BS 3621 and TS 007 Locks: What Does “Insurance Approved” Mean?

“Insurance approved” is not a formal lock certification. It is a general term often used for locks that meet a recognised security standard. Each insurer sets its own conditions, so you must check what your policy says about the door in question.

BS 3621 and TS 007 cover different types of hardware. The BS 3621 family applies to complete single-point lock assemblies. TS 007 covers replaceable cylinders and protective hardware, including security handles.

This guide explains which standard may be relevant to your door, how TS 007 star ratings work and where to find lock markings. It also shows what to check before relying on an “insurance-approved” claim.

Which Lock Standard Should You Check for Your Door?

The standard to check depends on the lock or component fitted to the door. It also depends on how the door unlocks from inside. The door material alone does not provide the complete answer.

The table below helps identify which standard or security specification may be relevant. It does not confirm what your insurer, building manager or fire-safety arrangements require.

A timber door does not automatically have a BS 3621-certified lock. It may have a mortice lock, nightlatch, cylinder-operated lock or another system. Certification must be checked on the exact product.

The same principle applies to uPVC and composite doors. These doors commonly use a euro cylinder with a multipoint locking mechanism. TS 007 may apply to the cylinder and protective handle, but it does not rate the complete multipoint strip.

How the door opens from inside also matters. BS 3621 covers key operation from both sides. BS 8621 covers key operation outside with keyless exit from inside. BS 10621 covers a more specialised arrangement with a separate secure mode.

These standards describe different operating arrangements. They are not higher and lower levels of the same standard.

If you are unsure whether you have a mortice lock, nightlatch, cylinder or multipoint mechanism, start by identifying the type of door lock fitted. Once the lock family is clear, its markings can be interpreted more accurately.

BS 3621 vs TS 007: What Does Each One Cover?

BS 3621 and TS 007 assess different types of lock hardware. BS 3621 applies to a qualifying complete lock assembly. TS 007 applies to replaceable cylinders and the hardware designed to protect them.

Neither standard is better than the other. They answer different security questions.

A product listing may mention both standards, but they should not be treated as two ratings for the same component. Ask which standard applies to the lock assembly and which applies to the cylinder or protective hardware.

What Does BS 3621 Cover?

The current standard is BS 3621:2017+A1:2024. It covers thief-resistant, mechanically operated single-point lock assemblies that can be locked and unlocked by key from both sides.

This means BS 3621 relates to the complete assembly. Depending on the product, that assembly can include the lock case, bolt, striking plate, fixings, protective furniture and cylinder where one forms part of the tested design.

In homes, BS 3621 is commonly associated with qualifying mortice locks and nightlatches fitted to timber entrance doors. However, the lock type alone does not prove certification.

A mortice lock is simply installed inside a pocket cut into the door edge. A nightlatch is generally mounted on the inside face of the door. Either type may exist without carrying BS 3621 certification.

Check for:

• The complete BS 3621 reference
• A recognised certification marking
• The manufacturer and product model
• Confirmation that the marking applies to the complete assembly

BS 3621 specifically concerns locks that require a removable key from inside. It does not cover assemblies designed to provide keyless exit. Those arrangements are addressed separately under BS 8621.

Does Five Lever Mean BS 3621?

No. “Five lever” describes the internal mechanism of a lever lock. It does not prove that the complete lock assembly meets BS 3621.

Inside a lever lock, the key must lift several levers to the correct positions before the bolt can move. A five-lever lock contains five of these levers. That can make it different from a basic three-lever lock, but lever count is only one design feature.

BS 3621 covers the tested performance of the complete assembly. It considers more than the number of levers. The exact lock must therefore carry the relevant standard and certification marking.

Do not rely only on:

• A five-lever description
• The shape of the key
• The length of the bolt
• A familiar manufacturer’s name
• The appearance of the faceplate

Two five-lever locks can have different construction, security features and certification status. If BS 3621 matters for a policy or specification, check the exact model rather than the lever count alone.

What Does TS 007 Cover?

TS 007 covers replaceable lock cylinders and the hardware used to protect them. It can apply to euro-profile, oval and threaded cylinders used with compatible rim or mortice lock systems.

The specification also covers security components around the cylinder, including:

• Security handles
• Protective escutcheons
• Cylinder guards
• Lock surrounds
• Other cylinder-specific protective hardware

The Door and Hardware Federation’s TS 007 guidance explains the cylinder and protective-hardware routes used within the star-rating system.

On a typical uPVC or composite door, the euro cylinder accepts the key. It then operates the gearbox connected to the multipoint locking strip. Hooks, rollers or bolts along that strip engage with keeps in the frame.

A TS 007 rating on the cylinder does not certify all those parts. It applies to the cylinder or protective hardware carrying the rating.

