Overview
EN ISO 374-2:2019 - Protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and micro‑organisms - Part 2: Determination of resistance to penetration (ISO 374-2:2019) specifies standardised test methods to assess whether protective gloves resist penetration by liquids, air and micro‑organisms. It is part of the ISO 374 series for glove performance and is adopted by CEN as EN ISO 374-2:2019. The standard defines test principles, sampling rules, required apparatus and test procedures for both air leak and water leak penetration tests.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principles
- Air leak test: glove interior is pressurised while immersed in water; leaks are detected as escaping air bubbles.
- Water leak test: glove is filled with water; leaks are detected by appearance of droplets on the external surface.
- The air test may be unsuitable for some glove constructions (e.g., uneven inflation); in such cases the water leak test is used.
- Sampling
- Test one glove of each size with a minimum of 4 samples per performed test.
- If any single sample fails, the overall test is reported as failed.
- Disregard leaks within 40 mm from the edge of the liquid‑proof area.
- Apparatus
- Air test: circular fixing mandrel, means of air inflation, water tank, pressure gauge (0–10 kPa), pressure regulator and rotation capability to inspect full surface.
- Water test: open-ended fill tube (380 mm length with 40 mm mark), elastic strap fastening, stand for suspending tube, device to deliver ≥1 000 ml water.
- Pressure settings
- Nominal air pressures depend on glove thickness (example values from the standard):
- e ≤ 0.3 mm → 0.5 kPa
- 0.3 < e ≤ 0.5 mm → 2.0 kPa
- 0.5 < e ≤ 1.0 mm → 5.0 kPa
- e > 1.0 mm → 6.0 kPa
- Procedure notes
- Immersion depths and rotation of mandrel are specified to ensure full surface inspection.
- Visual inspection prior to testing is required; visible defects cause failure.
Applications and who uses it
- Used by glove manufacturers for design verification and production control (see informative Annex A).
- Applied by independent test laboratories and certification bodies to demonstrate penetration resistance for PPE certification.
- Relevant to procurement officers, safety managers, and occupational health professionals specifying gloves for chemical handling, healthcare, laboratories and biodefense.
- Supports compliance with chemical and microbiological protective glove requirements and helps compare products using standardized penetration resistance metrics.
Related standards
- ISO 374-1 (Terminology and performance requirements for chemical risks) - normative reference for terms and definitions.
- EN ISO 374-2 is part of the broader ISO 374 series covering chemical and micro‑organism protection for protective gloves.
Keywords: EN ISO 374-2:2019, protective gloves, penetration resistance test, air leak test, water leak test, glove testing, PPE standards, chemical protection, micro‑organisms.