Cut resistance is the number one spec buyers ask about, and it's where the most confusion happens — because Europe and North America rate it differently. Get the rating wrong and you either over-pay for protection you don't need, or worse, under-protect the wearer. Here's the plain-English version.
EN 388 — the European standard
EN 388 is the European norm for mechanical risks. Since the 2016 update, the marking under the shield pictogram has up to six characters, in this order: abrasion (0–4), coupe cut (0–5), tear (0–4), puncture (0–4), TDM cut (A–F), and an optional impact letter (P).
The important one for cut is split into two tests. The older coupe test (the second digit, 1–5) uses a spinning circular blade. For materials that blunt the blade — like glass fibre or steel — that test is unreliable, so the ISO 13997 TDM test was added, scored A to F (F is highest). When you see a glove rated, say, 4X43D, the "X" means the coupe test wasn't applicable and the "D" is the TDM cut level.
ANSI/ISEA 105 — the North American standard
ANSI/ISEA 105 is what US and Canadian buyers use. Cut resistance is a single, clean scale: A1 to A9, based on the grams of weight needed to cut through the material (tested per ASTM F2992). A1 is light, A9 is the highest available. It's simpler to read than EN 388 because it's one number.
Rough conversion between the two
There is no exact one-to-one mapping — the tests differ — but this approximate guide helps you cross-reference:
| ANSI/ISEA | ≈ EN 388 (TDM) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| A1–A2 | A–B | General handling, light assembly |
| A3–A4 | B–C/D | Metal stamping, glass, automotive |
| A5–A6 | D–E/F | Sharp-edge handling, sheet metal |
| A7–A9 | F | Extreme cut hazard, blade handling |
Treat this as a starting point for conversation, not a certificate — always confirm against the actual test report.
Which should you put on the product?
Spec the standard your buyer's market uses. Selling into Germany, the UK or the EU? Lead with EN 388. Selling into the US? Lead with the ANSI A-level. Many buyers want both marks on the same glove so it ships to either region — and that's exactly the kind of dual-certified spec we build to order.
Need this built to your spec?
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