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High-security cylinders A2P 1, 2 and 3-star

A2P-certified cylinders: the assurance of a door that resists picking, drilling, pulling and bumping. Abus, BKS, Vachette, Bricard, Mul-T-Lock, Iseo, JPM and Pollux: shipped by Chronopost or DHL, or collected in Chatou.

What is an A2P high-security cylinder?

A2P certification ("Assurance Prévention Protection") is awarded by the Centre National de Prévention et de Protection (CNPP), the French national prevention and protection centre. It assesses how well a cylinder resists real break-in attempts: picking, drilling, pulling, bumping and unauthorised key duplication.

There are three levels, expressed in stars, each corresponding to a minimum resistance time against an attacker equipped with tools:

LevelMinimum resistanceRecommended useIndicative price
A2P 1-star5 minutesSecondary door, cellar, outbuilding50 - 90 €
A2P 2-star10 minutesStandard front door, residential building90 - 180 €
A2P 3-star15 minutesReinforced front door, business premises, required by most home insurers180 - 350 €

Beyond resistance time, A2P certification also covers protection of the key against duplication: certified cylinders come with a secure personal key registration card, which prevents unauthorised copies from being made by just any locksmith.

How do you choose the right A2P cylinder for your door?

The choice of cylinder depends on four factors:

  1. Use: main front door (A2P 2★ minimum), outbuilding (A2P 1★), business premises (A2P 3★)
  2. Dimensions: measure the length on the outside (side A) and on the inside (side B) from the centre of the fixing screw. Standard sizes range from 30/30 mm to 45/55 mm.
  3. Type: standard with a key on both sides, thumbturn (inside knob so you can exit without a key), or with emergency function (can be opened from outside even if a key has been left on the inside).
  4. Brand: choosing a recognised manufacturer ensures that extra keys remain available for 10 to 15 years.

Our free identification service lets you send a photo of your current cylinder · our experts identify the exact model and suggest compatible options.

High-security cylinder brands distributed by CLEFERM

AbusGermany · Bravus 4000 / 5000 (A2P 3★), excellent value for money
BKSGermany · Janus 46/47 (A2P 3★), reputed to be indestructible
VachetteFrance · Radial NT+ (A2P 2★/3★), a classic in French buildings
BricardFrance · Astral S2 (A2P 2★/3★), recommended for property managers
Mul-T-LockIsrael · MT5+ (A2P 3★), ultra-secure key duplication control
IseoItaly · R6 / R90 (A2P 2★/3★), slim, compact design
JPMFrance · Picard JPM (A2P 2★/3★), armoured doors
PolluxFrance · professional range

All our brands are available with their original extra keys, key registration cards and manufacturer warranties (from 5 to 25 years depending on the model).

Installation and compatibility

A standard A2P cylinder fits the vast majority of euro profile locks, which are fitted to more than 95% of residential front doors in France. Installation takes 10 to 15 minutes on average:

  1. Remove the outside handle to access the existing cylinder
  2. Unscrew the central fixing screw (typically 8 cm long)
  3. Pull out the cylinder with the key turned to the 9 o'clock or 3 o'clock position, depending on the direction of the cam
  4. Insert the new cylinder in the same position
  5. Screw it back in and test every position

For multipoint armoured doors (Picard, Fichet, Tordjman), it is advisable to call in a locksmith: some configurations require the panel to be partially removed.

Need help choosing?

Send us a photo of your current installation or describe what you need. An expert will reply.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the A2P and NF standards?
The A2P standard certifies resistance to break-in (picking, drilling, pulling, bumping) with a minimum resistance time. NF is a broader French quality certification, but less specific about resistance to attack. For a front door, A2P is the benchmark.
How do I know if my current cylinder needs replacing?
A cylinder should be replaced if a key is lost or stolen, when you move in, after an attempted break-in (even an unsuccessful one), if the key is hard to turn, after 15 years of intensive use, or to move up to a higher A2P level required by your insurer.
Can I fit a high-security cylinder myself?
Yes: on a standard euro profile door, replacement takes 10 to 15 minutes with a simple Phillips screwdriver. On a multipoint armoured door, call in a locksmith to avoid damaging the panel.
Which A2P level does my home insurance require?
Most insurers require at least an A2P 2-star cylinder for the front door. A2P 3-star is often required for homes in high-risk areas, business premises and certain specific policies. Check your contract.
How many keys come with a high-security cylinder?
It varies by manufacturer: 3 to 5 keys for most Abus models, 5 keys for BKS, 4 to 5 for Bricard. Extra keys can be ordered later with the key registration card (between €15 and €35 per key).
Is my cylinder compatible with my current lock?
95% of French residential locks use the DIN 18252 euro profile, which is compatible with the high-security cylinders we distribute. For special locks (older models, specific armoured doors), send us a photo via our free identification service · we will check compatibility.