Which Medical Gloves Should I Use?

Choosing the correct disposable glove is critical for safety, comfort and compliance. In the UK, disposable gloves are used across multiple sectors including healthcare, care, cleaning, industrial environments, and food handling, and no single glove type suits every application.

Understanding the differences between vinyl, nitrile, latex, and synthetic gloves will help you select the right glove to provide the necessary level of protection.

This guide focuses on non-sterile disposable gloves, which are the most commonly used gloves in healthcare, care homes, cleaning, food handling and general handling.

What’s the Difference?

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves are a popular cost effective option for low-risk short term tasks. Made from PVC, they are latex free but provide limited stretch, durability and barrier protection.

They are best suited to:

• Low risk environments
• Short wear times
• Frequent glove changes
• They are not recommended for high-risk clinical use or prolonged wear.

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are widely considered the best alternative to latex. They offer a strong combination of comfort, durability, puncture resistance, and chemical protection, while remaining latex-free.

Ideal for:

• Healthcare and clinical settings
• Care homes and domiciliary care
• Handling bodily fluids or chemicals
• Extended wear and frequent glove use

Not all nitrile gloves provide the same level of chemical resistance. Performance depends on glove thickness and whether the product has been tested to recognised standards.

For most professional users, nitrile gloves are the preferred choice due to the combination of protection and reliability.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves offer a second skin feel with excellent tactile sensitivity, making them suitable for precision tasks. However latex can cause allergic reactions, so many UK healthcare and care environments now limit or avoid using latex.

Best for:

• Precision tasks
• Short to medium wear times
• Environments where latex use is permitted

Synthetic Gloves

Synthetic gloves provide a step up from vinyl, offering better fit and comfort while remaining cost effective. They are suitable for low-risk applications but do not replace nitrile or latex for higher-risk tasks.

Are Medical Gloves Regulated in the UK?

Yes. Non-sterile medical-grade examination gloves are classified as Class I medical devices under UK and EU medical device regulations.

They must:

Carry the UKCA mark (or a CE mark if in Northern Ireland)

Meet BS EN 455 standards, covering:

• Freedom from holes
• Physical properties
• Biological evaluation
• Shelf life and labelling

Compliance with BS EN 455 ensures gloves are safe and suitable for medical examination use.

Chemical protection and EN 374

Where exposure to hazardous chemicals or infectious agents is a risk, gloves need to comply with BS EN ISO 374, the European standard for protection against chemicals and microorganisms.

EN 374 testing evaluates:

• Resistance to chemical permeation (how long it takes a chemical to pass through the glove material)
• Resistance to penetration by liquids and microorganisms
• Degradation performance when exposed to specific chemicals

Gloves tested to EN 374 display a beaker symbol along with chemical codes indication which substances they have been tested against.

It is common for nitrile examination gloves to comply with both:

• BS EN 455 (Medical Device Regulation requirements)
• BD EN ISO 374 (PPE Regulation requirements)

This dual compliance means the glove is suitable for medical examination use while also offering verified chemical and microorganism protection.

Not all gloves are EN 374 certified, so it is important to check product specifications where chemical exposure is a consideration.

How to Choose the Right Medical Gloves

When selecting gloves, consider:

• Risk level of the task
• Duration of wear
• Need for dexterity and comfort
• Allergy considerations
• What chemical protection is needed
• Budget and frequency of use

For most UK healthcare and care environments, nitrile gloves provide the best balance of protection, comfort, and value.

For lower risk tasks, vinyl or synthetic options may be appropriate where cost control is a priority.

Why Buy Medical Gloves from Brosch Direct?

Brosch Direct supplies a wide range of medical-grade examination gloves, including vinyl, nitrile, latex, and synthetic options that are compliant with UK regulations and suitable for use.

Whether you’re managing a care home, clinical setting or facilities operation, our range helps you find the right glove for the job at a price that does stretch your budget.