EU protection certification is split onto two levels, 1 and 2, referring to the amount of impact force the padding absorbs.
To meet CE level 1 standards, padding must ensure that forces transmitted by a 5kg weight from a distance of 1m to the wearer are lower than 18kN, with no single value exceeding 24kN.
CE level 2 standards demand that the forces transmitted don't exceed 9kN, with no single value in excess of 12kN). The level 2 cert is usually for motorsport scenarios, where speeds and impact forces tend to be higher.