Overview - ISO 23407:2021 (Protective gloves against thermal risks)
ISO 23407:2021 specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information for protective gloves and other hand (and arm) protective equipment against thermal risks - heat and/or fire. The standard applies to protection from flame, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes and large quantities of molten metal for professional, consumer and domestic use. ISO 23407:2021 is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 21420:2020 (general glove requirements) and is an adoption of the European standard EN 407. It does not apply to specialist firefighter or welding gloves, which have separate standards.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & applicability: Hand and partial-hand protection, plus arm protective equipment; professional, consumer and domestic fields.
- Performance classes: Defined by test methods for different thermal hazards (flame, contact, convective, radiant, molten metal).
- Test methods & sampling: Detailed procedures for specimen selection, conditioning and laboratory testing.
- Thermal performance tests:
- Limited flame spread (ignition and afterflame/afterglow behavior)
- Contact heat transmission
- Convective heat exposure
- Radiant heat exposure
- Small splashes and large quantities of molten metal
- Mechanical and dimensional requirements: Cleaning, mechanical strength, tear resistance, sizes and dimensions for gloves and hand-protective equipment.
- Marking & information: Labeling requirements and manufacturer information to communicate performance and safe use.
- Referenced test standards: Incorporates established methods such as ISO 15025, ISO 12127-1, ISO 6942, ISO 9151, ISO 9185 and others for specific thermal tests.
Applications - who uses ISO 23407:2021
- PPE manufacturers developing or certifying heat- and flame-resistant gloves and arm protection.
- Testing laboratories performing standardized thermal tests and issuing performance classifications.
- Procurement specialists and safety managers selecting protective gloves for industrial, laboratory, kitchen or domestic environments.
- Regulatory bodies and conformity assessors ensuring compliance with international safety requirements.
Using ISO 23407:2021 helps ensure consistent thermal protection performance, accurate product marking, and reliable comparison across glove products for heat and fire hazards.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 23407:2021, protective gloves, thermal risks, heat and fire, glove testing, contact heat, limited flame spread, molten metal protection, PPE standard.
