LPCB Certified Padlocks

LPCB stands for Loss Prevention Certification Board. It is operated by BRE (Building Research Establishment) and has worked with the security industry and insurers for over 150 years. Its job is to independently test and certify security products against rigorous standards, so buyers can trust what they are getting.

LPS 1654 is the specific LPCB standard that applies to padlocks. It covers the requirements and testing procedures for approving and listing padlocks based on their resistance to manual attack. Unlike the European standard EN 12320, LPS 1654 grades padlocks by the time it takes to defeat them using tools that criminals are likely to actually have. This makes it a more realistic measure of real-world security performance.

Grades are based on how long a padlock withstands a physical attack using a defined set of tools. Different grades correspond to different tool categories, ranging from basic hand tools through to more powerful equipment. The grades are broadly grouped as: grades 1 to 2 for domestic and low commercial risk, grades 2 to 4 for commercial risk, grades 5 to 6 for high security, and grades 7 to 8 for extremely high security facilities.

EN 12320 and the CEN grading system assess padlocks against specific technical attributes, such as pull resistance, shackle strength, and pick resistance. LPS 1654 takes a different approach: it measures how long it actually takes an attacker to defeat the lock using real tools. This is designed to reflect what happens in practice rather than in a controlled specification test. The two systems use different criteria, so grades are not directly comparable.

Insurers increasingly specify LPCB certified products because the certification is independent, third-party, and backed by ongoing audits. It gives insurers confidence that the padlock was not just tested once but is manufactured consistently to the tested standard. Some insurers specifically require LPS 1654 graded padlocks as a condition of cover, particularly for commercial premises, containers, or secure storage.