WHAT IS EN 374:2016?
Protection from chemicals and micro organisms
The EN 374:2016 Standard specifies the capability of gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms.
The standard consists of 5 parts:
EN ISO 374-1:2016 : Terminology and performance requirements for chemical risks
EN 374-2: 2014: Determination of resistance to penetration
EN 374-3: 2003: Substituted by EN 16523-1:2015 : Determination of material resistance to permeation by chemicals
EN 374-4: 2013 : Determination of resistance to degradation by chemicals
EN ISO 374-5: 2016: Terminology and performance requirements for micro-organisms risks (including viruses)
EN ISO 374-1:2016: Terminology and performance requirements for chemical risks
The new standard includes 6 additional chemicals (highlighted in blue in the table below) in addition to the 12 chemicals existing in the 2003 standard:
| Chemical | CAS Number | Class | |
| A | Methanol | 67-56-1 | Primary alcohol |
| B | Acetone | 67-64-1 | Ketone |
| C | Acetonitrile | 75-05-8 | Nitrile compound |
| D | Dichloromethane | 75-09-2 | Chlorinated hydrocarbon |
| E | Carbon disulphide | 75-15-0 | Sulphur containing organic compound |
| F | Toluene | 108-88-3 | Aromatic hydrocarbon |
| G | Diethylamine | 109-89-7 | Amine |
| J | Tetrahydrofuran | 109-99-9 | Heterocyclic and ether compound |
| I | Ethyl acetate | 141-78-6 | Ester |
| J | n-Heptane | 142-85-5 | Saturated hydrocarbon |
| K | Nitric acid 65% | 7697-37-2 | Inorganic mineral acid, oxidizing |
| L | Acetic acid 99% | 64-19-7 | Inorganic mineral acid, oxidizing |
| M | Acetic acid 99% | 64-19-7 | Organic acid |
| N | Ammonium Hydroxide 25% | 1336-21-6 | Organic base |
| P | Hydrogen peroxide 30% | 7722-84-1 | Peroxide |
| S | Hydrogen fluoride 40% | 7664-39-3 | Inorganic mineral acid, contact poison |
| T | Formaldehyde 37% | 50-00-0 | Aldehyde |
Each chemical tested is classified in terms of breakthrough time. Breakthrough is deemed to have occurred when the flow rate of 1μg/cm2/min is reached.
| Measured Breakthrough Time | Performance Level |
| > 10 minutes | Level 1 |
| > 30 minutes | Level 2 |
| > 60 minutes | Level 3 |
| > 120 minutes | Level 4 |
| > 240 minutes | Level 5 |
| > 480 minutes | Level 6 |
Gloves are now separated into 3 classification types based on permeation performance - TYPE A, TYPE B or TYPE C.
The table below lists the performance level and number of chemicals required for each classification type:
| Classification | Minimum Performance Level Required | Minimum Number of Chemicals from the 18 Listed |
| Type A | 2(min 30 minutes BTT | 6 |
| Type B | 2(min 30 minutes BTT | 3 |
| Type C | 1(min 10 minutes BTT) | 1 |
The ‘Iconal flasks’ symbol depicts the permeation performances (minimum level 2 to permeation), with classification Type above and chemical letters underneath (Type A & B only) determining which chemicals the gloves have been tested against.
EN 374-2:2014: Determination of resistance to penetration
A glove is considered to be resistant to micro-organisms if it has successfully undergone the penetration test (air and/or water leak test) and if it meets at least level 2 of the penetration test set out in the AQL table below.
Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is assessed for the Penetration Tests
EN 16523-1:2015: Determination of material resistance to permeation by chemicals
Resistance to permeation is assessed by measuring the length of time it takes for a chemical to permeate the glove’s material.
EN ISO 374-5:2016: Terminology and performance requirements for micro-organisms risks (including viruses)
Part 5 specifies performance requirements for gloves that protect the user against Micro-organisms:
2 classifications now exists:
A. Protection against bacteria and fungi
B. Protection against viruses, bacteria and fungi
