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A chemical-resistant glove can look intact while a substance passes through its material. That is why appearance, thickness and the word “nitrile” are not enough to make a safe purchasing decision.
EN 374 chemical-resistant gloves use standardised tests and markings to communicate protective performance. However, the marking is a starting point—not permission to handle every chemical or wear the glove for an entire shift.
For PPE buyers, safety managers and distributors, the most important question is specific: does this exact glove provide suitable protection against the chemical, concentration and exposure conditions of the job? This guide explains how to read the evidence and turn it into a practical selection process.
What EN 374 means
“EN 374” is commonly used as shorthand for the standards addressing gloves for chemical and micro-organism risks. Chemical-performance markings commonly refer to EN ISO 374-1. Other parts and associated test methods address different aspects of protection.
| Reference | What it helps assess |
|---|---|
| EN ISO 374-1 | Chemical-protection requirements, classification and marking |
| EN ISO 374-2 | Penetration through defects or openings, assessed using leak tests |
| EN 374-4 | Degradation of glove material after chemical exposure |
| EN ISO 374-5 | Protection against micro-organism risks, separate from chemical classification |
| EN 16523-1 | Permeation testing against liquid chemicals under continuous contact |
These are complementary checks. Passing a leak test, for example, does not show how long a solvent takes to permeate an intact glove material. See the manufacturer technical guides in references 3 and 4.
Which edition should buyers check in 2026?
As of 16 October 2026, ISO lists ISO 374-1:2024, published in July 2024, as its current published edition. The earlier ISO 374-1:2016 and its 2018 amendment are withdrawn at ISO level. Separately, DIN Media lists its adoption of EN ISO 374-1:2016+A1:2018 as current. These are distinct publication records; a new ISO edition does not automatically establish a new European adoption or change the documentation for an existing glove. ISO record · DIN European-adoption record.
The Type A/B/C explanation below focuses on the established EN ISO 374-1:2016+A1:2018 marking system. In a quotation or specification, record the full standard designation and edition shown in the exact model’s conformity documents. Do not simply request “the latest EN 374” or assume all certificates have identical scope.
Penetration, permeation and degradation
These three terms describe different ways a glove’s protection can be compromised.
Penetration
Penetration is passage through openings such as holes or defects. Air- and water-leak tests assess this type of barrier failure. A puncture or tear during work can create a route that was absent when the new glove was tested.
Permeation
Permeation is movement through the material at a molecular level. It can occur without a visible hole or obvious change in appearance. Laboratory testing measures chemical transfer and reports breakthrough performance under specified conditions.
Degradation
Degradation is a change in material properties after chemical contact. Examples include swelling, softening, hardening or cracking. The degradation test assesses changes in puncture resistance following exposure; buyers should examine the reported result alongside permeation data, not assume that a chemical letter means negligible material damage. MAPA technical guide.
Type A, Type B and Type C gloves
The classification depends on performance against chemicals from a defined reference list—not the total number of chemicals used in your workplace.
| Glove type | Minimum number of reference chemicals meeting the criterion | Minimum permeation performance for those chemicals |
|---|---|---|
| Type A | 6 | Level 2, corresponding to the 30-minute breakthrough threshold |
| Type B | 3 | Level 2, corresponding to the 30-minute breakthrough threshold |
| Type C | 1 | Level 1, corresponding to the 10-minute breakthrough threshold |
These are laboratory classification thresholds, not recommended wearing periods. Type A and Type B markings identify qualifying reference chemicals with code letters; Type C does not carry the equivalent letter string beneath the chemical pictogram. Ansell marking guide.
Is Type A always the best choice?
No. Type A demonstrates the required performance across a broader minimum set of reference chemicals. It does not guarantee better performance against the particular substance you handle.
For example, a Type B glove with relevant supporting data may be a more appropriate candidate than a Type A glove whose qualifying chemicals do not include your exposure. Compare the chemical-specific test results, degradation information and manufacturer’s recommendations before deciding.
Nor should Type C be read as “safe for any short splash”. A glove still needs to be suitable for the actual chemical and task.
