Protective gloves are a vital piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) across industries where workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals and biological risks. To ensure that gloves offer reliable protection, they must meet strict testing and certification standards. One of the most widely recognized benchmarks is EN374, the European standard that defines the requirements for protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and microorganisms.

This article provides an in-depth look at the EN374 standard, including the individual parts such as EN374-1, EN374-4, and EN374-5, and what they mean for glove performance.

EN374 Overview

The EN374 series sets the criteria for gloves designed to protect against chemical risks and biological hazards. It evaluates:

• Resistance to permeation and penetration of chemicals
• Resistance to material degradation from chemicals
• Protection against microorganisms

The standard helps employers, safety managers, and end users choose the right glove for specific tasks, ensuring both safety and compliance.

EN374-1: Terminology and Performance Requirements

EN374-1:2016 specifies the terminology and performance requirements for chemical protection. It introduces three glove performance categories: Type A, Type B, and Type C.

Testing Chemicals

To be certified, gloves are tested against a list of 18 reference chemicals defined by the standard. Each chemical represents a broader group of substances.

Classification of Gloves

Gloves are categorized based on how many chemicals they resist for at least 30 minutes (permeation level 2 or higher):

• Type A: Resistant to at least 6 chemicals
• Type B: Resistant to at least 3 chemicals
• Type C: Resistant to at least 1 chemical

The chemical code letters (e.g., A, K, L) must be displayed on the glove or packaging so users know exactly which chemicals have been tested and approved.

EN374-2: Resistance to Penetration

EN374-2:2014 describes how gloves are tested for resistance to penetration, that is, the ability of a glove to prevent chemicals, liquids, or microorganisms from passing through pinholes, seams, or imperfections in the glove material. Unlike permeation (which tests molecular breakthrough), penetration testing checks for physical leakage.

The Testing Methods

There are two standard test methods used:

1. Air Leak Test
   • The glove is filled with air and submerged in water.
   • Any visible bubbling indicates air escaping through pinholes, seams, or defects.
   • This is an effective method for detecting small leaks that compromise protection.
2. Water Leak Test
   • The glove is filled with a defined volume of water.
   • The glove is then suspended and observed for any water droplets forming on the outside.
   • This test is simple but effective in identifying small punctures or weaknesses in the glove material.

Why It Matters

Even if a glove has excellent chemical permeation resistance, a microscopic hole could render it useless. EN374-2 ensures the integrity of the glove as a barrier and provides assurance that the manufacturing process is consistent and reliable.

EN374-4: Resistance to Degradation

While permeation tests measure how quickly chemicals can pass through glove material, degradation testing under EN374-4:2013 evaluates how contact with a chemical physically alters the glove.

What is Degradation?

Degradation refers to the observable changes in a glove’s material when exposed to a chemical. This can include:

• Swelling or shrinking
• Cracking
• Brittleness
• Softening
• Colour change
• Loss of flexibility

How the Test Works

• A puncture resistance test is performed before and after exposure to the test chemical.
• The change in performance is recorded as a percentage degradation rating.
• A higher percentage means the glove material has weakened more after chemical contact.

Why It Matters

A glove may show good permeation resistance yet still fail in real-world use if the material breaks down physically. EN374-4 ensures users know how durable gloves will be when exposed to hazardous substances for extended periods. This is crucial in industries like chemical manufacturing, agriculture, and laboratory work where workers may handle strong acids, solvents, or caustic agents for long durations.

EN374-5: Protection Against Microorganisms

EN374-5:2016 focuses on the glove’s ability to protect against biological hazards, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Scope of the Standard

• Bacteria and Fungi: All gloves claiming EN374-5 protection must pass the penetration test using the same method as EN374-2 (air and water leak tests).
• Viruses: To carry the additional “VIRUS” marking, gloves must pass the ISO 16604:2004 test (method B), which challenges gloves with the Phi-X174 bacteriophage, a small virus used to simulate viral penetration.

Pictogram Markings

• Gloves protecting against bacteria and fungi only will carry the EN374-5 pictogram
• Gloves proven resistant to viruses as well will carry the same pictogram but with “VIRUS” beneath it.

Importance in Industry

This part of the standard is especially critical in:

• Healthcare and medical environments (protection against bloodborne pathogens)
• Laboratories and research facilities (biological agents and infectious materials)
• Waste management and cleaning sectors (handling contaminated materials)

By meeting EN374-5, gloves provide assurance that workers are shielded not only from chemicals but also from the invisible threat of microorganisms.

Why Gloves Commonly Display Only EN374-1 and EN374-5

It is important to understand why chemical-resistant gloves typically show compliance with EN374-1 and EN374-5, but not with EN374-2 or EN374-4, despite all four parts of the standard being relevant.

EN374-2 (penetration) and EN374-4 (degradation) are considered supporting tests rather than front-facing classifications. They are mandatory components of the certification process but are not usually displayed on the glove itself. EN374-2 is a prerequisite: a glove must demonstrate that it is free from pinholes before it can qualify for certification under EN374-1 or EN374-5. Similarly, EN374-4 assesses how chemical exposure physically alters the glove material, and while the results are essential, they are recorded in technical documentation rather than expressed through a pictogram or a simple performance type. For this reason, when a glove is marked with EN374-1 or EN374-5, users can assume that it has already passed EN374-2, and that EN374-4 data is available in the supporting documentation.

Why EN374 Compliance Matters

EN374-certified gloves provide peace of mind that the product has undergone rigorous testing and is suitable for handling specific risks. For employers, compliance means meeting workplace safety obligations under health and safety regulations. For workers, it means confidence in the protection provided during daily tasks.

When selecting gloves:

• Always check the EN374 markings on the product.
• Verify the glove type (A, B, or C) and the chemical codes.
• Consider both chemical resistance and mechanical durability for the application.