When choosing a glove for protection against viruses like the one that causes COVID-19, it’s important to know which regulatory standards exist to help ensure proper protection.

In the European Union, the EN ISO 374:2016 standard measures the ability of gloves to protect users against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms. Part 5 of the EN ISO 374 standard outlines the terminology and performance requirements for micro-organisms risks (including viruses). Gloves featuring the EN ISO 374-5 VIRUS pictogram on packaging are proven to prevent the penetration of viruses through the glove material when tested in accordance with ISO 16604*.

In North America, the ability of gloves to protect against micro-organisms is defined by ASTM F 1671, a similar test to ISO 16604, whereby a sample of glove material is placed in a test cell with a bacteriophage under pressure one side. The glove is only confirmed as protective against viruses if there is zero penetration of bacteriophage into the other side of the test cell.