NIJ Standard 0101.07 is reshaping how ballistic armour is labelled. The standard was published in November 2023 and last updated on 1 December 2025 with three addenda, and certification of products under it is now under way.
The level names have changed. Handgun protection is now HG1 (formerly Level II) and HG2 (formerly IIIA). Rifle protection runs RF1 (formerly Level III), a new intermediate RF2, and RF3 (formerly Level IV). RF2 is the notable addition: it covers everything RF1 stops plus one extra rifle threat, filling a gap operators used to bridge with ad-hoc plate choices. The revision also tightens testing for soft panels and for women's armour.
The old 0101.06 Compliant Products List stays live through at least the end of 2027. Armour you own now remains recognised, so keep wearing it. The practical work is at procurement: learn the new vocabulary, match the protection tier to your actual threat picture, and check the NIJ Compliant Products List for genuine certification rather than trusting a marketing 'level' claim on a spec sheet.
