Anyone who regularly works on their knees — on a construction site, while tiling, in installation work or during flooring — is at risk of knee problems caused by prolonged pressure and hard, uneven or sharp surfaces. Knee protection that complies with the European standard EN 14404 is the baseline here: the standard sets requirements for strap-on knee pads, knee pad inserts in work trousers, kneeling mats and kneeling systems. At the end of 2024 the standard was thoroughly revised. In this article we explain what EN 14404 covers, which types and performance levels exist, what is changing and how to choose the right knee protection for your work.
What is the EN 14404 standard for knee protection?
EN 14404 is the European standard for knee protectors for work in a kneeling position. For many years the applicable version was EN 14404:2004+A1:2010. It has been replaced by the EN 14404:2024 series, which consists of six parts: Part 1 describes the test methods, Parts 2 to 6 the requirements for each type. The standard distinguishes four types:
- Type 1: knee protectors worn independently of clothing and fastened around the leg with straps (EN 14404-2).
- Type 2: knee pads, usually made of foam, that are inserted into the knee pockets of work trousers or permanently attached to the trousers (EN 14404-3 and EN 14404-4).
- Type 3: kneeling mats and cushions that are not attached to the body but placed on the ground (EN 14404-5).
- Type 4: kneeling systems worn on the body that have an additional function, such as a stand-up aid or an integrated kneeling seat (EN 14404-6).
Knee protection is tested on aspects such as force distribution (how much force reaches the knee through the pad), resistance to penetration by sharp objects, staying in place while kneeling and moving, and ergonomics. Type 1, 2 and 4 knee protectors are personal protective equipment under the European PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425: they must have passed an EU type examination and carry the CE marking, the standard number and the performance level.
The performance levels: Level 0, 1, 1U and 2
In addition to the type, EN 14404 specifies a performance level. It mainly indicates how well the knee protection resists penetration by sharp objects such as stones, screws or rubble:
- Level 0: no penetration resistance requirement. Only suitable for flat, clean floors, for example indoor assembly work.
- Level 1: penetration resistance at a force of at least 100 N. In the 2024 version, force distribution for this level is tested on a flat surface.
- Level 1U (new in 2024): the same penetration resistance as Level 1 (at least 100 N), but force distribution is also tested on an uneven surface. The U stands for uneven.
- Level 2: penetration resistance at a force of at least 250 N, tested on an uneven surface. Intended for severe conditions, such as a construction site full of rubble, gravel or protruding material.
For most construction sites and outdoor work, Level 1U or Level 2 is the safer choice. On flat, clean indoor floors, Level 0 or Level 1 is often sufficient; these pads are usually thinner and more flexible, which makes them more comfortable.
What changes with EN 14404:2024?
- Six parts instead of one standard: separate requirements apply to each type, with one shared part for the test methods.
- New performance level 1U for uneven surfaces, alongside the existing levels 0, 1 and 2.
- Sizes instead of one size: most parts work with a small and a large size, based on the width of the kneecap. One size for everyone (unisize) is no longer accepted.
- The work trousers count too: work trousers with knee pockets must themselves be tested and certified, even if no knee pad is supplied with them. This can be done as a fixed combination of a specific pair of trousers with a specific pad (EN 14404-3), or as an interoperable system with standardised knee pockets and knee pads (EN 14404-4).
- Transition: since May 2025, Parts 2, 3, 4 and 6 have been harmonised under the PPE Regulation. New certifications and renewals follow the 2024 version. Products with a still-valid certificate to EN 14404:2004+A1:2010 will be around for a while, so in practice you will see both designations side by side.
Strap-on knee pads or work trousers with knee pockets?
Which type suits you best depends on how often and for how long you kneel. Strap-on knee pads (Type 1) are quick to put on, work with any trousers and are a good choice if kneeling is only part of your day. Work trousers with knee pockets combined with knee pad inserts (Type 2) are often more stable and less likely to shift, which is more comfortable for work where most of the day is spent kneeling, such as for floor layers and tilers. With this combination, make sure the trousers and pads are certified together as a combination, or both as an interoperable system to EN 14404-4. Only then does the pad sit in the right place and is the protection verifiable. Also take a look at our full range of knee protection.
