Overview
EN ISO 374-1:2016 - "Protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms - Part 1" defines terminology and the performance requirements for protective gloves intended to guard users against dangerous chemicals. Prepared by CEN in alignment with ISO 374-1:2016, this standard sets the framework for sampling, testing and marking of chemical-protective gloves and clarifies key concepts such as permeation, penetration and degradation. It does not replace other specific performance standards for mechanical, thermal or electrostatic risks - those must be applied in addition as needed.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Terminology: Clear definitions for terms used across glove testing and certification (e.g., dangerous chemicals, protective glove material, permeation, penetration, degradation).
- Sampling rules: Procedures for selecting test specimens (e.g., palm area or cuff) to ensure representative testing for permeation, penetration and degradation.
- Performance requirements:
- Penetration resistance (EN 374-2 referenced): detection of leaks, seams and pinholes on a non-molecular level.
- Degradation assessment (EN 374-4 referenced): evaluation of material changes after chemical exposure (swelling, embrittlement, discoloration, etc.).
- Permeation testing (EN 16523-1 referenced): laboratory determination of chemical breakthrough at the molecular level under continuous contact.
- Glove types A, B and C: classification based on permeation performance against specified test chemicals (standard provides criteria for each type).
- Marking and information: Mandatory marking conventions for Type A/B/C gloves and manufacturer information requirements to support safe selection and use.
Applications and users
EN ISO 374-1:2016 is intended for:
- PPE manufacturers - to design, test and label chemically protective gloves and ensure compliance.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to perform standardized permeation, penetration and degradation tests and to classify gloves as Type A/B/C.
- Procurement specialists, safety managers and end-users - to select appropriate gloves for chemical handling in laboratories, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, cleaning services and other industrial or healthcare settings.
- Regulators and compliance officers - to reference harmonized requirements when assessing conformity to PPE directives.
Related standards
- EN 374-2:2014 - Determination of resistance to penetration
- EN 374-4:2013 - Determination of resistance to degradation by chemicals
- EN 16523-1:2015 - Permeation by liquid chemicals (continuous contact)
- EN 420:2009 - General requirements and test methods for protective gloves
- ISO 374-5 - Performance requirements for micro-organism risks
EN ISO 374-1:2016 is essential when specifying chemical-resistant gloves and forms the baseline for labeling, testing and selecting PPE for chemical hazards.
