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ZETTACUT is a proven brand of high-performance personal protective equipment,
providing optimal safety solutions with advanced materials engineered
to resist cuts, slashes, heat and impact.

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Standards & Certification

industry standards Industry Standard Certifications

In the European Union, it is legally mandatory for workers in industrial settings to wear gloves appropriate for their specific tasks. Therefore, it is highly recommended to wear gloves suitable for use, such as EU and ANSI safety standards.

ZETTA X industry standards - Industry Standard Certifications ZETTA X industry standards - Industry Standard Certifications

In the European Union, it is legally mandatory for workers in industrial settings to wear gloves appropriate for their specific tasks. Therefore, it is highly recommended to wear gloves suitable for use, such as EU and ANSI safety standards.

EN420 - General requirements

This standard specifies the requirements for gloves suitable for use in industrial settings.

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon EN388

    EN388

    Mechanical Hazards

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon EN407

    EN407

    Thermal (Heat) Hazards

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon EN1149

    EN1149

    Antistatic

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon EN374-2

    EN374-2

    Micro-Organisms

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon EN374-3

    EN374-3

    Chemical Hazards

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon EN511

    EN511

    Protection from Cold

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon Hand Protection Standards

    Hand Protection Standards

    Food Handling

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon Hand Protection Standards

    Hand Protection Standards

    Radioactive Contamination

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon Hand Protection Standards

    Hand Protection Standards

    Ionising Radiation

  • ZETTA X EN420 General requirements icon Hand Protection Standards

    Hand Protection Standards

    Low Chemical Resistance

CE Category Information

The Personal Protective Equipment Directives (89/686/CEE) and (93/68/CEE) have been enacted by the European
Community to ensure harmonisation of regulations regarding testing of all PPE sold within the community. All gloves of
intermediate and complex design must now be tested independently to ascertain their performance and ensure their
safety. They must, if they meet these standards, carry a CE Mark on the gloves or their packaging when it is not practical.

  • ZETTA X CE Category Information - CE Category I

    CE Category I

    Simple Design – for minimal risks only. Suitable only for low risk applications where hazards can be identified by the wearer in time to deal with them.

  • ZETTA X CE Category Information - CE Category II

    CE Category II

    Intermediate Design – reversible risks. Products are type examined by an approved body where they examine the manufacturers’ technical specifications and conduct tests for the relevant standards to ascertain their conformity and/or performance.

  • ZETTA X CE Category Information - CE Category I

    CE Category III

    Potentially fatal risks, for example in activities where toxic or highly corrosive chemicals are handled. The glove must meet the standards set out for this category. Its compliance is not only certified but also checked by a notified body, the reference number of which is located below the CE logo.

EN388
EN388:2016 ZETTA X CE Category Information - EN388:2016

EN388:2016
What is the European Industrial Safety Glove Level?

A European standard for classifying protective gloves based on their resistance to cuts and mechanical hazards, providing high reliability in the accuracy of glove performance and protection level.

4 5 4 4 F P
1

Abrasion
Resistance

1, 2, 3, 4
ZETTA X European Industrial Safety Glove Level - Abrasion Resistance

The degree of wear is measured by rotating 180-grit sandpaper

2

Cut Resistance
By Blade

1, 2, 3, 4, 5
ZETTA X European Industrial Safety Glove Level - Cut Resistance By Blade

A circular blade moves back and forth under 5 N pressure until it cuts through the material.

3

Tear
Resistance

1, 2, 3, 4
ZETTA X European Industrial Safety Glove Level - Tear Resistance

The force required to tear the glove material is measured.

4

Puncture
Resistance

1, 2, 3, 4
ZETTA X European Industrial Safety Glove Level - Puncture Resistance

The test measures the force needed to pierce the material with a sharp object.

5

Cut Resistance
EN ISO 13997

A, B, C, D, E, F
ZETTA X European Industrial Safety Glove Level - Cut Resistance EN ISO 13997

The effect of applied force on cut resistance during testing is evaluated.

6

Impact
Protection

P, F, X
ZETTA X European Industrial Safety Glove Level - Impact Protection

The letter “P” is marked if the glove has an impact protection function.

