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Update of the EN 14404:2024 + A1:2010 standard

Normative Values

15 October 2025

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👉 For professionals who work on their knees!  
The knee protection standard EN 14404:2024+A1:2010 has been withdrawn and replaced by a new series of standards.


The major transition: from a single EN 14404 to a series of standards:

 

The new series of standards was published in 2024 and incorporated into EU law by the Commission in May 2025.

This update aims to clarify and specify the requirements for each type of protection.

The previous EN 14404:2024+A1:2010 covered all types of knee protection, from standalone knee pads to trousers with integrated pockets.

The new series of standards (according to EU harmonization documents):

  • EN 14404-1:2024 – Test methods
  • EN 14404-2:2024 – Requirements for portable knee protectors (type 1)
  • EN 14404-3:2024 – Requirements for non-interoperable knee pad plates combined with garments (type 2)
  • EN 14404-4:2024 – Requirements for interoperable knee pad plates combined with garments (type 2)
  • EN 14404-5:2024 – Requirements for knee mats (type 3)
  • EN 14404-6:2024 – Requirements for kneeling systems (type 4)  

 

This division into multiple parts is a major change affecting product certification and compliance.

 

Implications for manufacturers and users:

 

 

For personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers, the new series has a direct impact: each product type must be tested and certified according to its specific part of the standard. For example, trousers with pockets designed to hold knee pads (classified as “type 2”) must now comply with the requirements of EN 14404-3 or EN 14404-4. The impact is also significant for users. On the one hand, dividing the standards by protection type makes PPE selection clearer and more straightforward. On the other hand, companies and workers are required to update their equipment and ensure that the products they purchase are certified according to the new series. Although products certified under the old EN 14404:2024+A1:2010 remain valid as long as their certification is active, all new certifications must comply with the updated standards.

 

Performance levels and technical requirements:

 

Although the structure of the standard has changed, the fundamental principles of knee protection remain the same. Knee protectors are still classified into four types and three performance levels:

  • Level 0: Protection for smooth, flat surfaces (no penetration resistance required).
  • Level 1: Protection against rough surfaces and sharp/pointed objects (minimum 100 N penetration resistance, tested on a flat and regular surface).
  • Level 1U: Same as Level 1 but tested on irregular surfaces.
  • Level 2: Protection for extreme working conditions (minimum 250 N penetration resistance).

 

You can rely on the TTS team for expert advice on interpreting and applying these standards 🙂