4.1 This guide is intended for use by law enforcement, corrections, or other public safety agencies in planning and managing a body armor program. The overarching objective is officer safety and assisting with risk management.

4.2 This guide was developed via a collaborative partnership between local, state, and federal public safety agencies, body armor wearers, vendors, fitters, and unions (for example, Fraternal Order of Police). The purpose is to guide law enforcement, corrections, or other public safety agencies in planning and managing a body armor program.

4.3 A graphical overview showing all aspects and interrelated activities of planning and managing a body armor program is provided in Appendix X1 of this guide.

1.1 The purpose of this guide is to assist law enforcement, corrections, or other public safety agencies in planning and managing a body armor program.

1.2 This guide addresses ballistic-resistant, stab-resistant, multi-threat, combination, concealable soft, hard plate, and tactical body armor.

1.3 This guide specifically includes the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) body armor program as a provider of performance standards, guidance, and certification for body armor. While many countries recognize the NIJ body armor program, applicable certification programs of other countries should be consulted.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.