A higher level number indicates greater protection against cutting and slicing risks.
Performance levels 0 1 2 3 4 5
AAbrasion resistance (Cycles)
< 100 100 500 2000 8000 -
BBlade cut resistance (Coupe test : index)*1
< 100 1.2 2.5 Anilin 10.0 20.0
CTear resistance (Newton)
< 100 10 25 50 75 -
DPuncture resistance (Newton)
< 20 20 60 100 150 -
Performance levels A B C D E F
EEN ISO cut resistance (TDM test : Newton)*2
2(203 grams) 5(509 grams) 10(1019 grams) 15(1529 grams) 22(243 grams) 30(3059 grams)
FEN Impact Protection
PASS or FAIL
※ Note : There is no correlation between the levels of performance obtained with the *1 and *2 test methods.
※ Level X can also be applied for “a” through “f” above, which means “not tested” or “not applicable”
  • AAbrasion resistance (Cycles)

    The test defines the abrasion resistance or durability of the glove material. The material is abraded under known pressure with a cyclic planar motion in the form of a Lissajous figure. Abrasion resistance is determined as the number of abrasion cycles required to break through.

  • BBlade cut resistance

    The test measures cut resistance by a circular rotating blade that moves back and forth on the test specimen under a specified load and rotates in the opposite direction to this movement. The test simulates repetitive activities with a constant cutting load. The test is considered a good indicator of protection against injury for light and medium-weight parts. The test is ended manually after a maximum of 60 cycles. For materials that have a dulling effect on the blade, the procedure according to EN ISO 13997 must be carried out.

    TipAlways consider the grip when looking for cut gloves as the more suitable to grip the lower the risk of cuts according.
  • CTear resistance

    The resistance to tear is defined as the force necessary to propagate a tear in a specimen slit half way along its length. Materials with high tear resistance ensure longevity. In general, gloves should not be worn on rotating machines (e.g. drill). The tear strength of the protective gear would prevent tearing off if you were hit by the machine.

  • DPuncture resistance

    The puncture force is defined as the force required to pierce a test sample using a steel pin of specified dimensions. This is not to be confused with perforating done using thin points or needles. The outermost and innermost layers of the glove must not show any signs of melting or hole formation.

  • EEN ISO cut resistance

    The test measures the cut resistance against a blade at a specified length of cut. Different pressures are exerted on the knife. The result is reported in N(Newtons) of the pressure passed. The test simulates a one off cut at varying pressures and can be used as an indicator of emergency/accident protection. From a value of E and F, the gloves are considered highly cut-resistant for emergency cut situations.

  • FEN Impact Protection

    Impact test according to EN 13594:2015. Here the absorption of the impact energy of 5 J on the absorption material of the glove is tested. This Test is optional and is only expressed with a P for passed.

EN407

EN407:2020

Protective gloves against thermal risks

ZETTA X Protective gloves against thermal risks - EN407:2020 Icon indicates
glove has been
tested to limited
flame spread(LFS)
ZETTA X Protective gloves against thermal risks - EN407:2020 Icon indicates glove
has been tested
to LFS, i.e. glove has
protection against
heat without flame
4 2 3 3 4 2
1

Limited flame
spread

1, 2, 3, 4
2

Contact heat
resistance

1, 2, 3, 4
3

Convective heat
resistance

1, 2, 3, 4
4

Radiant heat
resistance

1, 2, 3, 4
5

Resistance to
small splashes of
molten metal

1, 2, 3, 4
6

Resistance to
large splashes of
molten metal

1, 2, 3, 4
Tests Levels
ALimited flame spread
0 - 4
BContact heat resistance
0 - 4
CConvective heat resistance
0 - 4
DRadiant heat resistance
0 - 4
EResistance to small splashes of molten metal
0 - 4
FResistance to large splashes of molten metal
0 - 4
Got all that? Now let’s take a closer look at the six glove performance tests. Note that a glove can be tested to all of these tests or just one.
  • ALimited flame spread

    This test is indicated by the above fire icon. Because the presence of flame is inherently dangerous, this test assesses a glove’s flammability and charring behavior after being exposed to a direct flame.

    How the test works

    In a controlled chamber, the glove is exposed to the flame for three seconds. The same test is performed for 10 seconds. After-flame and afterglow times are logged and the glove is inspected for any damage or exposed seams.

    After-burn time (seconds) After-glow time (seconds) Rating
    Under 15 seconds Infinity 1
    Under 10 seconds Under 120 seconds 2
    Under 3 seconds Under 25 seconds 3
    Under 2 seconds Under 5 seconds 4
  • BContact heat resistance

    This tests thermal resistance by measuring the rate of temperature rise, or, in other words, how long gloves keep the heat at bay.

