What is BNQ Certification and ANSI Cut Levels for Hockey Neck Guards?

When it comes to ice hockey, neck guards are a vital part of a player's equipment setup. They are designed to give players 360-degree coverage of the neck to greatly reduce the chances of having a laceration caused by a skate blade. They come in many different styles and performance levels, yet your hockey league may require you to have a BNQ-certified neck guard. Any neck guard that comes with a BNQ certification stamp means that it has met strict testing and manufacturing standards specifically related to a skate blade coming in contact with the neck guard.

The Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) is an independent organization that offers certification in various areas including products, services, skills, processes, and management systems. BNQ is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, which means they are recognized as a reliable party to certify businesses and their practices. BNQ auditors have solid training and are knowledgeable individuals who are very familiar with the area to which the certification application applies, in this case, hockey neck guards.

In the Hockey Canada Rulebook, Rule 3.6 (c) states: The wearing of a BNQ-certified throat protector is required for players registered in minor and female hockey. Canadian Minor Hockey is described as amateur hockey played by individuals 20 years old and younger. Regardless of your hockey league and level of play, any male and female player under the age of 20 in Canada must wear a BNQ-certified hockey neck guard.

As of August 01, 2024, USA Hockey will require the use of neck laceration protection for players in all age classifications, which are players 20 years old and younger. It also applies to on-ice officials under the age of 18. USA Hockey will currently not require a BNQ-certified neck protector, but one that is commercially designed and manufactured for hockey. They recommend choosing a neck laceration protector that covers as much of the exposed neck area as possible and is worn properly without alteration. Choosing a BNQ-certified neck guard is a great way to tick all the boxes.

After a hockey neck guard has received BNQ certification, the company must adhere to the standards of the test results, manufacturing process, and design details. If one wishes to change anything in regards to the neck guard's materials, shape, or other details, they must go through the testing procedure again for re-certification. BNQ also issues maintenance and recertification audits set within a maximum limit of 12 months starting on the first day of the initial certification audit. This ensures companies adhere to the certification requirements and to obtain an up-to-date certificate.

The ANSI Scale categorizes cut-resistant products into varying levels of protection based on how well they performed in a specific cut test carried out by the American National Standards Institute, also known as ANSI. While BNQ provides certification, ANSI develops and oversees safety and performance standards for various industries in the United States, including cut-resistant material.

One of their many standards is the ANSI Cut Resistant Standard, which ranges in protection levels from A1 to A9, with A9 offering the highest cut protection. Cut-resistant materials are measured using a Tomodynamometer Machine (TDM-100) and the test is based on the ASTM F2992-15 Standard. The objective of this test is to measure how much force, in grams, is needed to cut through a fabric. The result, in grams of force, provides the ANSI cut-resistant level, which can help you compare cut ratings between products. The more grams of force needed to cut through the fabric provides a higher level of protection. For comparison, a standard thick cotton foot sock has an ANSI Level of A1 with 433g of force needed to cut through.

The NHL and NHLPA collaborated to incorporate standardized testing requirements for any cut-resistant gear submitted for clearance for use in the NHL. They have provided a list of cut-resistant products that have been tested and cleared for use in the NHL which can be seen in the charts below. Each product was tested in an ASTM-accredited laboratory in accordance with the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 Standard, which incorporates the ASTM F2992-15 Standard using a TDM-100 testing machine.

Disclaimer from the NHL and NHLPA: These test results are presented for informational purposes only, to allow you to compare the relative performance of the products. The results do not measure or predict injury risk and do not necessarily reflect how the tested products will perform in use, as there may be other considerations associated with injury or on-ice performance that were not part of the testing protocol. In addition, other factors may be important in player selection of protective equipment, such as position, style of play and injury history, as well as equipment fit and performance. Players, in consultation with Club personnel, shall make independent decisions regarding cut resistant product selection. Neither the NHL nor the NHLPA assume responsibility for Player product choices. The NHL and NHLPA do not endorse or recommend any one particular cut resistant product tested over another.

What does BNQ certification mean for hockey neck guards?
Any hockey neck guard with the BNQ certification stamp means it has met strict testing and manufacturing safety standards specifically related to a skate blade coming in contact with the neck guard. BNQ-certified neck guards are required in Canadian Minor Hockey.

Are all BNQ-certified neck guards the same?
No. While all BNQ-certified neck guards have met the minimum safety and manufacturing standards to become certified, products vary in cut protection levels, comfort, and fit.

How does BNQ certification differ from ANSI cut-resistance ratings?
BNQ is a certification process that approves a hockey neck guard to be worn in Canadian Minor Hockey Leagues. BNQ does not provide a specific protection level. ANSI cut-resistance rating is the protection level of the material after going through the ANSI Cut Resistant Test using the TDM-100 machine based on the ASTM F2992-15 Standard. The ANSI scale can help you compare protection levels between cut-resistant gear.

How do I know if a hockey neck guard is BNQ-certified?
The BNQ-certification logo while be on the product itself and it's packaging. This stamp signifies the hockey neck guard has met the criteria for BNQ approval.

Are BNQ-certified neck guards mandatory in hockey?
They are currently only mandatory in Canadian Minor Hockey Leagues, which is any male or female player under the age of 20 in Canada.

Does BNQ certification include cut-resistance testing?
Yes, BNQ applies a cut-resistance test to the fabric of the hockey neck guard. It is either a pass or a fail.

Are all BNQ-certified neck guards tested under NHL safety standards?
No, not all BNQ-certified neck guards are specifically tested under NHL safety standards. For NHL-specific use, the neck guard must be cleared for use under the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 Standard.

What are the benefits of choosing a hockey neck guard with both BNQ certification and a high ANSI rating?
Choosing a BNQ-certified neck guard with a high ANSI rating will provide some of the best protection and coverage possible against skate lacerations.

Does BNQ certification apply to youth hockey neck guards?
In Canada, yes, it applies to any hockey neck guard worn on players under 20 years old.

Are BNQ-certified neck guards required for professional hockey players?
No, professional hockey players are not required to wear a BNQ-certified neck guard. However, they are highly encouraged to wear one.

What is an ANSI Cut Rating?
It is a standardized measurement used to determine the level of cut resistance of a material. The result of the test places the material on a scale from A1 to A9, with A9 offering the most amount of cut resistance.

How are ANSI Cut Rating levels determined for hockey gear?
Cut protective hockey gear follows the ASTM F2992-15 Standard, which is set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This standard is applied to any product that provides cut resistance.

What's the highest level of ANSI Cut Rating?
A9 is the highest protection level on the ANSI Cut Rating scale. Any product that provides 6,000g+ of cut resistance in the ASTM F2992-15 Standard is categorized as A9 protection.

What is the recommended level of ANSI Cut Rating for hockey?
It depends on your level of play but we recommend ANSI Cut Level A3 protection a baseline for recreational to competitive hockey. For the elite level skater or players seeking a higher level of protection, we recommend a product with an ANSI Cut Level A6 and up.

What's the most cut resistant hockey neck guard?
Based on the NHL cleared for use list, the Pro-Tected Cut Resistant Neck Guard offers the highest protection level, with an ANSI rating of A9.

Why are cut-resistant neck guards important in hockey?
As a vital part of the human body and an area that can be prone to skate lacerations, hockey neck guards are an extremely important piece of protective equipment. They drastically reduce the chances of serious laceration injures.

For more information on the different types of neck guard styles including how to size a hockey neck guard, visit our additional learning center pages by using the buttons below.