Glove Standards

The European standard EN 388 regulates the minimum requirements, test methods and labelling of safety gloves against mechanical risks when carrying out work.

Protection against mechanical risks is presented by a pictogram accompanied by five numbers (performance levels), each representing test performance against a specific hazard.

The mechanical risks and/or their test methods are defined as follows:

  • Abrasion Resistance

    Based on the number of cycles required to abrade through the glove.
    (Highest performance level 4 = 8,000 cycles)

  • Blade Cut Resistance

    Based on the number of cycles required to cut through the glove with a circular blade at a constant speed.
    (Highest performance level 5 = index 20)

  • Tear Resistance

    Based on the amount of force required to tear the glove.
    (Highest performance level 4 = 75 Newtons)

  • Puncture Resistance

    Based on the amount of force required to pierce the glove with a standard-sized point.
    (Highest performance level 4 = 150 Newtons)

  • EN ISO 13997 Cut Resistance

    Based on the minimum force required to cut through the glove with a straight blade.
    (Highest performance level F = 30 Newtons)

The following pictogram shows how the performance levels are represented:

4 – Abrasion resistance (0 to 4)

X – Coup test cut resistance (0 to 5; X = not applicable or tested)

3 – Tear resistance (0 to 4)

2 – Puncture resistance (0 to 4)

D – Cut resistance in accordance with ISO 13997 (A to F)

EN 388: Protection Against Mechanical Risk

TEST Performance Levels
1 2 3 4 5
Abrasion Resistance (Cycle) <100 500 2000 8000 –
Blade Cut Resistance (Index) <1.2 2.5 5 10 20
Tear Resistance (Newtons) <10 25 50 75 –
Puncture Resistance (Newtons) <20 40 100 150 –
A B C D E F
EN ISO 13997 Cut Resistance (Newtons) 2 5 10 15 22 30

EN 388: Performance Levels

Abrasion Resistance (Cycle)

1 2 3
<100 500 2000
4 5
8000 –

Blade Cut Resistance (Index)

1 2 3
<1.2 2.5 5
4 5
10 20

Tear Resistance (Newtons)

1 2 3
<10 25 50
4 5
75 –

Puncture Resistance (Newtons)

1 2 3
<20 40 100
4 5
150 –

EN ISO 13997 Cut Resistance (Newtons)

A B C
2 5 10
D E  F
15 22  30