BS EN ISO 374 – Protective Gloves against Chemicals and Microorganisms
Testing is required for Disposable Examination Gloves to validate their safety when in contact with Chemicals and Microorganisms and / or viruses. For each Glove type there is a clear indication of the chemicals and / or Microorganisms that the Gloves will protect against.
BS EN ISO 374 has several parts. The following parts are relevant for chemical protective gloves:
- Part 1: Terminology and performance requirements for chemical risks.
- Part 2: Determination of resistance to penetration
- Part 3: Determination of resistance to permeation by chemicals has been superseded by BS EN 16523-1:2015 A1: 2018 and is no longer in use.
- Part 4: Determination of resistance to degradation by chemicals
- Part 5: Terminology and performance requirements for Micro-organisms risks
Users will see symbols on pack, which show what the Glove is suitable for. The advantage for users is that it is very clear what chemicals have been tested and what the glove will protect against, giving transparent information for the users to choose their best Glove option.
BS EN ISO 374-1 Terminology and performance requirements for chemical risks.
Testing is conducted externally, with gloves being subjected to a series of chemicals. Test results are shown on pack by the Pictogram, Classes and Letters describe how effectively the Glove protects against chemicals during testing:
The letter symbols are given in the table below. The aim of the test is to cover as many types of chemical as possible in the test to ensure safety.
|
Letter Symbol |
Test Chemical |
CAS no. |
Class |
|
A |
Methanol |
67-56-1 |
Primary Alcohol |
|
B |
Acetone |
67-64-1 |
Ketone |
|
C |
Acetonitrile |
75-05-8 |
Nitrile |
|
D |
Dichloromethane |
75-09-2 |
Chloronated Hydrocarbon |
|
E |
Carbon Disulfide |
75-15-0 |
Sulfur containing Organic Compound |
|
F |
Toluene |
108-88-3 |
Aromatic Hydrocarbon |
|
G |
Diethylamine |
109-89-7 |
Amine |
|
H |
Tetrahydrofuran |
109-99-9 |
Heterocyclic and ether compounds |
|
I |
Ethyl Acetate |
141-78-6 |
Ester |
|
J |
n-Heptane |
14282-5 |
Aliphatic Hydrocarbon |
|
K |
Sodium Hydroxide, 40% |
1310-73-2 |
Inorganic Base |
|
L |
Sulfuric Acid, 96% |
7664-93-9 |
Inorganic Acid, Oxidising |
|
M |
Nitric Acid, 65% |
7697-37-2 |
Inorganic Acid, Oxidising |
|
N |
Acetic Acid, 99% |
64-19-7 |
Organic Acid |
|
O |
Ammonia Water, 25% |
1336-21-6 |
Organic Base |
|
P |
Hydrogen Peroxide, 30% |
7722-84-1 |
Peroxide |
|
S |
Hydrofluronic Acid, 40% |
7664-39-3 |
Inorganic Acid |
|
T |
Formaldehyde, 37% |
50-00-0 |
Aldehyde |
BS EN ISO 374-2 Determination of resistance to penetration
This test involves an air and water leak tests. The standard publishes strict AQL limits that the glove manufacturer must comply with during routine Quality Control.
BS EN ISO 374-3:2003 Determination of resistance to permeation by chemicals - PART WITHDRAWN
Replaced by test method BS EN 16523-1:2015 A1:2018 ‘Determination of material resistance to permeation by chemicals. Part 1: Permeation by liquid chemical under conditions of continuous contact’.
BS EN ISO 374-4 :2013 Determination of resistance to degradation by chemicals
A mandatory test for all gloves that offer chemical protection. The puncture resistance of the glove material is measured after continuous contact of its external surface with a challenge chemical.
BS EN ISO 374-5: Terminology and performance requirements for Micro-organisms risks
|
Classification |
Meaning |
Symbol |
|
a. Protection against bacteria and fungi |
The gloves have been tested and passed against bacteria and fungi, but not Viruses |
|
|
b. Protection against viruses, bacteria and fungi |
The gloves have been tested and passed against bacteria, fungi and Viruses |
|
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