Resources

The NIJ Standard

The NIJ is the sole, national standard for body armor worn by law enforcement and corrections officers. The single most important thing to look for when shopping for body armor is the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Rating. NIJ Standard-0101.06 has specific performance standards. This rating is the ballistic standard of resistance used in the U.S. and throughout most of the world. Some body armor manufacturers voluntarily submit their products to be tested as a part of the NIJ Voluntary Compliance Testing program. Consequently, if a company selling body armor neglects to submit their products for testing or meet the NIJ’s standards, it has not taken the time to ensure their products are up to law-enforcement standards. Body armor becomes NIJ rated when it passes a strict set of guidelines. The NIJ has been setting standards since 1972, and they’re the only nationally accepted baseline for the body armor worn by law enforcement and corrections officers. It’s the highest level of certification available and a long process for products to get their backing on ballistic performance.