STANDARD EN 511:2006

Protective gloves against cold


The EN 511:2006 is a European standard that sets the requirements and testing methods for safety and work gloves designed to protect against cold-related hazards. It ensures gloves provide reliable insulation and water resistance in low-temperature environments, protecting hands from frostbite and reduced dexterity.

The EN 511:2006 standard is represented by a snowflake-like pictogram, accompanied by a series of numbers or letters indicating the level of protection in three key areas:

  • Resistance to convective cold (protection level 0-4)

This measures how well gloves insulate against cold air and wind. Higher numbers mean better insulation. The test involves fitting the gloves on an electrically heated hand and measuring the energy needed to maintain the hand temperature between 30 °C and 35 °C in a controlled environment at -20 °C. The more energy required, the lower the convective cold rating. The highest protection level is 4.

  • Resistance to contact cold (protection level 0-4)

This indicates how effectively gloves resist heat transfer when in direct contact with cold surfaces. The test places a glove sample between two metal plates at various temperatures, measuring the temperature drop of the sample to calculate thermal resistance (R). A higher R value means better cold insulation, with the maximum protection level being 4.

  • Water penetration resistance (protection level 0 or 1)

This shows whether water penetrates the glove within 5 minutes. The test is a pass/fail assessment where gloves are submerged in water for 5 minutes. If the glove remains waterproof, it meets level 1 requirements. Gloves that fail are rated level 0, while an "X" indicates the test was not conducted.

0 = Water penetration
1 = No water penetration

Frequently Asked Questions


  • How do I interpret the glove markings that meet the standard?

The EN 511:2006 code (X1X in the pictogram) represents protection levels in three areas:

  • Resistance to convective cold = value X (max 4)

  • Resistance to contact cold = value 1 (max 4)

  • Water penetration resistance = value X (max 1)


Each letter or number corresponds to a specific test result.

  • What does the letter "X" mean in the standard classification?

The letter "X" indicates that the test was either not performed or the result was invalid. For example, if the Coup test is unreliable due to blade dullness, it is marked with an "X" and the TDM test result is used instead.

  • How do I choose the right gloves that meet EN 511:2006?

For outdoor work in wind and snow: Look for high resistance to convective cold (levels 3–4).

For handling frozen objects: Prioritize high resistance to contact cold (levels 3–4).

For wet conditions: Ensure water penetration resistance equals 1.