Chemical code letters explained
The letters identify specific reference chemicals, not blanket resistance to entire chemical families. The following table gives the 18 codes used in the established EN ISO 374-1 system. Concentrations are shown where explicitly included in the chemical designation.
| Code | Reference chemical | Code | Reference chemical |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Methanol | J | n-Heptane |
| B | Acetone | K | Sodium hydroxide, 40% |
| C | Acetonitrile | L | Sulphuric acid, 96% |
| D | Dichloromethane | M | Nitric acid, 65% |
| E | Carbon disulphide | N | Acetic acid, 99% |
| F | Toluene | O | Ammonia, 25% |
| G | Diethylamine | P | Hydrogen peroxide, 30% |
| H | Tetrahydrofuran | S | Hydrofluoric acid, 40% |
| I | Ethyl acetate | T | Formaldehyde, 37% |
Source: Ansell EN ISO 374 marking guide. The sequence intentionally skips Q and R.
Example of a Type B marking
An illustrative Type B — JKL marking identifies qualifying performance against n-heptane, 40% sodium hydroxide and 96% sulphuric acid. It does not establish resistance to every hydrocarbon, alkali or acid, and it does not reveal the full breakthrough result for each chemical.
If acetone is the workplace exposure, JKL alone does not answer the selection question. Request the exact glove’s acetone data. Likewise, a missing letter is not automatically a failure result: additional test information may exist in the manufacturer’s documentation.
Breakthrough levels are not a safe-use timer
Permeation performance is grouped into six levels. The table shows the time threshold associated with each level; the full test report supplies the actual result and test conditions.
| Permeation level | Laboratory breakthrough threshold |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10 minutes |
| 2 | 30 minutes |
| 3 | 60 minutes |
| 4 | 120 minutes |
| 5 | 240 minutes |
| 6 | 480 minutes |
Source: MAPA technical guide.
Normalised breakthrough relates to a specified permeation-rate threshold. It is not necessarily the instant when the first molecule crosses the glove. Chemical transfer may occur before that threshold is reached. Ansell also notes that warmer conditions and differences in formulation, thickness and contact patterns can affect protection. Ansell explanation of permeation and breakthrough.
A “greater than 480 minutes” result is not an eight-hour wearing guarantee. A workplace change-out rule must account for the substance’s hazards, exposure pattern, operating conditions and manufacturer guidance. Do not invent a universal rule such as “use half the breakthrough time”.
Repeated brief contact also deserves assessment. A task performed many times during a shift is not necessarily equivalent to one isolated splash.
How to choose chemical-resistant gloves for a task
Start by reducing contact with hazardous substances through the process itself. Gloves support those controls; they should not be the only answer to an avoidable exposure. HSE recommends considering the substance, other hazards, contact type and duration, wearer and task. HSE glove-selection guidance.
1. Define the exposure precisely
Record the chemical or product name, safety data sheet, composition and concentration. Include temperature, splash or immersion potential, and frequency of contact. For mixtures, seek relevant mixture data or technical advice rather than assuming that separate pure-chemical results predict the combined formulation.
2. Compare exact models
Ask for model-specific permeation and degradation data, the instructions for use and the applicable conformity documents. “Nitrile”, “PVC” or “neoprene” describes a material family, not a complete performance specification. Formulation and construction matter.
3. Check the complete job
Assess grip, dexterity, fit and cuff coverage, together with cuts, abrasion or heat. Confirm compatibility with sleeves and other PPE. Do not assume that chemical protection establishes mechanical protection, food-contact suitability or electrical insulation.
4. Set use and replacement rules
Specify when to change gloves, how to remove them without transferring contamination, and whether the manufacturer permits cleaning and reuse. Arrange suitable storage and disposal. Inspect before use, but do not rely on visible damage as the only replacement trigger.
HSE’s guidance supports manufacturer-specific selection and practical training; its UK references should not be treated as legislation in another country. HSE guidance.
Chemical standards, legal duties and site practices
Keep these three layers separate when writing a tender or advising a customer.
| Layer | What it means for the buyer |
|---|---|
| Technical standard | Defines the relevant tests, performance and marking framework. Verify the exact model and edition. |
| Applicable legislation | Establishes obligations for the market or workplace. Requirements depend on jurisdiction and scope. |
| Site procedure | Sets task-specific glove choices, training, change-out and handling rules based on the assessment. |
In the European Union, Regulation (EU) 2016/425 governs PPE design, manufacture and marketing. The European Commission distinguishes mandatory legal requirements from the use of harmonised standards to demonstrate conformity. Buyers should check the declaration of conformity, applicable conformity-assessment documentation and current Official Journal references; “EN 374” printed in a sales listing is not a complete compliance file. European Commission PPE guidance · Harmonised-standard references.
