NIJ Performance Standards

July 2024 - Transition to the new NIJ Standard-0101.07

What the Updated NIJ Standards Mean for Our Customers

With the recent announcement of NIJ Standard 0101.07 there are changes are on the horizon for ballistic-resistant body armor. As the transition to the future NIJ Standard 0101.07 will be a gradual process, the existing quality control process to maintain the current NIJ Standard 0101.06 will continue to be in place for the foreseeable future. In short, you can have confidence that NIJ 0101.06-compliant armor still meets your protection needs. Here's how these updates impact you:

1. Improved Protection and Testing: The revised NIJ Standard 0101.07 includes enhanced test methods specifically designed for women's armor as well as additional testing requirements for both soft and hard body armor. This means our customers can expect more rigorously tested and reliable armor that offers better protection. As part of the test process, there is also the requirement to test a higher number of panels per certification, with each armour solution required to stop more impacts than under the 0101.06 standard – providing greater confidence in the achieved results.

2. Adaptation to Contemporary Threats: The new NIJ Standard 0123.00 identifies and specifies ballistic protection levels and test threats that are representative of current prevalent threats faced by law enforcement. This ensures that the body armor you purchase is tested against the most relevant and up-to-date threats, providing you with peace of mind and increased safety.

3. Transition to Updated Standards: With the transition from NIJ Standard 0101.06 to NIJ Standard 0101.07, there will be a phased approach in accepting and listing new body armor models. If you have existing armor models compliant with the 0101.06 standard, they will remain on the Compliant Product List (CPL) for some time but will eventually be phased out. New models will be certified under the 0101.07 standard, ensuring they meet the latest testing and safety requirements.

4. Continued Availability and Compliance: Models currently listed as compliant with the 0101.06 standard will still be available and subject to Follow-up Inspection Testing (FIT) to ensure ongoing compliance. However, as the transition progresses, we will update our product offerings to include new models compliant with the 0101.07 standard.

Stay Updated: We will continue to provide updates on the implementation of these new standards and how they affect our product lines. Please feel free to reach out to us for more detailed information or any specific inquiries regarding your body armor needs.

Your safety and protection are our top priorities, and we are dedicated to providing you with the most advanced and reliable ballistic-resistant body armor available. Thank you for your continued trust and support. We are committed to keeping our customers informed about these changes and how they impact your body armor choices. Our team is ready to assist you with any questions or concerns regarding the new standards, compliance, and the transition period.

For more information, please visit NIJ Standard 0101.07 Information – Criminal Justice Technology Testing and Evaluation Center (CJTTEC)

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There are two components to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Ballistic-Resistant Body Armour Standards and Testing Program. The first is the performance standard; the second is the accompanying Compliance Testing Program (CTP).

The use of NIJ Standard-0101.06 is voluntary. Public safety agencies can choose whether to purchase body armour that is found to be compliant with the standard. Similarly, participation in the NIJ CTP on the part of body armour manufacturers is also voluntary.

Participation offers advantages to both public safety agencies and body armour manufacturers. Because the standard was developed with input from law enforcement and correctional officers, it informs manufacturers of what their customers need. 

Purchasing armour listed on the Compliant Product Listing (CPL) provides agencies confidence that an armour will meet their needs. It also provides them with a resource allowing them to see a full list of compliant models that may meet their needs. In turn, the knowledge that agencies are likely to buy armour listed on the CPL provides suppliers with an incentive to have their armours listed.

View the Compliant Product Listing (CPL) Read the NIJ Guide to Body Armour