    Note : If a glove is not tested and certified to LFS, this test is indicated by the above icon with three wavy lines. This means the glove has protection against heat without flame.

    How the test works

    Samples are placed on four plates heated from 100°C to 500°C. Performance is determined by how long it takes the temperature on the side opposite the sample to rise 10°C. This is known as the threshold time. Gloves need to withstand the increasing temperature of maximum 10°C for at least 15 seconds for a pass at a given level.

    Tests can be performed on any area of the glove that is intended to be exposed to contact heat (if explicitly stated on the packaging). If no area is designated, the rating is on the palm.

    Temperature after 15 seconds
    (plate temperature)
    Rating
    100°C 1
    250°C 2
    350°C 3
    500°C 4
  • CConvective heat resistance

    This test exposes gloves to a flame heat source, with the glove being spaced well away from flame, never making contact. Different surfaces of the glove are tested.

    How the test works

    In a controlled chamber, the back-of-hand and palm samples are exposed to a heat source. The goal is to determine how long it takes to raise the inner temperature of the glove 24°C.

    Seconds Rating
    Over 4 seconds 1
    Over 7 seconds 2
    Over 10 seconds 3
    Over 18 seconds 4
  • DRadiant heat resistance

    This tests the back of the glove to ensure materials can resist extreme heat radiating through the glove’s various materials.

    How the test works

    Glove samples are exposed to a radiant heat source. Like the Convective Heat Resistance test, the goal is to assess how long it takes the inners temperatures to rise 24°C.

    Seconds Rating
    Over 7 seconds 1
    Over 20 seconds 2
    Over 50 seconds 3
    Over 95 seconds 4
  • EResistance to small splashes of molten metal

    This test is designed to assess hand protection when working with small amounts of molten metal. Welding is a good example.

    How the test works

    In a controlled chamber, two palm and two back-of-the-hand samples are exposed to small drops of molten metal, such as copper. Protective performance is based on the number of drops needed to raise the temperature by 40°C on the opposite side of the sample. The cuff is also tested if composed of different materials than palm/back-of-hand.

    Number of drops Rating
    Over 10 1
    Over 15 2
    Over 25 3
    Over 35 4
  • FResistance to large splashes of molten metal

    For this test, PVC foil is used to simulate how skin would be affected inside the glove.

    How the test works

    Molten metal, such as iron, is poured over a glove sample that, in turn, is placed over PVC foil. After each of the three tests, the foil is assessed for changes.

    Grams of molten Rating
    30g 1
    60g 2
    120g 3
    200g 4
ANSI

Standard for Cut Testing

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) current standard for displaying the rating of hand protection against cut risks is ANSI/ISEA 105-2024.

ASTM F2992-23 Standard

1. Nine Levels of cut protection
2. TDM-100 is the only machine acceptable for testing
3. Blade must be changed after each test
4. Five times at each of three weight loads ensure accurate results

ASTM F2992-23 is the standard used to obtain gram results, the ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 standard then interprets what classification level those results will report as. These two standards streamline the process, ensuring predictability and consistency across the hand protection industry.

ANSI/ISEA 105‑2024 :
Hand Protection & Cut Level Ratings

ZETTA X - ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 New Icon Designation

Current Cut Levels

ZETTA X - Current Cut Levels ZETTA X - Current Cut Levels
1

Blade is
Lowered onto
test material

2

Blade is moved
20mm across
test material

  • CUT
    LEVELA9
    ≥6,000 grams
  • CUT
    LEVELA8
    ≥5,000 grams
  • CUT
    LEVELA7
    ≥4,000 grams
  • CUT
    LEVELA6
    ≥3,000 grams
  • CUT
    LEVELA5
    ≥2,200 grams
  • CUT
    LEVELA4
    ≥1,500 grams
  • CUT
    LEVELA3
    ≥1,000 grams
  • CUT
    LEVELA2
    ≥500 grams
  • CUT
    LEVELA1
    ≥200 grams
Cut Level Hazards
Level A9 Highest cut risks
Level A8 Very high cut risks, Aerospace, Recycling
Level A7 Aerospace, Window Manufacturing, Recycling
Level A6 Metal Stamping and Fabrication, Electrical, Construction
Level A5 Appliance Manufacturing, Glass Handling, HVAC
Level A4 Glass Handling, HVAC, Machining, Metal Fabrication
Level A3 Construction, Automotive Assembly
Level A2 Automotive, Packaging, Metal Handling
Level A1 Assembly, Warehouse, Material Handling