an expert guide /

A summary of the
update to standard
BS EN ISO 374: 2003
Protective Gloves
Against Dangerous
Chemicals and
Micro-organisms

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Introduction Contents
BS EN ISO 374: 2016 Protective Gloves Against Dangerous Chemicals and Micro-organisms Summary of the Main Changes
This European Standard specifies the requirements for safety gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or
micro-organisms and defines terms to be used. Section. Page No EN 374: 2003 Requirements EN 374: 2016 Requirements

Updated Standard List of 12 chemical agents that can be 6 more chemicals have been added making a possible
I 2
Published on 3rd February 2017 the revised standard: EN 374: 2016 supersedes EN 374: 2003. use to test glove performance against 18 chemical agents to test against

Published Standards II 3 Minimum liquid proof length Requirement removed

EN (ISO) 374 Protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms – consists of the following:
• BS EN ISO 374-1: 2016 Terminology and performance requirements for chemical risks
• BS EN 374-2: 2014 Determination of resistance to penetration
III 3 EN 388 mechanical testing Requirement removed
• BS EN 374-4: 2013 Determination of resistance to degradation by chemicals
• BS EN 374-5: 2016 Terminology and performance requirements for micro-organisms risks
• BS EN 16523-1: 2015 Determination of material resistance to permeation by chemicals, under conditions of
Use of the beaker symbol for
continuous contact IV 4 Beaker symbol removed
low chemical protection

Helping Our Customers to Stay Compliant

Conical flask used to indicate that Gloves will now be classified as Type A, B or C being
Our customers tell us that they want us to help them to stay compliant with legislation, therefore as there have been recent V 4 gloves protect against 3 chemicals, tested against 6, 3 or 1 chemical respectively and
changes to glove legislation we have created an Expert Guide to try and explain the differences between the old and revised beaker symbol for penetration only displaying the fuming conical flask symbol.
standards and how you may be affected.

This summary guide highlights which parts of the former EN 374:2003 standard have been changed including which sections EN 374-3:2003 Superseded by
have been added, removed or amended. EN 374-3 Determination of resistance to
VI 4 EN 16523-1: 2015 Determination
permeation by chemicals of material resistance to permeation by chemicals -
New Glove Markings Part 1
In the new standard some of the test procedures remain unchanged while others have been improved. The most notable
change is in relation to BS EN ISO 374-1: 2016 Terminology and performance requirements for chemical risks.
Introduction of EN 374-4: 2013 for a test of glove
VII 4 No requirement
With the new standard, glove classification will be decided based on permeation performance. Gloves will then be classified performance against chemical degradation
as Type A, Type B or Type C being tested against 6, 3 or 1 chemical respectively and displaying the fuming conical flask
symbol (the low chemical beaker symbol will no longer be used).

When Will the Changes Come into Effect? Micro-organism split so that virus risk is a separately
Micro-organism protection based upon performed test according to EN 374-5: 2016,
The new BS EN ISO 374: 2016 standard will affect new products being certified after the publishing date of the new revision VIII 5
penetration performance protection against bacteria/fungi is based upon
(February 2016). penetration performance
Gloves can continue to be sold against both versions of the standard until the effects of the new PPE regulation make
recertification against the latest standard mandatory.

Note: Many existing products will be recertified against the new standard without any manufacturing changes and will then
display the appropriate performance levels and new markings. As in some cases the product codes may change please Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 3 defined AQL levels that gloves must meet or
contact Arco if you wish to continue to use the same product throughout the recertification process. IX 6 level 2 for all gloves tested against exceed depending upon customer requirements or
penetration application

Specialist Safety Advice

If you require support regarding glove use on your site, this may be validation of the current gloves in use, recommendations
for new processes or just help with cost down initiatives. We have a Technical Specialist for gloves available to assist you. To
National Annexes for EN 374-1 and EN 374-5
arrange an appointment please call your local Arco branch.
introduced giving users more information regarding
No additional requirements/information
X 6 the British Standards Committee standpoint and why
to the British standard version
a negative vote was submitted against the
CEN version

2 www.arco.co.uk 3
Overview of the Changes Section I)

BS EN ISO 374-1: 2016 - Terminology and Performance Requirements for Chemical Risks Table 2 – List of Test Chemicals
The first part of the Standard specifies the requirements for protective gloves intended to protect the wearer against A further six test chemicals have been added to the revised standard (shown in the highlighted boxes below) – the number
dangerous chemicals and defines the terms to be used. of test chemicals has been increased from 12 to 18, as shown below.