This distinction matters when diagnosing a fault. Replacing a cylinder may be appropriate when the cylinder is damaged, unsuitable or being upgraded. It will not repair a worn gearbox, failed locking strip or poorly aligned door.

If you need help with the wider mechanism, read about uPVC and composite door-lock problems before assuming that the cylinder is the only part involved.

The simplest distinction is this:

• BS 3621: check the qualifying complete lock assembly.
• TS 007: check the cylinder and any separately rated protective hardware.

Always match the standard to the part it actually assesses.

BS 3621 vs BS 8621 vs BS 10621: How Are They Different?

BS 3621, BS 8621 and BS 10621 differ mainly in how a locked door can be opened from inside. They are not three security grades. A larger standard number does not mean a stronger lock.

All three standards cover thief-resistant, mechanically operated single-point lock assemblies. The correct one depends on the required method of exit.

The correct standard cannot be selected from the door material alone. How the door is used also matters. Building, escape and insurance requirements may need to be checked separately.

BS 3621 Requires a Key From Inside

A BS 3621 lock assembly is operated by key from both sides. When the door is locked, a removable key is needed to unlock it from inside.

The current standard is BS 3621:2017+A1:2024. It covers thief-resistant single-point lock assemblies with key operation on both sides.

BS 3621 is commonly associated with qualifying mortice locks and nightlatches on timber entrance doors. The lock type alone does not prove certification.

Do not rely only on:

• The number of levers
• The shape of the key
• The length of the bolt
• The manufacturer’s name
• The appearance of the faceplate

Look for the complete standard reference and certification marking on the exact lock assembly.

A key-operated exit may not be suitable for every door. Check how occupants are expected to leave before replacing a thumbturn or another keyless arrangement.

BS 8621 Allows Keyless Exit From Inside

A BS 8621 lock assembly is operated by key from outside. From inside, it can be unlocked with a handle or thumbturn. This allows occupants to leave without finding a removable key.

The BS 8621 keyless-exit standard covers this operating arrangement.

BS 8621 may be relevant where keyless exit forms part of the door or building specification. Certain flat entrance doors are one example. However, not every flat or communal building has the same requirements.

The correct arrangement may depend on:

• The existing doorset specification
• The building’s fire-safety arrangements
• The documented escape strategy
• Lease or management conditions
• The door’s purpose within the building

Do not replace a thumbturn with an internal key cylinder only because an insurance document mentions a British Standard lock. First confirm whether keyless exit is required for that door.

If policy wording conflicts with the building requirements, ask the insurer and the person responsible for the building for written clarification.

BS 10621 Adds a Specialist Secure Mode

BS 10621 covers a specialist dual-mode lock assembly. It normally allows keyless exit from inside. A separate action can place the lock into a secure mode that prevents inside exit.

This is not a stronger version of BS 8621. It is a different operating arrangement.

The BS 10621 secure-mode standard applies to lock assemblies intended for dwellings where an alternative escape route is available. Its suitability depends on the building, intended use and escape arrangements.

BS 10621 should not be treated as a general recommendation for homes, shops or offices. Professional specification is needed before selecting this type of lock.

Most homeowners will not need to choose between these standards without advice. Start by checking how the existing door unlocks from inside. If that method may change, confirm the building requirements before choosing and fitting a replacement lock.

How Do TS 007 Star Ratings Work?

TS 007 uses star ratings for lock cylinders and the hardware designed to protect them. There are two recognised routes to three-star protection:

1. A TS 007 Kitemarked three-star cylinder
2. A TS 007 Kitemarked one-star cylinder combined with a TS 007 Kitemarked two-star armoured handle or lock surround

The rating belongs to the assessed components. It does not automatically cover the door, frame, multipoint mechanism or installation.

What Do the TS 007 Stars Mean?

The stars show the security rating achieved by a cylinder or protective component under TS 007. Different star ratings can appear on different products.

Within the two recognised routes:

• One star can be carried by a qualifying cylinder.
• Two stars can be carried by qualifying protective hardware.
• Three stars can be carried by a qualifying cylinder that provides the full cylinder rating on its own.

The stars should appear with the relevant Kitemark. Stars used only in advertising are not enough to confirm certification.

Star ratings also cannot be combined freely. The products must form a combination recognised by TS 007.

Route One: A TS 007 Three-Star Cylinder

A TS 007 Kitemarked three-star cylinder provides the three-star cylinder route without depending on a separately rated handle.

The rating applies to the cylinder. It does not automatically certify:

• The multipoint gearbox
• The locking strip
• The door and frame
• The keeps
• The handles
• The installation

The cylinder must still be compatible with the door and locking mechanism. Its length and profile must also be correct.

Check for the TS 007 Kitemark and three stars on the exact cylinder. Terms such as “high security” or “anti-snap” do not prove a three-star rating.

