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PPE - HAND PROTECTION
EN STANDARDS IN DETAIL
Standard EN ISO 374 - Chemical Protection and/or Protection Against Micro-Organisms
Relevant Australian Standard: AS/NZS 2161.10:2005
This standard specifies the capability of gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms.
Micro-Organisms
Performance Levels
1
2
3
OLD: AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) for liquid penetration. A high 
index number is poor and a low index number is good. Gloves 
need to pass water and air leak test, and this test method remains 
unchanged as per the new EN ISO 374 standard.
NEW: in addition to testing for protection from bacteria and fungi, 
each glove can be tested for its protection against viruses with a 
new viral penetration test.
4.0
1.5
0.65
Chemical Protection
OLD: Breakthrough time > 30 minutes for at least three chemicals 
from this list (XYZ represent the code letters for three of these 
chemicals for which the glove obtained > 30 minutes breakthrough 
time).
NEW:
Type C At least Level 1 performance (more than 10 minutes) against 
at least one chemical on the list – cuffs are also tested.*
Type B At least Level 2 performance (more than 30 minutes) 
against at least three chemicals on the list – cuffs are also tested.*
Type A At least Level 2 performance (more than 30 minutes) 
against at least six chemicals on the list – cuffs are also tested.*
A. Methanol	
G. Diethylamine
B. Acetone	
H. Tetrahydrofurane
C. Acetonitrile	
I. Ethyl acetate
D. Dichloromethane	
J. n-Heptane
E. Carbon disulphide	
K. Sodium hydroxide 40%
F. Toluene	
L. Sulphuric acid 96%
Additional Chemicals
M. Nitric acid 65%	
P. Hydrogen peroxide 30%
N. Acetic acid 99%	
S. Hydrofluoric acid 40 %
O. Ammonium hydroxide 25%	
T. Formaldehyde 37%
Performance Level
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Minutes
< 10
10
30
60
120
240
> 480
The beaker icon (low chemical resistance/waterproof) has been eliminated.
Standard EN 388 - Mechanical Protection
Relevant Australian standard: AS/NZS 2161.3:1998
This standard applies to all kinds of protective gloves in respect of physical and mechanical aggressions caused by abrasion, blade cut, 
puncture and tearing.
Performance Level Rating
1
2
3
4
5
A. Abrasion Resistance (Cycles)
100
500
2,000
8,000
-
B. Blade Cut Resistance (Coupe Test Index)
1.2
2.5
5.0
10.0
20.0
C. Tear Resistance (Newtons)
10
25
50
75
-
D. Puncture Resistance (Newtons)
20
60
100
150
-
Expanded Performance Level Rating according to EN388:2016 (A–F)
A
B
C
D
E
F
E. EN ISO Cut Resistance (Newtons)
2
5
10
15
22
30
F. EN Impact Protection
PASS or FAIL
Note: Level X can also be applied for a through e above, which means “not tested” or “not applicable”.
EN 388:2016: Main changes from the previous EN 388:2003 Standard
1.	
Abrasion
New abrasion paper used in testing.
2.	 Cut
New procedure for Coupe Test which also determines if dulling occurs. If dulling occurs, the new EN ISO 13977 test method becomes the 
reference whilst the Coupe Test would only be indicative.
3.	 Impact
Test method for areas claiming impact protection. “P” for pass whilst no code will apply in case of fail.
EN374:2003
EN Level > 2
EN374-1: 2016
Type C
EN374: 2003
EN Level > 2
EN374-1: 2016
Type B
XYZ
EN374-1: 2016
Type A
UVWXYZ
EN374-5: 2016
VIRUS
ABCD
EN388: 2003
ABCDEF
EN388: 2016
Material Courtesy of Ansell

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