Introducing the new standard for protective gloves

Regulations for gloves that protect against dangerous chemicals and microorganisms have changed. The new EN ISO 374 standard refines the required capabilities for gloves that protect workers whose hands are subject to chemical and/or microorganism exposure.

It introduces six new common workplace chemicals to the list of common industrial chemicals and defines three new levels of glove performance against chemical permeation which are identified by new markings and requirements:

• EN ISO 374-1/ Type C: more than 10 min protection from permeation of at least one chemical from the list.
• EN ISO 374-1/ Type B: more than 30 min protection from permeation of at least three chemicals from the list.
• EN ISO 374-1/ Type A: more than 30 min protection from permeation of at least six chemicals from the list.

The updated standard also calls for a new viral penetration test. If a glove passes this extra test, the word “virus” will be added under the microorganism pictogram.