0.1 |
> 0.1 ≤ 0.15 |
> 0.15 |
XXX
Values: 0-1, the gloves stay dry after 30 minutes
The third digit represents water penetration or simply put if the glove is waterproof. In this test, gloves that can remain waterproof for 30 minutes and stay dry inside, is rated as a 1. If some water leak inside the glove it is rated a 0.
| Values | 0 | 1 |
| Water penetration | Water penetrates within 30 minutes |
Water does not penetrate within 30 minutes |
This test is important for gloves with waterproof membranes. However, a 0 rating can still mean the glove is waterproof for a shorter time.
EN388 Protection against mechanical risks
EN407:2020 protective gloves against thermal risks (head and/or fire)