Code letter Chemical Class

A Methanol Primary alcohol

B Acetone Ketone

C Acetonitrile Nitrile compound

D Dichloromethane Chlorinated hydrocarbon

E Carbon disulphide Sulphur containing organic compound

F Toluene Aromatic hydrocarbon

G Diethylamine Amine

H Tetrahydrofuran Heterocyclic and ether compound

I Ethyl acetate Ester

J n-Heptane Saturated hydrocarbon

K Sodium hydroxide 40% Inorganic base

L Sulphuric acid 96% Inorganic mineral acid, oxidising

M 65% Nitric acid Inorganic mineral acid, oxidising

N 99% Acetic acid Organic acid

Clause 5. Performance Requirements

O Ammonia hydroxide 25% Organic acid
5.4.1 General
Each combination of protective glove and test chemical P 30% hydrogen peroxide Peroxide
shall be classified as per Table 1, using the results given in EN 16523-1:2015 for breakthrough time.
S 40% hydrofluoric acid Inorganic mineral acid, contact poison
Table 1 – Permeation Performance Levels
T 37% formaldehyde Aldehyde

Measured breakthrough time (min) Permeation performance level

Section II) Section III)
>10 1
Clause 5.1 Minimum Liquid Proof Length Clause 5.4: Mechanical Protection
>30 2 The minimum liquid proof length requirement has been
Characteristics
removed for the 2016 version. The 2003 version of this Standard required EN 388 –
>60 3
gloves offering protection against mechanical hazards
>120 4 performance levels to be displayed. The new version of the
Standard has removed this requirement.
>240 5 Note: No minimum performance requirements were
specified in EN 388: 2003 so the impact of removal of this
>480 6
clause is negligible

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Clause 6: Markings
Section IV) Low Chemical Protection EN 374
The beaker symbol has been removed from
the 2016 version and replaced by the same
conical flask icon for all performance levels.

Implications for User

If you are currently using a glove displaying the
beaker symbol for low chemical protection, under
the new revision this could be replaced by a glove
classified as Type C.
The chemical performance levels of the glove will
remain the same, however you should take advice
to ensure the glove is suitable if additional properties
such as dexterity or grip are required. If you would
like to discuss this in more detail, please speak to
your Arco Account Manager.

V) Permeation performance - chemical protective

gloves are classified into three types: type A, type B or type
C according to their permeation performance. The test
chemical(s) shall be taken from the list of test chemicals in
table 2 for classification purposes.

Clause 6.1 - Marking of Type A gloves

Protective gloves that comply with a permeation performance
of at least level 2 (Table 1) against a minimum of six test
chemicals (listed in Table 2), the following pictograms shall be
used with reference to this part of EN 374.
Clause 6.3 - Marking of Type C gloves
EN 374-1:2016 / Type A Clause 6.2 - Marking of Type B gloves Protective gloves that comply with a permeation performance Implications for User
Protective gloves that comply with a permeation performance of at least level 1 (Table 1) against a minimum of one test When replacing gloves marked as chemical
of at least level 2 (Table 1) against a minimum of three test chemical (listed in Table 2), the following pictograms shall be protective under EN 374 revision 2003, you should
used with reference to this part of EN 374. carefully assess the three letters shown under the
chemicals (listed in Table 2), the following pictograms shall
UVWXYZ conical flask symbol to understand the chemicals
be used with reference to this part of EN 374.
and their breakthrough times. You can then ensure
EN 374-1:2016 / Type C
that and gloves certified under the new 2016 revision
The six tested chemicals shall be identified by their code EN 374-1:2016 / Type B provide the same level of protection.
letter (as shown in Table 2) which shall be marked under the
Generally, any 2016 revision Type B glove claiming
pictogram as shown. If other chemicals not present in the
Z the same list of chemicals and breakthrough times as
list have been tested, information about the performance an EN 374-3 2003 certified product will offer at least
levels shall be provided in the user instructions. XYZ
equivalent protection.
The tested chemical shall be identified by its code letter
Gloves classified as Type A under the new revision
The three tested chemicals shall be identified by their code (Table 2) which shall be marked under the pictogram as
offer protection against a larger list of chemicals (six
letter (Table 2) which shall be marked under the pictogram shown. If other chemicals not present in the list have been chemicals with a >30-minute breakthrough time).
as shown. If other chemicals not present in the list have tested, information about the performance levels shall be
provided in the user instructions. You should not automatically assume a Type A glove
been tested, information about the performance levels shall
will offer better protection then a Type B in any given
be provided in the user instructions. Note: Type C gloves offer lower levels of protection in terms application. For example, a Type B glove may offer
of breakthrough time as well as for only one test chemical, protection against a specific chemical hazard or at
Type C gloves are designed to be for low chemical risks. a higher breakthrough level than another product
classified as Type A.

6 www.arco.co.uk 7
 Clause 6 Marking

Clause 6.1 General

Marking protective gloves against micro-organisms shall be
in accordance with the marking requirement for protective
gloves in EN 420.

Clause 6.2 Marking of Gloves Protecting

Against Bacteria and Fungi

EN 374-5:2016

For gloves protecting against bacteria and fungi complying

with the requirements stated in Clause 5.2 the pictogram
displayed above shall be used with reference to this part of
EN 374.

