CEN Graded Padlocks: How Are They Graded?
The best padlock for your site depends on the required attack resistance and the fitting it must pass through. Your insurer may also set a condition. A CEN grade padlock gives you a standard way to compare security performance, but the grade is only one part of the buying decision.
This guide explains what the ratings mean and how to choose a suitable grade. It also shows when a closed shackle padlock makes sense and compares four Locks Direct options for higher-risk commercial sites and containers.
Estimated reading time 7 minutes
In this article
What Does CEN Grade Mean on a Padlock?
CEN is the French abbreviation for the European Committee for Standardization. In the UK, mechanical padlocks and padlock fittings are covered by BS EN 12320:2021. The standard covers strength, security, durability, performance and corrosion resistance.
The full standard uses a classification code for several aspects of performance. The security element runs from Grade 1 to Grade 6, with Grade 6 the highest. A product must meet the requirements at its claimed level rather than receive a score based on the manufacturer's own terms such as 'heavy duty'.
Look for the grade and the relevant version of EN 12320 in the product information. A CEN claim doesn't automatically confirm third-party certification, so buyers working to a formal specification should ask for the supporting declaration or certificate.
How is a CEN Grade Padlock Tested?
BS EN 12320 uses performance tests for the complete padlock and, where relevant, its fitting. The assessment covers four broad areas:
Attack resistance against methods such as pulling, twisting, cutting, drilling or sawing, according to the grade being assessed.
Key-related security, including the minimum number of different key combinations required at each level.
Durability and operation so the padlock continues to work through the specified test cycle.
Corrosion resistance, which is classified separately from the 1-to-6 security grade.
“
The current 2021 edition also includes limited manual attack testing because machine tests don't reproduce every known attack. This is why the grade is more useful than a retailer's untested security description.
”Which CEN Grade Padlock Should I Choose?
Use the table below as a starting point, then check the lock against your insurance wording and whatever hardware is already fitted to the entry point. The suggested uses are practical buying guidance rather than applications defined by the standard.
| CEN Security Grade | Relative Level | Practical Starting Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low | Low-value indoor lockers or cupboards |
| 2 | Basic | Indoor storage where the theft risk is limited |
| 3 | Medium | Sheds, gates and residential outbuildings in lower-risk locations |
| 4 | High | Commercial gates, storage units and shipping containers |
| 5 | Very High | Exposed commercial sites and higher-value stored goods |
| 6 | Maximum | Sites that need the highest grade available under the standard |
CEN Security Grade
1
Relative Level
Low
Practical Starting Level
Low-value indoor lockers or cupboards
CEN Security Grade
2
Relative Level
Basic
Practical Starting Level
Indoor storage where the theft risk is limited
CEN Security Grade
3
Relative Level
Medium
Practical Starting Level
Sheds, gates and residential outbuildings in lower-risk locations
CEN Security Grade
4
Relative Level
High
Practical Starting Level
Commercial gates, storage units and shipping containers
CEN Security Grade
5
Relative Level
Very High
Practical Starting Level
Exposed commercial sites and higher-value stored goods
CEN Security Grade
6
Relative Level
Maximum
Practical Starting Level
Sites that need the highest grade available under the standard
⚠️
Check the Fit
A higher grade shows greater resistance in the standard's security tests. It doesn't make every Grade 6 model suitable for every fitting, so check the shackle size and shape before ordering.
The Best CEN Grade Padlocks By Use
These picks cover different fitting requirements rather than ranking every lock by grade alone.
| Padlock | CEN Grade | Shackle Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mul-T-Lock NE14H | 6 | Closed | Maximum security where the fitting accepts a protected shackle |
| Mul-T-Lock NE14L | 6 | Open | Maximum-grade protection with more room around the shackle |
| Mul-T-Lock NE12H | 5 | Closed | High-risk outdoor and commercial locking points |
| Squire WS75 | 4 | Container Style | Shipping containers that accept this block-style fitting |
Padlock
CEN Grade
6
Shackle Style
Closed
Best For
Maximum security where the fitting accepts a protected shackle
Padlock
CEN Grade
6
Shackle Style
Open
Best For
Maximum-grade protection with more room around the shackle
Padlock
CEN Grade
5
Shackle Style
Closed
Best For
High-risk outdoor and commercial locking points
Padlock
CEN Grade
4
Shackle Style
Container Style
Best For
Shipping containers that accept this block-style fitting
The NE14H is the strongest all-round option in this group when its closed shackle fits the locking point. Choose the NE14L if the same Grade 6 level is required but the fitting needs the clearance of an open shackle. For a container, confirm the lock-box dimensions before choosing the WS75.
How Do I Compare Padlock Security Ratings?
Use the following order when comparing products:
1
Start with any insurance or contract requirement.
2
Choose a CEN security grade that matches the risk and value involved.
3
Confirm that the shackle and body fit the existing hardware.
4
Check weather resistance and key control.
5
Verify any separate third-party approval named in the specification.
This gives you a clearer comparison than relying on labels such as 'heavy duty' or choosing the largest body on the page.
Closed Shackle or Open Shackle Padlock?
A closed shackle padlock surrounds more of the metal loop with the lock body. This reduces the amount of shackle available for tools to grip or cut. It suits exposed gates and commercial fittings where the smaller opening still lines up cleanly with the hasp or staple.
An open shackle gives you more working space. It fits thicker fittings and awkward locking points more easily, but leaves more of the shackle accessible.
Compare the CEN grade first, then use shackle design to choose between products at a suitable security level. Don't assume a lower-grade closed shackle padlock must outperform a higher-grade open model. The published grade assesses the complete product.
What Else Should I Compare Before Buying?
A high CEN grade won't correct a poor fit or weak surrounding hardware. Check these points before choosing the best padlock for the job.
Insurance Wording
Read the policy or security schedule for the exact grade, certification and installation requirements. Some insurers specify a CEN level, while policies for bikes and powered cycles often refer to a Sold Secure rating instead. The systems aren't interchangeable. Sold Secure explains its separate Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond levels in its official rating guide.
Surrounding hardware
Measure the opening and shackle diameter, then check the available clearance. The padlock should sit closely enough to limit tool access without binding against the fitting. Pair it with a suitably rated hasp and staple or compatible container lock box. A strong padlock attached to thin or damaged hardware still leaves an easier point of attack.
Outdoor exposure
The security grade and corrosion classification answer different questions. For an exposed or coastal site, check the product's materials and stated weather resistance as well as its security grade. A protective cover may also help. Browse weatherproof padlocks if the lock will remain outside.
Key control
Sites with several users need a clear plan for spare keys and access. Restricted padlocks control how keys are copied, while keyed-alike and master-keyed systems reduce the number of keys a team has to manage. This choice doesn't raise the CEN grade, but it affects day-to-day security.
Locks Direct stocks CEN grade padlocks from Grade 3 to Grade 6. The range includes open and closed shackle models, plus container-style options. You can filter by CEN rating and shackle type, then narrow the results by weather resistance or Sold Secure approval.
If you're comparing two models or need to check a fitting, contact Locks Direct or call 0800 542 1264. Share the application and opening dimensions, along with any policy wording. The team can then narrow down the suitable options.
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