STANDARD EN 388:2016 + A1:2018 

Protective gloves against mechanical risks


The EN 388:2016 + A1:2018 standard is a European guideline for assessing protective gloves against mechanical risks such as abrasion, cut, tear, puncture, and impact. It offers a clear performance rating system to help select gloves with the appropriate protection level for specific workplace hazards.

It is identified by a hammer symbol accompanied by a series of numbers and letters indicating protection levels across five key categories:

  • Abrasion resistance (protection level 0–4)

The number of cycles needed to wear through a circular sample of glove material using abrasive paper under constant pressure and motion. The highest protection level is 4, corresponding to 8,000 cycles or more.

  • Cut resistance (Coup test) (protection level 0–5)

This measures the number of rotations of a circular blade moving at a constant speed required to cut through the glove. The result is compared to a reference material to determine an index. The highest level is 5, representing an index of 20.

  • Tear resistance (protection level 0–4)

The force needed to propagate a tear in a rectangular glove sample with an initial cut.

  • Puncture resistance (protection level 0–4)

The force required to pierce the glove with a standardized-sized probe at a set speed (10 cm/min).

  • Cut resistance (TDM test) (protection level A-F)

The force in newtons (N) needed to cut through a sample using a straight blade in a specified testing device, such as a tomodynamometer (TDM). This test is optional unless the blade dulls during the Coup test, in which case it becomes the reference for cut resistance.

Protection levels in Newtons:

A = 2

B = 5

C = 10

D = 15

E = 22

F = 30

  • Impact protection (optional) (protection level P or none)

The impact test follows EN 13594:2015 for motorcycle gloves. It tests the protective area, but due to limited coverage, the fingers are not tested this way. The impact energy is 5 joules, and the transmitted force must meet the highest level, level 1, with an individual result ≤ 9.0 kN and an average ≤ 7.0 kN.
"P" indicates the test was passed successfully.


Frequently Asked Questions


  • How do I interpret the glove markings meeting the standard?


The EN 388:2016+A1:2018 code (2542D as shown in the pictogram) represents protection levels in five areas:

  • Abrasion resistance = 2 (max 4)

  • Cut resistance (Coup test) = 5 (max 5)

  • Tear resistance = 4 (max 4)

  • Puncture resistance = 2 (max 4)

  • Cut resistance (TDM test) = D (max F)


Each letter or number corresponds to a specific test result.

  • What does the letter "X" mean in the standard classification?

The letter "X" means the test was not performed or the result was invalid. For example, if the Coup test is unreliable due to blade dulling, an "X" is assigned, and the TDM test result is used instead.

  • What's the difference between the Coup and TDM cut tests?

The Coup test uses a rotating blade to measure cut resistance, while the TDM test uses a straight blade and measures the force needed to cut through the glove. The TDM test is more accurate for high-performance materials.

  • What is the highest cut resistance level in the standard?

The highest cut resistance level in the TDM test is F, indicating the glove withstands forces of 30 newtons or more.