One of the important standards that is used for our nitrile gloves is EN 374. You will find the most important information on this below
EN 374 is the European standard for protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms.
It defines the basic criteria and properties that a disposable glove must meet in order to protect the user against chemicals and / or microorganisms. In addition to specific product properties, this also includes labeling criteria such as warning notices and pictograms for quick and easy assignment.
Until 2016, EN 374 consisted of 4 parts and was then expanded to 5 parts. As a result, EN 16523-1 replaced EN 374-1.
Type A protective gloves were tested for at least 6 test chemicals and the test for permeation was withstood for at least 30 minutes
Type B protective gloves were tested for at least 3 test chemicals and the test for permeation was withstood for at least 30 minutes
Type C protective gloves were tested for at least 1 test chemical and the test for permeation was withstood for at least 30 minutes
The first part of EN 374 defines the terms and basic performance requirements for protection against chemicals. Since 2016, the declaration and representation has been made using 3 pictograms to categorize membership in classes A, B and C. The individual letters under the pictograms according to type A or B indicate the test chemicals with which the permeation was tested.
There are 18 different chemicals available, which are listed by means of code letters below the pictogram.
In addition to the definitions and basic properties, EN 374-1 also defines which warning notices must be included in user instructions
Part 2 of EN 374 defines the resistance of protective gloves to penetration and the corresponding test methods.
As part of a standardized test, a test for leakage against water and air is carried out and, based on this, their tightness is assessed. Until 2016, this resistance was shown with a separate pictogram. This no longer applies in the new version of EN 374-2.
The fourth part of EN 374-4 deals with the question of whether and to what extent the mechanical-physical properties of a protective glove change when it comes into contact with the chemicals listed.
This change can mean, for example, the elasticity, tear resistance or more. In the course of the test, not only changes that occur during contact with the chemical are taken into account, but also those changes that persist after direct contact.
With this standard, manufacturers and users can better assess whether and for how long a protective glove can be used for use with the desired chemicals.
The fifth part of EN 374 defines the terms and requirements for protective gloves against microorganisms.
The detailed test refers to ISO 16604, with which the test is carried out with a bacteriophage (Phi-X-174).
Gloves that successfully pass this test can also be used to protect against viruses.
It is shown with a separate pictogram and the words "VIRUS"
The original third part of EN 374 was deleted in 2016 and replaced by EN 16523-1.
This examines the resistance of gloves to the permeation of chemicals. The changes in relation to EN 374-3 include, for example:
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