Route Two: A One-Star Cylinder With Two-Star Protection

The second route combines a TS 007 Kitemarked one-star cylinder with a TS 007 Kitemarked two-star armoured handle or lock surround.

The protective hardware helps shield the cylinder from direct physical attack. Both parts contribute to the recognised three-star route.

For this combination to count:

• The cylinder must carry the qualifying one-star rating.
• The handle or lock surround must carry the qualifying two-star rating.
• Both products must be Kitemarked to TS 007.
• The ratings must belong to the components actually fitted.
• The components must be compatible and correctly installed.

A one-star cylinder on its own does not provide three-star protection. A two-star handle fitted over an unrated cylinder does not create the recognised combination either.

The Door and Hardware Federation’s TS 007 guidance confirms both routes. It identifies a Kitemarked three-star cylinder as one option. The alternative combines a Kitemarked one-star cylinder with Kitemarked two-star protective hardware.

Before choosing a cylinder or handle, ask:

• Which TS 007 route is being proposed?
• Which component carries each rating?
• Can the exact Kitemark and stars be shown?
• Is the cylinder the correct size for the door?
• Will the cylinder work with the existing handles and mechanism?

“Anti-snap” is often used when describing euro cylinders. However, the phrase alone does not confirm a TS 007 rating. Our guide to anti-snap locks and cylinder security explains what the term means and what evidence to check.

What Does “Insurance-Approved Lock” Actually Mean?

“Insurance approved” is not a formal lock certification. It is an informal term used for locks that may meet a security standard mentioned in some insurance policies.

A certified lock does not automatically satisfy every policy. Each insurer sets its own conditions. Those conditions can vary by property, policy and door type.

Before relying on an “insurance-approved” claim, check two things:

1. Which standard or security rating the exact product carries
2. What your own insurance policy says about that door

Certification and Insurance Are Different

A security standard, product certification and insurance condition are connected, but they are not the same thing.

• Security standard: Sets the technical requirements and test methods for a particular type of lock or component.
• Product certification: Shows that an identified product has been assessed under a stated certification scheme.
• Product marking: Displays information such as a BS number, Kitemark or TS 007 star rating.
• Policy condition: States what an insurer expects for a particular property, door or situation.

For example, a mortice lock may carry BS 3621 certification. That proves something about the tested lock assembly. It does not prove that every insurer will accept it for every entrance.

A TS 007 rating works in the same way. It provides evidence about the cylinder or protective hardware carrying the rating. It does not confirm that the complete door satisfies an insurance condition.

When a seller or installer uses the phrase “insurance approved,” ask:

• Which exact standard supports the claim?
• Which product or component carries the certification?
• Where can the marking be seen?
• Does the claim apply to the lock, cylinder or protective hardware?
• Is any part of the description based only on marketing language?

A locksmith can identify the hardware and explain its markings. Only the insurer can confirm how a policy condition applies to your property.

What Should You Check in Your Insurance Policy?

Start with the full policy wording. The short summary or insurance certificate may not contain every security condition.

Look for sections called:

• Security conditions
• Minimum security requirements
• Door and window locks
• Theft conditions
• Endorsements
• Property-specific conditions

Check whether the wording:

• Names a particular British Standard
• Refers to a lock type rather than a standard
• Applies to every external door or only certain entrances
• Distinguishes between final exit doors and other external doors
• Says how the lock must be used when the property is empty
• Places additional conditions on windows, outbuildings or shared entrances

Do not assume that a condition for one entrance applies to every door. A timber front door, uPVC back door and flat entrance door may use different locking systems.

If the wording is unclear, contact the insurer before changing the lock. Describe the door and the hardware fitted. Ask what would satisfy the policy condition and request the answer in writing.

For a flat or shared building, check the building requirements as well. An insurance condition should not be used to change a thumbturn, keyless exit or other inside-opening arrangement without considering the building’s fire and escape requirements.

Keep copies of:

• Photographs of the existing lock
• Visible standards and certification markings
• Product information for any replacement
• Invoices or installation records
• Written clarification from the insurer
• Relevant instructions from the building manager

This information does not guarantee a future claim outcome. It creates a clearer record of what was fitted and what guidance you received.

How to Check the Standard Marked on Your Existing Lock

Start by identifying the lock type and the component that may carry the certification. Then record the complete marking exactly as it appears.

Do not assume that a familiar brand, five-lever mechanism or row of stars proves a particular standard.

1. Identify the Door and Lock

Record what the door is made from. Common materials include timber, uPVC, composite and aluminium.

Next, identify the general locking system:

• Mortice lock recessed into the door edge
• Nightlatch or rim lock mounted on the inside
• Replaceable euro, oval or threaded cylinder
• Multipoint mechanism running along the door edge
• Security handle or protective escutcheon around the cylinder

This tells you which part should be checked.

