EN ISO 374 explained: chemical and virus protective gloves
EN ISO 374 explained: chemical and virus protective gloves
EN ISO 374 covers gloves that protect against dangerous chemicals (Part 1) and micro-organisms, including viruses (Part 5).
Updated
Quick answer
EN ISO 374-1 sorts chemical gloves into Type A, B or C by how many test chemicals they resist, shown as letters under the flask pictogram. EN ISO 374-5 covers bacteria and fungi, and shows "VIRUS" under the biohazard pictogram only if the glove was also tested against viruses.
At a glance
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| What it covers | Chemical gloves, disposable gloves and virus-protective gloves |
| Editions cited | EN ISO 374-1:2016 and EN ISO 374-5:2016 |
| Status in GB | Designated in Great Britain (GOV.UK notice 0142/26, 15 October 2026) |
| Status in Ireland and NI | Harmonised in the EU, so it applies in Ireland and Northern Ireland (since 21 April 2018) |
| On the label | Flask pictogram with Type A, B or C and chemical letters; biohazard pictogram for Part 5 |
Chemical glove types
| Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Type A | At least 30 minutes against at least 6 test chemicals |
| Type B | At least 30 minutes against at least 3 test chemicals |
| Type C | At least 10 minutes against at least 1 test chemical |
| EN ISO 374-5 | Bacteria and fungi; "VIRUS" only if virus-tested |
Shop EN ISO 374
EN ISO 374 questions
Are disposable nitrile gloves chemical gloves?
Some are certified to EN ISO 374-1 Type B or C for short splash contact. Check the label and the maker's chemical list.
What does VIRUS under the biohazard symbol mean?
The glove passed the extra virus penetration test in EN ISO 374-5. Without it, the glove covers bacteria and fungi only.
Need this for a team?
We can supply and brand PPE for your whole team, delivered across the UK and Ireland.
Official sources
Standards and site rules change. Always check the current edition, the product's declaration of conformity and your own risk assessment.
- GOV.UK: Designated standards for PPE (Great Britain): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-standards-ppe
- European Commission: Harmonised standards for PPE (EU, applies in Ireland and Northern Ireland): https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards/personal-protective-equipment_en
- HSE: PPE at work regulations: https://www.hse.gov.uk/ppe/ppe-regulations-2022.htm
- HSA: Personal protective equipment (Ireland): https://www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/personal_protective_equipment_-_ppe/
- BSI: the UK National Standards Body (publishes BS EN standards): https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/uk-national-standards-body/
- NSAI: National Standards Authority of Ireland (publishes I.S. EN standards): https://www.nsai.ie/