ANSI & EN Safety Standards | Majestic Glove Compliance

Close-up of a person’s hand wearing a high-visibility orange and black safety glove while gripping a metal chain. The glove has the word ‘MAJESTIC’ written on the cuff, and the person is wearing a neon yellow safety vest with reflective stripes partially visible in the background. The focus on the safety gear suggests an industrial or construction setting, emphasizing the importance of personal protective equipment.

ANSI and EN Safety Standards

Safety standards are essential to manufacturing and using equipment across various industries. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the European Norms (EN) are two standards that ensure products meet specific performance and safety requirements.

By understanding the nuances between ANSI and EN ratings, manufacturers, employers, and consumers can make better safety equipment decisions. These standards ensure safety equipment can fit the needs of specific jobs and tasks.

What Are ANSI Ratings?

ANSI is a private, non-profit organization that organizes standards for safety equipment. These ratings are created with input from industry experts, government agencies, and customer groups. Following ANSI standards isn't mandatory; however, OSHA references ANSI, and these standards are the generally accepted safety guidelines within the United States.

What are EN Ratings?

EN standards are adopted by European Union member countries. EN products undergo testing by an independent verifier to ensure they meet the required protection levels. Unlike ANSI, when these standards are adopted, they are legally enforceable. Service providers in EU member countries must follow these standards to market their products and services.

ANSI and EN Ratings Key Differences

Both ANSI and EN standards aim to ensure safety. However, their geographic applicability, creation process, and certification requirements differ. ANSI standards are widely recognized in North America and referenced globally, whereas EN standards become law in the EU and influence regulations in other regions.

Cut Resistance

ANSI/ISEA 105: This standard ranges from A1 to A9, with A9 providing the highest level of cut resistance. The test measures the force in grams required to cut through the glove material. ANSI A2-rated gloves are ideal for low-cut hazards like electronics assembly and handling, whereas A9-rated gloves are essential for high-risk tasks such as handling sharp metal sheets in the HVAC industry.

EN 388: This standard uses a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest cut resistance. The European standard uses two methods: the first tests cut resistance against rotating blades, known as the Coup Test and the second tests for direct contact with a blade, known as the TDM-100 Test.

Cut Level	Weight (grams) to Cut Through Material	Typical Tasks
A1	200 - 499 grams	General material handling, warehouse work
A2	500 - 999 grams	Small parts assembly, light construction
A3	1,000 - 1,499 grams	Handling sheet metal, assembly line work
A4	1,500 - 2,199 grams	Glass handling, metal fabrication
A5	2,200 - 2,999 grams	Heavy construction, automotive assembly
A6	3,000 - 3,999 grams	High-risk sharp object handling, sheet metal work
A7	4,000 - 4,999 grams	Heavy glass handling, extreme metal work
A8	5,000 - 5,999 grams	Heavy industrial work, sharp metal stamping
A9	6,000+ grams	High-cut hazard environments, extreme metal work

Puncture Resistance

ANSI/ISEA 105: Puncture resistance is rated from 1 to 5, based on the force in newtons required to puncture the glove. Level 1 puncture resistance gloves can protect against thorns and light tools in landscaping, while a 5-rated glove can help construction workers handle nails, screws, and metal fragments.

EN 388: This standard also measures the force needed to puncture the glove's material from a scale from 1 to 4. EN levels represent a range of different forces; for instance, EN level 1 includes all gloves that can withstand 10 N to 19 N.

Puncture Level	Force (Newtons) to Pierce Material	Typical Tasks
Level 1	10 - 19 Newtons	Light material handling, general warehouse work
Level 2	20 - 59 Newtons	Small parts assembly, light-duty construction
Level 3	60 - 99 Newtons	Packaging, moderate material handling
Level 4	100 - 149 Newtons	Sheet metal handling, general industrial work
Level 5	150+ Newtons	Heavy industrial work, high-puncture-risk environments

Abrasion Resistance

ANSI/ISEA 105: Tests for abrasion resistance begin by rubbing the glove against an abrasive surface. Depending on how quickly the glove wears through, it is assigned a rating from 0 to 6, with higher numbers indicating more resistance. Industries that work with materials that wear down gloves quickly, such as metal fabrication or construction, would benefit from abrasive-resistant gloves.

EN 388: This standard uses a scale from 1 to 4, with the test also measuring how long gloves can withstand an abrasive surface.

Abrasion Level	Revolutions to Break Through Material	Typical Tasks
Level 1	100 - 499 revolutions	General material handling, light-duty tasks
Level 2	500 - 999 revolutions	Assembly work, light construction
Level 3	1,000 - 2,999 revolutions	Material handling, packaging, moderate construction
Level 4	3,000 - 9,999 revolutions	Sheet metal handling, heavy-duty assembly
Level 5	10,000 - 19,999 revolutions	High-abrasion environments, frequent abrasion from rough surfaces
Level 6	20,000+ revolutions	Continuous contact with materials like steel, glass, or heavy machinery parts

Impact Resistance

ANSI/ISEA 138: This standard rates gloves on a scale from 1 to 3, with 3 providing the highest impact protection. It measures the glove's ability to withstand an impact to protect a person's hand inside the glove. Automotive and manufacturing workers significantly benefit from these gloves' back-of-palm and finger protection.

EN 388: Impact protection is indicated by the letter 'P' if the glove passes the impact test. The glove is marked with the letter 'X' if it does not.

Impact Level	Impact Protection	Typical Tasks
Level 1	Provides minimal impact protection, designed to reduce the effect of low-impact hazards.	General material handling, light assembly work
Level 2	Offers moderate impact protection, capable of withstanding medium-impact hazards.	Construction, assembly line work, light power tool use
Level 3	Delivers high impact protection, designed for heavy-impact hazards and extreme conditions.	Oil and gas work, heavy machinery operation, high-impact environments

Cut Resistance

Cut Level	Weight (grams) to Cut Through Material	Typical Tasks
A1	200 - 499 grams	General material handling, warehouse work
A2	500 - 999 grams	Small parts assembly, light construction
A3	1,000 - 1,499 grams	Handling sheet metal, assembly line work
A4	1,500 - 2,199 grams	Glass handling, metal fabrication
A5	2,200 - 2,999 grams	Heavy construction, automotive assembly
A6	3,000 - 3,999 grams	High-risk sharp object handling, sheet metal work
A7	4,000 - 4,999 grams	Heavy glass handling, extreme metal work
A8	5,000 - 5,999 grams	Heavy industrial work, sharp metal stamping
A9	6,000+ grams	High-cut hazard environments, extreme metal work

How ANSI and EN Ratings Help

Safety ratings offer a dependable measure to ensure equipment meets or exceeds safety requirements, reducing the risk of workplace injuries. This standardization helps distributors make informed choices and builds trust among workers in the effectiveness of their equipment. ANSI and EN:388 standards promote high-quality materials and innovation, creating a safer and more efficient work environment.

Learn More About ANSI Standards

Impact Resistance

Cut Resistance

Abrasion

Puncture

High Visibility

Updates & Revisions

ANSI and EN:388 safety standards typically change every few years to incorporate the latest safety research and advancements. Staying up to date with these changes is crucial for ensuring that workers receive the most effective protective equipment available. By keeping current with these standards, companies can better manage risks and demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being.