A BS 3621-family marking relates to a qualifying complete lock assembly. A TS 007 rating normally relates to the cylinder or separate protective hardware.

2. Check a Mortice or Rim-Lock Assembly

Only inspect the door edge if the door is already open and under your control.

On a mortice lock, check the faceplate fitted along the door edge. For a nightlatch or rim lock, inspect the visible internal lock body and any accessible markings.

Look for:

• The manufacturer’s name
• The complete BS standard number
• A certification mark
• The model or product reference
• Any additional markings on the striking plate or lock case

Record the full number rather than writing only “British Standard.” Different standards describe different inside-opening arrangements.

A five-lever marking does not prove BS 3621 certification. The lever count and standard reference provide different information.

3. Check the Cylinder and Protective Hardware

On a cylinder-operated door, inspect the visible face or end of the cylinder. Also check the handles, escutcheon or lock surround.

Look for:

• A TS 007 reference
• The number of stars
• A Kitemark or other relevant certification marking
• The manufacturer’s name
• The exact product reference
• A separate rating on the security handle or lock surround

Record which component carries each marking. Stars on a handle do not describe the cylinder. Stars on a cylinder do not automatically describe the handles.

If the door uses a multipoint lock, remember that the cylinder is only one part of the system. Its rating does not certify the gearbox, hooks, rollers, locking strip or frame keeps.

4. Check How the Door Opens From Inside

The inside-opening method can help identify which member of the BS lock family may be relevant.

Check whether the locked door opens from inside with:

• A removable key
• A handle
• A thumbturn
• A keyless method with a separate secure mode

This check does not confirm certification by itself. It only helps distinguish between different operating arrangements.

Do not change the inside-opening method without checking whether the door forms part of an escape route or managed building.

5. Photograph and Verify the Markings

Take clear photographs of:

• The complete door
• The inside and outside handles
• The keyhole or cylinder
• The faceplate along the open door edge
• The internal nightlatch or rim-lock body
• Every visible standard number
• The Kitemark or TS 007 stars
• The manufacturer and model reference

Include a wider photograph to show where each marking is located. Then take a close-up that makes the wording readable.

Where possible, compare the details with the manufacturer’s documentation or certification information for the exact model.

Do not remove the cylinder, handles or lock case only to search for a hidden mark. Incorrect removal can leave the door difficult to close or secure.

What Does It Mean if No Marking Is Visible?

No visible marking does not prove that the lock failed a security test. The marking may be located elsewhere or recorded in the original documentation.

However, certification should not be assumed from:

• The lock’s appearance
• Its brand name
• The key shape
• The number of levers
• A seller’s general description
• An unverified “insurance approved” claim

If the marking cannot be confirmed, describe the product as unidentified rather than certified. Clear photographs and the product reference may help establish what is fitted without dismantling the lock.

Need Help Identifying Your Lock?

If the standard or product marking is unclear, you do not need to dismantle the lock to identify it. Clear photographs and a few details about the door may provide enough information to narrow down the lock type and the component that needs checking.

When contacting us, provide:

• The Birmingham postcode
• The door material, such as timber, uPVC, composite or aluminium
• Whether the door is external, internal or part of a flat entrance
• Photographs of the complete door, handles and open door edge
• A close-up of the cylinder, faceplate and visible markings
• The full wording of any standard named in your insurance policy
• Whether the door opens from inside with a key, handle or thumbturn

We can explain what appears to be fitted and whether the markings relate to the complete lock, cylinder or protective hardware. Some products may still require an inspection or exact measurements before their model and compatibility can be confirmed.

A locksmith can identify the hardware and discuss repair or replacement options. Your insurer must confirm whether a particular lock satisfies its policy conditions. For a flat or managed building, the person responsible for the property should confirm any building or escape requirements.

You can send us your lock photographs and door details before deciding what needs to be repaired or replaced.

Check the Lock Marking Before Making a Decision

The right standard depends on the door, the locking component and how the door opens from inside. BS 3621 relates to qualifying complete lock assemblies, while TS 007 covers cylinders and protective hardware. BS 8621 and BS 10621 address different inside-opening arrangements.

Before repairing, upgrading or replacing a lock, identify the hardware and record its complete markings. Do not rely only on the brand, lever count, star symbols or an “insurance-approved” description.

A certification marking provides evidence about the product carrying it. It does not confirm that the complete door meets an insurance or building requirement. Check your policy wording and ask the insurer for written clarification where needed. For a flat or managed building, confirm any escape and door requirements before changing the inside operation.

If the lock remains difficult to identify, you can send us photographs and details of the door. Include the door material, visible markings and whether it opens from inside with a key, handle or thumbturn. We can help identify the hardware and explain whether inspection, repair or replacement should be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions About BS 3621 and TS 007 Locks