If you have been shopping for body armor lately, you have probably noticed something: the labels are changing. The familiar Level II, IIIA, III, and IV ratings that have defined ballistic protection for decades are being replaced with a new system called HG1, HG2, RF1, RF2, and RF3. That is NIJ Standard 0101.07 — the biggest overhaul to body armor certification in nearly 20 years.
Here is what it actually means for buyers, what is still unresolved, and one story from inside the NIJ compliance program that every serious buyer needs to hear.
What Changed — The New Level System Explained
The old NIJ 0101.06 standard, published in 2008, classified armor by numeric levels tied to specific handgun and rifle threats. The new 0101.07 splits those into two straightforward categories: HG for handgun threats and RF for rifle threats.
Handgun Protection (HG)
- HG1 — Covers lower handgun threats. Stops common pistol rounds at standard velocities.
- HG2 — The direct successor to Level IIIA. Stops 9mm submachine gun and .44 Magnum. This is where most law enforcement soft armor lands.
Rifle Protection (RF)
- RF1 — Broadly equivalent to old Level III. Stops common rifle threats including 7.62x51mm NATO.
- RF2 — A new middle tier that did not exist before. Fills the gap between standard rifle protection and the top level.
- RF3 — Successor to Level IV. Stops armor-piercing rifle rounds including .30 Cal M2 AP. Top of the pyramid.
The new standard also adds a 7.62x39mm mild-steel-core test threat — a round that was absent from 0101.06 despite being one of the most common rifle calibers in the world. Testing protocols also got tighter: more angle variability during impact tests, stricter environmental conditioning, and improved multi-shot sequencing. Bottom line: armor that passes 0101.07 has been tested harder than anything certified under 0101.06.
The Part Most Vendors Will Not Tell You
As of September 2026, no body armor model has been officially certified under NIJ 0101.07. The new Compliant Products List has not been published. NIJ and CJTTEC have said they will not release it until a meaningful number and variety of compliant products are available.
That means any product marketed as NIJ 0101.07 Certified or NIJ 0101.07 Compliant is using language with no official backing right now. Some manufacturers have tested against the new standard parameters as a reference — that is legitimate. But it is not the same as NIJ certification, and any vendor blurring that line deserves scrutiny.
The 0101.06 Compliant Products List remains active and will be maintained through at least 2029. Over 400 armor models are currently listed. If you want verified, government-tested protection today, the 0101.06 CPL is still the authoritative source. Check it at nij.ojp.gov.
The ShotStop Case — Why Checking the CPL Matters
In May 2025, the NIJ Compliance Testing Program pulled three armor models from the CPL and permanently banned two companies — ShotStop Ballistics and Vallmar Studios — from any future participation in the program. One individual, Val Iliev, was also personally prohibited.
This was not a failed ballistic test. It was the result of a criminal investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio that uncovered conspiracy, smuggling, and counterfeiting. The three pulled models were PA1RF1 ICW SLHIIIA, D1652SSB, and PS1RF1SC.
ShotStop was a recognized industry name. Their products appeared on the official CPL. Law enforcement and individual buyers purchased their armor in good faith. The practical lesson is straightforward: always verify the CPL before you buy — and check it periodically after. A certification that existed last year may not exist today. The CPL is free, public, and searchable at nij.ojp.gov. Two minutes, every time.
Where Universe Body Armor Stands
Every carrier and plate we supply is made to order and custom-fit. Our hard plates are tested to NIJ 0101.06 standards, which remain the active certification framework. When the 0101.07 CPL becomes available and certified products enter the market, we will update our lineup accordingly and be transparent about what is certified versus what has been tested to the new parameters.
Questions about any specific product before ordering? Email us at info@universearmor.com. You will get a straight answer.
Bottom Line
NIJ 0101.07 is a real improvement — better testing, clearer threat categories, more relevant real-world standards. But the certification pipeline is not there yet. For buyers today: the 0101.06 CPL is still the gold standard, no product is officially 0101.07 certified yet, and the ShotStop case is a reminder that due diligence is always your responsibility. We will keep tracking the rollout and post updates here as the certification list develops.
Up next on September 15: SHOT Show 2027 — key dates, what to expect, and how to register if you are planning to attend.
Official NIJ Resources
Everything referenced in this post comes directly from NIJ and CJTTEC. Bookmark these — they are the only authoritative sources for body armor compliance information in the United States:
- NIJ Body Armor Performance Standards & Compliance Testing — the main hub for all standards and CPL access
- NIJ Compliant Products List (CPL) — search verified armor models here before you buy
- NIJ Standard 0101.07 — Full Document — download the actual standard including all three addenda
- NIJ Safety Notice — ShotStop Ballistics Removal — the official announcement on the CPL removals
- NIJ CTP Bulletin 2026-01 — regulatory update for RF3 and Level IV manufacturers
- CJTTEC — For Law Enforcement — guidance on the 0101.06 to 0101.07 transition for agencies