EN 13832-2 Chemical Resistant Boots: How to Read the Test Report
If your buyers work with acids, alkalis or solvents, “chemical resistant” on a product page is not enough. What matters is whether the boot was tested against the specific chemicals in your environment, and what the report actually says. This guide explains EN 13832-2, the two numbers buyers confuse, and how to read a real test report before you place an order.
What EN 13832-2 Covers — and What It Does Not
EN 13832-2 specifies requirements for footwear protecting against chemicals under splash and short-duration spillage. It sits alongside EN 13832-1 (terminology) and EN 13832-3 (full immersion, continuous contact). Most industrial buyers need EN 13832-2: the boot is rated for accidental splash and brief contact, not for standing in a tank of the chemical.
The single most common mistake is reading “EN 13832-2 boot” as “resists all chemicals.” It does not. The standard is applied against a list of tested reagents. If your solvent is not on that list, the certificate says nothing about your risk.
Degradation vs Permeation: The Two Numbers Buyers Confuse
A chemical-resistance report usually gives you two different results, and mixing them up is how sites end up with the wrong boot.
| Measure | What it tells you | What a “Pass” means |
|---|---|---|
| Degradation | Visible/physical change to the material after contact (swelling, hardening, cracking, loss of strength) | The boot material did not physically break down under the tested reagent and duration |
| Permeation | How fast the chemical passes through the material to the skin (measured as breakthrough time) | The chemical did not penetrate to the inside within the tested period |
A boot can pass degradation (no visible damage) yet fail permeation (chemical reached the foot). For toxic or skin-absorbing substances, permeation breakthrough time is the number that protects the worker. Always ask for both, not just “it passed.”
Reagent List: Why the Specific Chemical Matters
Chemical resistance is reagent-specific. A boot rated against sodium hydroxide may fail against a solvent, and vice versa. A real EN 13832-2 report names each tested chemical, its concentration, the contact condition and the result. Do not accept a summary that says only “acid resistant” or “chemical resistant.”
As an example of what a proper screening looks like, our EN 13832-2:2018 test report (No. GZHT91248162) covers three reagents, each assessed for degradation and permeation:
| Tested reagent | Standard condition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous ammonia | Splash / short contact | Pass |
| Acetic acid | Splash / short contact | Pass |
| 30% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) | Splash / short contact | Pass |
This is exactly the level of detail you should expect: named reagents, not vague claims. If your site handles different chemicals, request a report that lists those specific substances.
Reading a Real Report: Key Fields
When a supplier sends an EN 13832-2 report, check these fields before you approve the boot:
- Standard & year — confirm it is EN 13832-2 (and the edition, e.g. :2018), not a different part.
- Model / article number — the model on the report must match the model you will order. A certificate for one boot does not cover another.
- Reagent names & concentrations — match them to your actual exposure.
- Degradation and permeation results — both should be stated, with the contact duration.
- Laboratory & accreditation — note the testing body and whether it is accredited (e.g. ISO/IEC 17025).
- Date & validity — confirm the report is current for the production batch.
Matching Boot Material to Your Chemical Exposure
Material choice follows the chemical. PVC handles many mild acids and alkalis (and is the basis of most EN 13832-2 splash boots). Nitrile (NBR) is stronger against oils and many solvents. The report — not the material name alone — tells you whether your chemicals are covered. Where a single boot must face mixed hazards, ask the supplier to confirm each reagent on one report rather than assuming coverage.
See our certifications page for the chemical-resistance test evidence we publish by model, and our PVC rain boots range for moulded chemical-splash styles. For a site-specific reagent list, contact our team via the contact page and we will point you to the matching report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EN 13832-2 and EN 13832-3?
EN 13832-2 covers protection against chemical splash and short-duration contact; EN 13832-3 covers continuous immersion. Most industrial buyers need EN 13832-2. If workers stand in the chemical, you need EN 13832-3 instead.
Which matters more, degradation or permeation?
For toxic or skin-absorbing chemicals, permeation breakthrough time matters most because it shows whether the chemical reaches the skin. Degradation shows physical damage. Require both results on the report, and prioritise permeation for hazardous substances.
Does EN 13832-2 mean the boot resists all chemicals?
No. It is tested against a named list of reagents only. A boot rated against sodium hydroxide is not automatically rated against solvents. Always match the tested reagent list to your actual chemicals.
How do I request a chemical-resistance report from a supplier?
State the exact chemicals and concentrations on your site, then ask for the EN 13832-2 report listing those reagents with degradation and permeation results. Confirm the model number on the report matches the boot you will order, and check the lab’s accreditation.
