BS EN 14325:2018

What is BS EN 14325-Test methods and performance classification of chemical protective clothing about?

BS EN 14325 discusses protective clothing against chemicals. BS EN 14325 is an international standard that provides test methods and performance classification of chemical protective clothing materials, seams, joins, and assemblages to ensure protection against hazardous chemicals.

BS EN 14325 specifies the performance classification and test methods for materials used in chemical protective clothing, including gloves and footwear. The gloves and boots should have the same chemical protective barrier requirements as the fabric when an integral part of the clothing.

Under BS EN 14325 the performance levels are intended to relate to the usage to which the chemical protective clothing is to be put, it is essential that the chemical protective clothing manufacturer or supplier indicate the intended use of the protective clothing and that the user (specifier) carries out a risk assessment to establish the correct performance level for the intended task.

Note: BS EN 14325 is a reference standard to which chemical protective clothing performance standards may refer in whole or in part, but this standard is not exhaustive in the sense that product standards may well require testing according to test method standards which are not included in BS EN 14325.

Who is BS EN 14325-Test methods and performance classification of chemical protective clothing for?

BS EN 14325 on test methods and performance classification of chemical protective clothing are relevant to:

• Protective clothing manufacturers
• Protective clothing testing laboratories/test personnel
• Occupational health and safety departments
• Risk assessment departments

Why should you use BS EN 14325-Test methods and performance classification of chemical protective clothing?

Chemical resistant clothing includes all apparel that can provide a barrier between hazardous substances and skin. When you are working near hazardous chemicals, confidence in your protective garment is critical.

BS EN 14325 provides you with performance classification of materials, performance requirements for seams, joins and assemblages, test methods, and instructions for use.

The test methods and performance requirements provided by BS EN 14325 assist in enhancing the performance of protective clothing material and ensure protection to end-users from the highest permeation resistance to gas and water vapors.

By adopting BS EN 14325 the user can improve the efficacy of the protective clothing material and help produce a product of higher standard and quality.

What is changed since the last update?

BS EN 14325:2018 supersedes EN 14325:2004, which is withdrawn. BS EN 14325:2018 has made some technical changes compared to previous edition EN 14325:2004. These include:

• Clarification of scope concerning integrated gloves and boots
• A clear hierarchy of assessment process with pressure pot in addition of assessment of abrasion resistance by the hydrostatic head for materials for which the pressure pot method cannot be applied, and limitation of assessment by visual inspection only to materials with the hydrostatic head less than 200 mm as well as improved procedure and revision of flex cracking classes as well as improved procedure
• The effect of revising the leak tightness testing procedure, changing both the abrasion standard and the abradant paper in addition to the fact that the result is based on the lowest single value for classification. A revision of the abrasion rubs was agreed the new requirements form a more uniform curve to give more meaning to the test
• Following testing on leak tightness after flexing reviewed by the PG as well as the revision of the procedure, it was agreed to adopt both the Annex E on pressure pot concerning volume in the pressure pot and adopt the requirement levels to avoid issues during testing and the 100 000 cycles were deemed too extreme versus reality. The new requirements form a more uniform curve