The National Institute of Justice released its Compliant Products List for NIJ Standard 0101.07 in late June 2026, according to the NIJ. The list identifies armor models that have completed compliance testing under the new framework, which the NIJ describes as the most significant update to body armor testing protocols since 2008. The previous governing document, NIJ Standard 0101.06, is now replaced.
NIJ Standard 0101.07 is the only nationally accepted standard for ballistic-resistant body armor used by law enforcement and corrections officers in the United States, the NIJ said. The NIJ Compliance Testing Program's Product Conformity Assessment System for ballistic body armor is now governed by the 0101.07 version of the standard.
A Modular Structure: Threat Levels Move to a Separate Document
One of the structural changes in the new framework is the creation of NIJ Standard 0123.00 as a standalone document. That document now defines ballistic protection levels and the associated threats tied to each level, separating those definitions from the testing standard itself, according to the NIJ.
The practical effect is significant. By housing threat profiles in a separate document, the NIJ can update threat levels in response to emerging ammunition or weapons technology without rewriting the entire body armor standard. The testing standard and the threat definitions can now move on independent tracks.
New Protection-Level Names Replace Roman Numeral System
The familiar Roman numeral designations are gone. Under NIJ Standard 0101.07, former Level II armor is now categorized as HG1, and former Level IIIA is now HG2, according to the NIJ. The HG prefix reflects handgun threat categories.
On the rifle side, former Level III armor carries the new designation RF1. The standard also introduces RF2, an intermediate rifle threat level that did not exist as a discrete category under the prior framework. That addition expands the range of certified protection options available to agencies evaluating rifle-rated armor.
Improved Test Methods for Women and Harmonized Lab Practices
NIJ Standard 0101.07 incorporates improved test methods specifically designed for armor worn by women, the NIJ said. The previous standard drew criticism for test protocols that did not adequately account for the fit and performance of armor on female body forms. The updated methods address that gap directly.
The new standard also uses a suite of ASTM International test methods and laboratory practices to harmonize testing procedures across accredited facilities. The NIJ has been engaging with accredited ballistics laboratories since November 2023 to transition those testing practices to the new standard, giving labs more than two years of lead time before the Compliant Products List went live.
The transition also includes updated follow-up inspection and testing schemes for products already certified under the program. Those FIT updates govern how certified armor models are monitored after initial listing, according to the NIJ.
Enforcement Actions Affecting the Compliant Products List
The NIJ Compliance Testing Program is actively removing armor models and listees from the program in response to federal criminal enforcement actions, the NIJ said. The CPL is not a static document. Products can be removed when manufacturers or listees face federal criminal proceedings, and the NIJ has indicated that process is ongoing.
Agencies purchasing armor should verify current CPL status at the time of procurement. A model that appeared on the list at an earlier date may no longer be listed.
Maryland Mandate and State-Level Alignment
At the state level, Maryland House Bill 904 takes effect October 1, 2026. The law mandates that protective body armor must conform to current NIJ standards and must not exceed manufacturer-indicated expiration dates, according to the NIJ. The Maryland legislation directly references NIJ standard compliance as the legal benchmark, making the release of the 0101.07 CPL operationally relevant for agencies and procurement officers in that state ahead of the October deadline.
What the Standard Does Not Cover
The NIJ does not currently certify non-torso ballistic items such as backpacks, blankets, or briefcases, according to the NIJ. Agencies seeking to procure those products cannot reference NIJ certification as a performance benchmark. The 0101.07 standard and its CPL apply exclusively to ballistic-resistant body armor worn on the torso.
The NIJ said it continues to sponsor research to improve body armor performance and ensure compliance with updated minimum performance requirements. No timeline for extending the certification program to non-torso items was provided.
