In the field of security and high-performance transparent solutions, the EN 1063 standard is the European technical reference for the classification of bulletproof glass. Understanding its classes is essential for selecting the right solution for each application, from institutional buildings to armoured vehicles and critical infrastructure.

What is the EN 1063 standard

EN 1063 is the European standard that defines the test methods and classification criteria for bullet-resistant safety glass. Its purpose is to establish a common technical language, verifiable through standardised ballistic tests. This makes it possible to objectively compare the performance of products made by different manufacturers.

The tests set out in the standard are carried out by firing projectiles of defined calibre, velocity and type at a glass sample, from a fixed distance. To pass the test, the projectile must not penetrate the panel. In addition, any fragments on the side opposite the impact must not exceed specific size limits.

This criterion is known as spall assessment. It is an integral part of the classification and distinguishes glass that is truly suitable for protecting people from glass that offers only partial resistance.

The standard is now the benchmark adopted by designers, law enforcement agencies, government bodies and manufacturers of special vehicles when specifying security requirements in technical tender documents.

The BR (Bullet Resistant) classes

The BR classes, from BR1 to BR7, cover resistance to projectiles fired from short and long firearms, with calibres and velocities increasing along the scale. The lower band (BR1-BR3) typically covers low-energy handguns. Moving up the scale, the intermediate classes (BR4-BR5) introduce calibres more commonly used in civilian settings and common crime. The upper classes (BR6-BR7), finally, are intended for high-risk scenarios involving rifles and high-velocity ammunition.

Each BR class precisely specifies the type of weapon, the calibre of the projectile, its mass and the impact velocity required to pass the test. This level of detail makes it possible to select a level of protection genuinely proportionate to the risk of the application, avoiding both undersized solutions and unnecessary over-engineering that would increase costs and weight.

The SG classes

Alongside the BR classes, EN 1063 also includes two classes dedicated specifically to resistance against smooth-bore shotguns: SG1 and SG2. These classes address a distinct type of risk compared with rifled firearms. A shotgun, in fact, fires multiple pellets simultaneously, distributing energy across the glass surface differently from a single projectile.

Class SG1 corresponds to a lower threat level than SG2, which involves repeated shots fired at close range. The distinction between BR and SG classes therefore allows protection to be calibrated according to the type of weapon most likely to be encountered in a given context, such as security counters, banks or high-risk retail premises.

How to read the classification

Correctly interpreting an EN 1063 classification requires attention to three main elements.

The first is the class itself (for example BR4 or SG2), which identifies the threat level passed during the test. The second is the optional “S” or “NS” suffix, which indicates respectively the presence or absence of splinters beyond the permitted limits on the protected side. The “NS” designation (No Splinter) represents the highest performance level, as it guarantees the absence of dangerous fragments even in the event of a direct impact.

The third element to consider is the relationship between resistance class and panel thickness/weight, which varies according to the manufacturing technology and the glass build-up. For an equivalent declared class, products with lower thickness and weight offer significant advantages in terms of installation, structural management and ease of use, without compromising the certified level of security.

Summary table of classes

Class	Threat type	Reference weapon	Suffix
BR1 – BR3	Handguns, low energy	Small-calibre pistols	S / NS
BR4	Handguns, common calibres	Medium to high-calibre pistols	S / NS
BR5 – BR7	Long firearms, high energy	Rifles and high-velocity ammunition	S / NS
SG1	Smooth-bore shotgun, single shot	Shotgun	S / NS
SG2	Smooth-bore shotgun, repeated shots	Shotgun	S / NS

Choosing the correct class should always start with an assessment of the specific risk context, carried out together with a technical partner able to guarantee certified products that comply with the requirements of the EN 1063 standard.