Heat-resistant gloves are essential for industries such as welding, metal fabrication, glass handling, and foundry work. Yet many buyers simply look for “high-temperature gloves” without understanding what level of heat or flame protection they truly need. This often results in overpaying for gloves that are too heavy — or choosing gloves that don’t provide enough protection.

The EN 407 standard helps solve this problem. It provides clear, measurable performance ratings for heat and flame risks. In this guide, we break down EN 407 in a simple and practical way to help you choose the right gloves for your specific work conditions.

01 What Is EN 407?

EN 407 is the European standard for gloves that protect against thermal risks. Thermal hazards include:

• Contact heat

• Convective heat

• Radiant heat

• Small splashes of molten metal

• Large splashes of molten metal

• Flames

Gloves tested under EN 407 receive six performance ratings. Each rating ranges from 1 to 4, with higher numbers indicating better protection.

02 The Six EN 407 Performance Ratings (Explained Simply)

Below is a clear, real-world explanation of each test and what it means for the user.

1. Burning Behaviour (1–4)

Measures how easily the glove catches fire and how long it continues to burn.

Useful for:
Welding, grinding, hot cutting
Look for:
Level 3–4 for jobs involving sparks or open flames

2. Contact Heat (1–4)

How well the glove resists direct contact with hot surfaces.

Important for:
Metalworking, hot tools, oven work, glass handling

3. Convective Heat (1–4)

Measures heat transfer through hot air.

Typical use cases:
Foundries, high-temperature industrial ovens, furnace operations

4. Radiant Heat (1–4)

Protection against radiant heat from high-temperature sources.

Important for:
Forging, smelting, working near large heat sources

5. Small Splashes of Molten Metal (1–4)

Simulates accidental contact with small molten metal particles.

Useful for:
Welders, metal fabrication, workshop environments

6. Large Splashes of Molten Metal (1–4)

A more extreme test where large amounts of molten metal are applied.

Used in:
Heavy metal production, foundries, high-risk thermal environments

03 How to Read an EN 407 Marking

Example marking:

EN 407: 423X4X

Each digit corresponds to the six tests in order.

“X” means the test was not performed or is not applicable to the glove.

This allows you to quickly identify whether a glove is designed for:

• Hot surface contact

• Melting metal hazards

• High radiant heat

• Welding sparks

• Or only general heat exposure

04 Common Mistakes When Choosing Heat-Resistant Gloves

Many buyers misunderstand EN 407. Here are the most common mistakes:

❌ Mistake 1: Thinking all heat-resistant gloves are the same

Actual heat level matters. A glove designed for 250°C cannot handle 500°C.

❌ Mistake 2: Using welding gloves for foundry work

Welding gloves protect against sparks — not large molten metal.

❌ Mistake 3: Choosing the highest rating “just in case”

High-level heat gloves tend to be thicker and reduce flexibility.
Choose only what is needed.

❌ Mistake 4: Ignoring contact vs radiant heat

A glove may resist 350°C contact heat but fail radiant heat tests.

05 Quick Guide: Which EN 407 Rating Do You Need?

✔ For Welding

• Burning behavior: 3–4

• Small molten metal: 2–3

• Contact heat: 1–2

✔ For Glass & Metal Handling

• Contact heat: 3–4

• Radiant heat: 2–3

✔ For Foundry & Smelting

• Large molten metal: 3–4

• Radiant heat: 3–4

• Convective heat: 3–4

✔ For Kitchen & Oven Work

• Contact heat: 1–2

• Burning behavior less critical

06 How EN 407 Helps You Choose the Right Gloves

EN 407 makes glove selection clearer by:

• Matching heat levels to real tasks

• Avoiding under- or over-protection

• Ensuring gloves meet consistent safety standards

• Helping users understand temperature limits

• Improving both safety and comfort

07 How CHEAMY Helps You Pick the Right Heat-Resistant Gloves

We support buyers by providing:

• EN 407-tested heat-resistant gloves

• Nitrile, leather, aramid, and composite material options

• Expertise in matching gloves to industry requirements

• Samples for testing

• Advice for long-term procurement projects

We provide more than PPE — we provide safety.

Conclusion

Understanding EN 407 is the key to choosing the right heat-resistant gloves.
Different jobs face different heat risks, and this standard helps you match glove performance with your real working environment.

If you handle heat, sparks, or molten materials, the EN 407 rating should be one of your most important selection tools.

For more insights into PPE standards, you can also explore our guide on EN 388 cut protection and EN 374 chemical resistance.