In conjunction with several safety companies – including HexArmor® – the ANSI/ISEA 105 hand protection standard was revised in November 2024 by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA).  

Previous glove labeling systems varied significantly between manufacturers, creating confusion for users trying to compare safety performance across brands. This latest revision addresses a key industry need: consistent, easy-to-understand glove labeling across manufacturers. 

The 2024 update introduces a universal labeling system for cut, puncture, and abrasion resistance, making glove selection faster, simpler, and more reliable. As a leader in safety innovation, we’re here to dive into the details so you don’t have to. 

What is ANSI/ISEA 105? 

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a non-profit organization that develops and promotes national standards for a wide range of industries. Its voluntary standards help ensure that products perform consistently and safely.  

The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) is a standards-developing organization that focuses on personal protective equipment (PPE), while ANSI is the accrediting body that oversees the development and approval of American National Standards, including those developed by ISEA. 

In essence, ISEA creates the standards, and ANSI ensures they are developed through a transparent, consensus-based process 

The ANSI/ISEA 105 standard specifically covers hand protection, providing guidelines that help manufacturers design gloves and arm guards – and help users select appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) – based on tested protection levels. 

Hand protection includes gloves, sleeves, arm coverings, and finger guards designed to shield workers from workplace hazards.  

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 71% of hand and arm injuries could be prevented with proper PPE use. Yet 70% of workers don’t wear hand protection, and 30% of those who do aren’t wearing the right type for the task. 

What are the ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 standard updates? 

In short, the biggest change in the updated standard is product labeling. The 2024 standard introduces a new pentagon badge system that will display a glove’s ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 cut, puncture, and abrasion ratings.  

The system is designed to simplify how manufacturers communicate glove performance levels in three key areas: cut, puncture, and abrasion resistance. 

Before this update, manufacturers used their own shields and symbols to convey scores. Now, no matter the brand, workers and safety managers will see the same badge layout, allowing for quicker, more confident glove selection.

How to read the ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 pictogram markings 

The new pentagon specifies where each glove rating is positioned as well. This standardization aims to make it faster and easier to identify key protection levels for users. 

• Cut resistance level: Located at the top right of the pentagon, this rating tells you how well the glove resists cuts ranging from A1 (light protection) to A9 (maximum protection).  
• Puncture resistance level: Located on the right side of the pentagon, this number indicates a glove’s resistance to puncture, from 0 (lowest) to 5 (highest).  
• Abrasion resistance level: Found on the left, this number reflects a glove’s durability against wear, abrasion, and degradation. 
• An ‘X’ can be applied in place of a rating to indicate the classification was not tested or is not applicable 

HexTip: A quick look at cut resistance levels 

With such a large range in cut resistance, here’s a refresh in the different levels offered and suggested applications for each level.  

Conductive heat gloves: Standalone pictogram

 For gloves that meet ANSI/ISEA 105-2024's conductive heat requirements, a standalone pictogram will still be used, allowing for easy identification of gloves designed for specific thermal protection. 

Why these changes matter 

The 2024 updates are designed to enhance clarity, simplify PPE selection, and improve workplace safety. 

By standardizing how glove protection is communicated, workers can quickly recognize the protection they need, helping to increase compliance and close the gap between PPE requirements and PPE usage. 

When workers trust the glove, they are given – and clearly understand its capabilities – they are more likely to wear it consistently, leading to fewer injuries and a stronger overall safety culture. 

How HexArmor® can help 

As a member of the ISEA, we continually strive to stay at the forefront of industry knowledge and keep up on industry trends. Per this update, we will be rolling out with updated glove labels that align with the new pictogram.  

Let us know if you need help or are ready to start a trial – our Solution Specialists are ready to help. Call 1.877.MY ARMOR or send us a message.