Paper Shredder Security Levels DIN 66399

Which security level do you need for paper shredding?

When you are looking for a new shredder you often see the security level of a paper shredder. For instance P2, P3 or P4. What does the security level mean and why is it important to pay attention on it when you are buying a new shredder machine? On this page we explain the shredder security levels.

strip-cut-cross-cut-micro-cut — Strip-Cut, Cross-Cut and Micro-Cut

The size of the particle

DIN standard - Deutsches Institut für Normung The security levels for paper shredders are part of the official DIN 66399 standard for paper destruction. This standard contains seven security levels which indicates the minimal requirements for the size of the paper particles after shredding a document. These seven levels are DIN P-1, P-2, P-3, P-4, P-5, P-6 and P-7. The higher the number the smaller the size of the particle gets.

For instance when you are looking for high security and want small particles, then you are better of with a P-5 paper shredder than a P-2 paper shredder. That is because the paper particles from a P-5 micro-cut shredder are very small in comparison with the strips of a P-2 strip-cut shredder.

security-levels-strip-cross-micro-cut-shredder-visual

Besides security levels you can also find the cut type of paper shredders. All paper shredders can be devided in three types of paper cuts. These are strip-cut, cross-cut and micro-cut. Below you can see all the security levels from the German DIN 66399 standard for paper destruction:

Strip-cut – Low level of security
Cross-cut – Medium level of security
Micro-cut – High level of security

Security Level: DIN P-1
Strip-cut Paper Shredder

DIN Protection Class: 1
Security rating: Very low
Strip size: < 2,000 mm² / 3.1 in²
Strip width: < 12 mm / 0.47 in
Strip length: Unlimited
After shredding an A4 document: 17.5 strips

Security Level: DIN P-2
Strip-cut Paper Shredder

DIN Protection Class: 1
Security rating: Very low
Strip size: < 800 mm² / 1.24 in²
Strip width: < 6 mm / 0.24 in
Strip length: Unlimited
After shredding an A4 document: 35 strips

Security Level: DIN P-3
Cross-cut Paper Shredder

DIN Protection Class: 1 and 2
Security rating: Medium
Particle size: < 320 mm² / 0.5 in²
Particle width: < 2 mm / 0.08 in
After shredding an A4 document: 195+ particles

Security Level: DIN P-4
Cross-cut Paper Shredder

DIN Protection Class: 2 and 3
Security rating: Medium
Particle size: < 160 mm² / 0.25 in²
Particle width: < 6 mm / 0.24 in
After shredding an A4 document: 390+ particles

Security Level: DIN P-5
Micro-cut Paper Shredder

DIN Protection Class: 2 and 3
Security rating: High
Particle size: < 30 mm² / 0.05 in²
Particle width: < 2 mm / 0.08 in
After shredding an A4 document: 2,079+ particles

Security Level: DIN P-6
Micro-cut Paper Shredder

DIN Protection Class: 3
Security rating: Very high
Particle size: < 10 mm² / 0.02 in²
Particle width: < 1 mm / 0.04 in
After shredding an A4 document: 6,237+ particles

Security Level: DIN P-7
Micro-cut Paper Shredder

DIN Protection Class: 3
Security rating: Extremely high
Particle size: < 5 mm² / 0.01 in²
Particle width: < 1 mm / 0.04 in
After shredding an A4 document: 12,474+ particles

Paper shredder information and recommendations

Which paper shredder is the best shredder for you to buy? Visit our paper shredder page with all the information you need about paper shredders. You can also find recommendations of the best paper shredders you can buy at Amazon.com.

difference-strip-cut-cross-cut-micro-cut-paper-shredder — Paper shredder cut types (source).

Which shredders do we recommend?

For destroying sensitive documents with personal information, medical information, financial information or other confidential information we recommend to make use of a cross-cut shredder or a micro-cut shredder. Read more about these types of paper shredders here:

By Recycling.com/ 21 April 2019 Shares