Which knee pad suits your profession?
A few practical examples to help you choose:
- Construction and structural work: Level 1U or Level 2, as strap-on knee pads or in knee pocket trousers, because of rubble, gravel and sharp edges. View our range of workwear for construction and combine it with S3 safety shoes for protection from knee to toe.
- Tiling and flooring: a sturdy, wide knee pad (Type 1 or 2) for long periods of kneeling on hard surfaces — comfort and force distribution are especially important here. If there are tile fragments or hardened adhesive on the floor, choose at least Level 1.
- Installation and assembly: on flat, clean floors Level 0 or Level 1 may be sufficient, preferably with light, flexible knee pads that do not restrict movement. In crawl spaces or on rough surfaces, Level 1U or Level 2 is the wiser choice.
- Gardening and landscaping: choose at least Level 1, preferably Level 1U, because of stones, branches and uneven ground, possibly with a water-repellent outer layer. For wet work, safety boots are a good match.
If you are unsure about the right size and fit, also check our size charts, so that the knee pads or knee pocket trousers fit well and do not shift while you work. Knee protectors certified to the 2024 version are also available in different sizes.
Maintenance and when to replace your knee protection
Knee protection is a consumable: the pad gradually loses its shock-absorbing capacity under repeated load, even if there is little visible wear. Replace knee pads or inserts at the latest when there are visible tears, permanent deformation or when the pad feels noticeably flatter than when it was new. Wash knee pads according to the care label — washing too hot or tumble drying can cause the foam to harden or collapse prematurely, which reduces protection.
Frequently asked questions about knee protection
Is knee protection mandatory for kneeling work?
Occupational health and safety legislation requires employers to provide suitable personal protective equipment as soon as the risk assessment shows that kneeling work poses a health risk. Whether knee protection is specifically mandatory depends on the job and the company's risk assessment.
What is the difference between Level 0, Level 1, Level 1U and Level 2?
Level 0 has no penetration resistance requirement and is only intended for flat, clean floors. Level 1 protects against penetration up to at least 100 N; Level 1U does the same and has also been tested on an uneven surface. Level 2 protects up to at least 250 N and is intended for severe conditions, such as a construction site.
Can I use any insert in any pair of knee pocket trousers?
No. The protection is only verifiable if the pad has been tested and certified together with those specific trousers (EN 14404-3), or if both the trousers and the pad are certified as an interoperable system to EN 14404-4. A random pad may sit in the wrong place or shift, leaving the knee insufficiently protected.
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 knee protection?
Type 1 are strap-on knee pads worn around the leg, independently of your clothing. Type 2 are knee pad inserts that sit in the knee pockets of work trousers. Type 1 can be combined with any trousers; Type 2 is usually more stable during long periods of kneeling.
Is EN 14404:2004+A1:2010 still valid?
The old version has been replaced by the EN 14404:2024 series, and new certifications follow the new version. You may continue to use knee protection with a still-valid certificate to the old version; when replacing it, look for products certified to EN 14404:2024.
Are kneeling mats (Type 3) also covered by the PPE rules?
Kneeling mats are not worn on the body. That is why the PPE Regulation and CE marking as PPE apply to Types 1, 2 and 4, but not to Type 3. A kneeling mat can, however, be tested to EN 14404-5, which says something about its protective properties.
How long does knee protection last?
This depends heavily on how intensively it is used and on the surface. Check knee pads regularly for tears, deformation and how easily the pad compresses, and replace them as soon as the cushioning has noticeably decreased.
Does knee protection also work on cold or wet surfaces?
Standard EN 14404 knee protection protects against mechanical load, not automatically against cold or moisture. For outdoor work in wetter or colder conditions, there are variants with a water-repellent or insulated outer layer.