EN374 Standard Chemical protection
Understanding the EN374-2016 standard
The EN374-2016 standard defines a glove’s level of chemical protection. To comply with this standard, a glove must pass 3 tests:
Resistance to air and water penetration according to the EN374-2:2014 standard. To carry out this test, the glove is pressurised with air and then filled with water. The glove must not leak.
Permeation test (measuring elapsed time) according to EN16523-1:2015. This test is performed by measuring the time it takes for the tested chemicals to permeate from the outside to the inside of the glove.
Video by Respirex
Permeation test
- Resistance to degradation according to EN374-4:2013. To carry out this test, a puncture test (see EN388) is carried out before and after the glove surface has been in contact with the tested product for 1 hour. The difference between the pressure needed to puncture the sample before and after provides a degradation index for this specific glove and product combination.
The EN374 standard exists in 3 different types (A, B and C) depending on the number of chemicals successfully tested for permeation from a list of 18 products:
 |
 |
 |
1st digit : Type A
Type A gloves score a permeation time greater than 30 min for at least 6 of the chemicals tested.
2nd digit: Type B
Type B gloves score a permeation time greater than 30 min for at least 3 of the chemicals tested.
3rd digit: Type C
Type C gloves score a permeation time greater than 10 minutes for at least 1 chemical tested.
The test list consists of 18 hazardous chemicals. Based on type, chemicals must be selected from this list:
| Code | Chemical | Class |
| A | Methanol | Primary alcohol |
| B | Acetone | Ketone |
| C | Acetonitrile | Nitrile compound |
| D | Dichloromethane | Chlorinated hydrocarbon |
| E | Carbon disulphide | Sulphide-containing-organic compound |
| F | Toluene | Aromatic hydrocarbon |
| G | Diethylamine | Amine |
| H | Tetrahydrofuran | Heterocyclic etheric compound |
| I | Ethyl acetate | Ester |
| J | n-Heptane | Saturated hydrocarbon |
| K | Sodium hydroxide | Inorganic base |
| L | Sulfuric acid 96% | Inorganic mineral acid, oxidant |
| M | Nitric acid 65% | Inorganic mineral acid, oxidant |
| N | Acetic acid 99% | Organic acid |
| O | 25% Ammonia | Inorganic base |
| P | Hydrogen peroxide 30% | Peroxide |
| S | Hydrofluoric acid 40% | Organic mineral acid |
| T | Formaldehyde 37% | Aldehyde |
The EN374-5:2016 standard highlights protective gloves against micro-organisms. To meet this standard, the gloves must pass the permeation test according to EN374-2. Virus protection can be claimed if the glove passes the 16604:2004 test.
Against bacteria and fungi
For gloves offering protection against bacteria and fungi.
Against bacteria, fungi and viruses
For gloves offering protection against bacteria, fungi and viruses.