Feature: New Body Armor Standard

Body armor (which is commonly but inaccurately called a "bulletproof" vest) has saved the lives of more than 3,000 law enforcement officers since 1975.

NIJ has revised the standard for body armor to require rigorous testing that takes into account high heat, humidity and mechanical wear before ballistic testing. The standard ensures that the vests police officers wear will continue to protect them as the material ages.

The revised standard is the fruit of the Justice Department's Body Armor Safety Initiative. The initiative followed the failure of a vest worn by a police officer in Forest Hills, Pa. While the officer survived the shooting, he had serious injuries. The shooting was the only case ever reported to NIJ in which body armor compliant with the standard failed to prevent penetration for a bullet it was designed to defeat.

Learn more about the Body Armor Safety Initiative.

Read the new standard (pdf, 86 pages).