Security level S1 and S2 security cabinets and safes according to EN 14450 are certified to the European standard EN 14450 and provide a basic level of protection against theft. This standard is intended for light security solutions and is applied in situations with a low to very low risk profile. In Belgium, S1 and S2 security cabinets and safes are used for the storage of limited values and documents where a fully burglary-resistant safe certified to EN 1143-1 is not required.
In line with the terminology used by ESSA and ECB-S, EN 14450 operates with security levels rather than resistance grades. The standard distinguishes two levels: security level S1 and security level S2. Unlike EN 1143-1, burglary resistance under EN 14450 is not expressed in Resistance Units (RU). The test methodology is based on standardised attack scenarios using limited mechanical hand tools, after which the product is classified as S1 or S2 without assigning a quantitative RU value.
Security level S1 represents a basic level of security and is intended for applications involving very limited values. It provides protection against opportunistic theft and simple break-in attempts, but is not designed to withstand professional tools or prolonged attacks. Security level S2 offers a reinforced basic level of protection compared to S1. While the test requirements are higher, they remain clearly below the level defined by EN 1143-1.
It is important to note that S1 and S2 must not be equated with resistance grades such as Grade 0 or higher according to EN 1143-1. For applications where insurability, higher insurable values or increased burglary resistance are required, a safe certified to EN 1143-1 remains essential. S1 and S2, by contrast, constitute a clearly defined and normatively distinct solution within the lower security segment.