EN 388 is the European standard for gloves protecting against mechanical risks. Every compliant glove carries a code under the shield pictogram that scores it for abrasion, cut, tear and puncture — plus, since the 2016 revision, a more reliable cut-resistance letter and an optional impact mark.
Reading the code, digit by digit
- 1st digit — Abrasion resistance, 0 to 4 (higher is better).
- 2nd digit — Coupe (blade) cut resistance, 0 to 5.
- 3rd digit — Tear resistance, 0 to 4.
- 4th digit — Puncture resistance, 0 to 4.
- 5th character — ISO 13997 cut resistance, a letter from A (lowest) to F (highest).
- 6th character — Impact protection: P if the glove passes EN 13594, or absent if not tested.
A digit shown as X means that test was not performed or was not applicable.
Why there are two cut scores
The original coupe test (the 0–5 digit) can be blunted by modern high-performance yarns, giving an unreliable reading. The 2016 update added the ISO 13997 "TDM" test, which uses a straight blade and reports an A–F letter. For cut-resistant gloves, trust the letter: it is the more accurate measure of how the glove resists a sharp edge.
Matching cut level to the task
- A–B: light assembly, general handling, minimal sharp-edge risk.
- C–D: handling sheet metal, glass, building materials and most construction tasks.
- E–F: heavy metal fabrication, blade changes and work with significant cut hazards.
Higher is not always better — a very high cut level can mean a stiffer, less dextrous glove. Match the level to the real risk so people keep the right gloves on rather than swapping to something more comfortable but less protective.
General information only. Cut protection is one factor — always base glove selection on a task risk assessment, including grip, dexterity, chemical and heat needs.