For comparison, US OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 requires appropriate hand protection for hazards including harmful skin absorption and chemical burns. Selection must consider performance, tasks, conditions, duration and identified hazards; the rule does not prescribe EN 374 as a universal requirement. OSHA hand-protection rule.
For Malaysia or another destination market, check the applicable workplace and product-approval requirements separately. An EN or CE claim does not automatically establish local approval.
What about bacteria and viruses?
Chemical classification and biological protection are separate claims. Part 5 addresses micro-organism risks; ISO’s current international edition is ISO 374-5:2024. For the established EN ISO 374-5 marking, the additional “VIRUS” wording indicates the relevant additional viral-penetration testing. A Type A chemical marking alone does not establish this protection. ISO Part 5 · Ansell marking guidance.
Buyer checklist before placing an order
- Identify the exact chemical or mixture and obtain its safety data sheet.
- Describe contact conditions, temperature, duration and frequency.
- Record the glove model, material, size, cuff length and relevant standard edition.
- Obtain chemical-specific permeation results and degradation information.
- Verify other required protection independently.
- Check the relevant conformity and local approval documents.
- Trial fit, grip and dexterity using a safe, controlled method.
- Document change-out, removal, cleaning where permitted, and disposal procedures.
- Require approval before substituting a different model.
For distributors, include the approved model and application scope in the quotation. An alternative of the same colour or material is not necessarily an equivalent protective product.
SAFETYWARE Products and Solutions
The SAFETYWARE product catalogue and Chemical Resistant Gloves range provide options for a task-based shortlist. Two relevant official listings are:
| Product | Verified construction details | Selection discussion |
|---|---|---|
| SAFETYWARE Chem-Pro™ GNF1513 Nitrile Gloves | Cotton-flocklined nitrile; listed thickness 15 mil / 0.38 mm and length 13 inches / 330 mm | Review chemical-specific data, cuff coverage and the wearer’s fit and dexterity needs. The page lists EN ISO 374-1:2016+A1:2018; request the current supporting documents for the exact supplied model. |
| SAFETYWARE ChemArmor+™ CMA02 Cut Resistant Nitrile Supported Gloves | Nitrile coating, an 18-gauge HPPE-blended liner and a sandy-grip palm | Consider for assessment where chemical and mechanical hazards coexist. Verify each required performance claim and chemical result separately; the product name is not a compatibility chart. |
Neither listing establishes suitability for every chemical, concentration or mixture. Share the task details and safety data sheets with SAFETYWARE, then request the relevant technical data, instructions, sizes and supporting certificates before standardising supply.
A useful enquiry states the product being handled, operating temperature, expected contact, other hand hazards and required quantities. This gives the team a clear basis for comparing suitable candidates and identifying where further evidence is needed.
Conclusion
Understanding EN 374 means looking beyond a pictogram. Type A/B/C identifies a classification; chemical letters identify reference substances; permeation and degradation data explain important parts of performance.
The best purchasing decision connects those results to the real task. Verify the exact glove, chemical and conditions, then support the selection with training and a documented replacement procedure. Use the marking to ask better questions—not to assume universal protection.
Sources and references
Sources checked on 16 October 2026:
- ISO: ISO 374-1:2024 publication and status and ISO 374-5:2024.
- DIN Media: DIN EN ISO 374-1:2018-10, adopting EN ISO 374-1:2016+A1:2018.
- Ansell: EN ISO 374 resource centre and downloadable marking guide; permeation and breakthrough-time explanation.
- MAPA Professional: Understanding EN ISO 374 technical guide.
- UK HSE: Choosing the right gloves to protect skin, used for practical selection guidance rather than current standard-edition status.
- European Commission: PPE legislation and conformity guidance and current harmonised-standard references.
- US OSHA: 29 CFR 1910.138 — Hand protection.
- SAFETYWARE: Products, Chemical Resistant Gloves, Chem-Pro GNF1513 and ChemArmor+ CMA02.
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