Clause 6.3 Marking of Gloves Protecting

Against Viruses, Bacteria and Fungi
EN 374-5:2016

Section VI) EN 16523-1:2015 (supersedes Section VII) EN 374 – 4: 2013 - Determination

EN 374-3 2003) - Determination of Material of Resistance to Degradation by Chemicals
Resistance to Permeation by Chemicals The new European Standard specifies the test method Section VIII) BS EN ISO 374-5: 2016 -
VIRUS

Permeation is a process by which a chemical moves through for the determination of the resistance of protective glove Terminology and Performance Requirements
materials to degradation by dangerous chemicals with For gloves protecting against viruses, bacteria and fungi
the glove on a molecular level where several parameters for Micro-organisms Risks
(absorption, diffusion, desorption) are concerned. Each continuous contact. In some cases, a glove may offer the complying with the requirements stated in Clauses 5.2 and
This part of EN 374 specifies the requirements and test 5.3 the above pictogram shall be used with reference to this
situation chemical/PPE material will have a specific defined level of protection for a limited time due to the glove
methods for protective gloves intended to protect the user part of EN 374.
permeation rate over time. materials being affected by the chemical hazard, over time.
against micro-organisms such as bacteria, virus or fungi.
Other tests used to evaluate chemical resistance such as
permeation resistance and penetration resistance may
Clause 4 Test Principles not provide sufficient information on the physical property
Clause 5.1 General Requirements
Implications for User
The resistance of a protective glove material to permeation changes affecting a glove during exposure to a chemical Protective gloves against micro-organism risks shall
over time. comply with the requirements given in EN 420: 2003 Virus protection is now assessed separately under
by liquid chemical is determined by measuring the
the new 2016 revision and gloves requiring this
normalized breakthrough time (NBT) of a chemical through (Protective gloves general requirements).
protective element should display the markings
the glove material. In the permeation test apparatus,
shown in clause 6.3 (EN 374-5).
the glove material separates the test chemical from the Clause 4 Test Principles
collecting medium. The collecting medium, which can be Clause 5.2 Penetration
The resistance of a protective glove material to degradation
a gas, a liquid or a solid, is analysed quantitatively for its Protective gloves against virus, bacteria and fungi shall not
by a liquid chemical is determined by measuring the
concentration of the chemical and thereby the amount of leak when tested according to EN 374-2: 2014 (this standard
puncture resistance change of the glove material before and
that chemical that has permeated the barrier as a function uses both an air and water leak test), if a glove passes these
after continuous contact with the challenge test chemical.
of time. The basic principles of this method have remained tests it can claim protection against bacteria and fungi.
the same however some modifications to the testing method Note: It is mandatory to perform this test for each chemical
have been made. claimed on the product marking.
Clause 5.3 Protection Against Viruses
Any observations of changes in the physical appearance of
the material specimens following chemical exposure such as Protective gloves claiming protection against viruses
swelling, shrinking, brittleness, hardening, softening, flaking, shall additionally be tested according to ISO 16604: 2004
disintegration, colour change, colour bleeding, delaminating (Clothing for protection against contact with blood and
are reported. body fluids – determination of resistance of protective
There is no minimum requirement for degradation clothing materials to penetration by blood-borne pathogens)
performance but the results of the tests must be reported in and shall exhibit no detectable transfer (<PFU/ml) of the
the user information. Phi-X174 bacteriophage through the glove material.

8 www.arco.co.uk 9
 Updates to standard EN 388
Protective Gloves Against
Mechanical Risks, find out
what the changes mean
to you.
We’ve created a summary to
guide you through the changes
For more information or to download our new
brochure please visit www.arco.co.uk/hands

Section IX) Quality Control of Chemical/

Micro-organism Protective Gloves
Section X) National Annexes
Safer hazard
control
When standards are drafted through European committees
In EN 374-1: 2003 Clause 5.2.2 an acceptable quality level (CEN) they are given the title of an EN standard. CEN
(AQL) was defined for the penetration test, this was defined committees are made up of representative bodies from
as the number of gloves that must be sampled in a given several EU countries. The BSI (British Standards Institution)
batch and the pass rate of those tested. This was previously is the UK’s representative on the European committee and
mandatory as an AQL of level 2. The 2016 requirements have a vote on whether a standard is deemed appropriate.

Arco Training and

allow three defined AQL levels with level 3 being the most
The BSI committee issued a negative vote to publish the
stringent.
EN 374-1: 2016 and EN 374-5: 2016 standards as it felt

Consultancy
Note: AQL levels can be agreed between purchaser and that there were certain issues within the standards that still
seller as long as they meet or exceed the specified levels in needed addressing. This vote was overruled by a majority
the standard vote from other EU countries and so BSI was obliged to
issue the British Standard version of the documents with UK
national annexes.
Control of Substances Hazardous
The British version of EN 374-1: 2016 and EN 374-5: 2016
contain National Annexes that surmise why a negative to Health (COSHH), Dangerous
vote was issued and contains advisory information that UK
notified bodies should consider when issuing certification to Substances and Explosive
this standard. An example of this advisory information is to
test the cuffs that extend onto the lower arm, for the same
Atmospheres (DSEAR) and Spill
chemical/virus protection tests as the palm. The EU version Containment and Control
states this is only necessary if chemical protection is claimed
in the cuff area, the BSI committee argues that testing
should not be based upon marketing claims but based on
foreseeable use.
For more information or to download
our new brochure please visit
www.arco.co.uk/hazardcontrol

10 www.arco.co.uk 11
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