NIJ 0101.07 Explained
NIJ 0101.07 is finally here. For nearly two decades, the body armor industry has relied on NIJ Standard 0101.06, which introduced familiar protection levels like Level II, IIIA, III, and IV.
That era is coming to an end.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has officially introduced NIJ Standard 0101.07, representing the biggest change to body armor testing since 2008. Rather than simply renaming protection levels, the new standard modernizes testing methods, updates ballistic threats, improves consistency between laboratories, and introduces an entirely new rifle category.
If you’re shopping for body armor, you’re probably wondering:
- Does NIJ 0101.07 replace Level III and Level IV?
- Is my current armor obsolete?
- What is RF2?
- Should I wait before buying armor?
The short answer is no—your existing NIJ 06 compliant armor is generally not obsolete, with a few exceptions. However, understanding the new standard will help you make better purchasing decisions going forward. The NIJ has stated it expects to maintain the NIJ 0101.06 Compliant Products List through at least the end of 2029 while manufacturers transition to the new standard.
What Is NIJ Standard 0101.07?
NIJ 0101.07 is the newest performance standard for ballistic-resistant body armor used by U.S. law enforcement. It updates both how armor is tested and how protection levels are categorized.
One of the biggest structural changes is that ballistic protection levels are no longer embedded within the body armor standard itself. Instead, NIJ 0101.07 references a separate specification—NIJ Standard 0123.00—which defines the ballistic protection levels and associated test threats. This modular approach makes it easier for NIJ to update threat levels in the future without rewriting the entire armor standard.
Major improvements include:
- More realistic modern ballistic threats
- New handgun (HG) and rifle (RF) naming system
- Introduction of RF2 protection
- Updated laboratory testing procedures
- Improved female body armor testing
- Greater consistency using ASTM testing standards
- Enhanced quality assurance requirements
Why Did NIJ Change the Names?
Many buyers are confused by the roman numeral system.
Many consumers assumed:
- Level IIIA was better than or the same as Level III.
- Level IV only defeated armor-piercing rounds.
- Soft armor and rifle armor were part of one continuous scale.
None of those assumptions were entirely accurate.
The new names are much clearer:
- HG = Handgun
- RF = Rifle
Instead of memorizing Roman numerals, buyers can immediately identify whether armor is designed for handgun or rifle threats. This also gives NIJ room to add future threat categories without disrupting the naming convention
What Does NIJ 0101.07 HG1 Protect Against?
NIJ 0101.07 HG1 replaces the old Level II. NIJ Level IIA has no equivalent and is eliminated moving forward.
It is intended for common handgun threats and is generally used in lightweight soft armor worn by law enforcement officers.
Typical threats include:
- 9mm FMJ
- .357 Magnum JSP
HG1 will not defeat rifle threats.
What Does NIJ 0101.07 HG2 Protect Against?
NIJ 0101.07 HG2 replaces the familiar Level IIIA.
This remains the highest standard handgun protection level.
HG2 protects against more powerful handgun ammunition, including:
- 9mm
- .357 SIG
- .44 Magnum
NIJ designed HG2 for handgun protection—not rifle rounds.
What Is RF1?
NIJ 0101.07 RF1 replaces Level III.
RF1 is designed for common rifle threats, including rounds such as 7.62×51mm NATO M80 Ball and newly specified rifle threats such as 5.56 M193 and 7.62X39 MSC. This is to ensure that products like obsolete steel plates that can defeat 7.62X51 but not common 5.56X45 FMJ will no longer pass NIJ compliance testing and put users in danger.
RF2 Is the Biggest Change
The most significant addition to NIJ 0101.07 is RF2.
There was previously a large performance gap between:
- Level III
- Level IV
Many modern rifle threats—including 5.56mm M855 “green tip” and certain 7.62×39mm threats—did not fit neatly between those categories. Previously, manufacturers designated these as, “III+” plates. However, they were not compliance tested by NIJ for these mid-level penetrator threats.
RF2 looks to fill that gap.
RF2 includes all RF1 threats plus M855 “green tip” 5.56X45 penetrator rounds.
For many civilian, law enforcement, and prepared citizen applications, RF2 may become one of the most practical protection levels available.
RF3 Replaces Level IV
RF3 replaces the familiar Level IV.
NIJ 0101.07 RF3 is the highest rifle protection category in the NIJ system and will defeat 30-06 M2AP and subordinate armor-piercing rifle threats. While RF3 generally corresponds to the same ballistic protection expectations people associate with Level IV, products must meet the new specific testing requirements of NIJ 0101.07 and NIJ 0123.00 to claim RF3 compliance.
Other Important Changes in NIJ 0101.07
Beyond the new naming system, NIJ has introduced several technical improvements:
- Adoption of ASTM-based laboratory methods to improve consistency.
- More representative modern threat profiles.
- Enhanced quality control and laboratory procedures.
- Updated testing for armor designed for women, including improved clay backing methods and shot placement around shaping features.
- Separation of threat definitions (NIJ 0123.00) from test procedures (NIJ 0101.07).
Does NIJ 0101.07 Replace NIJ 0101.06?
Yes—but not overnight.
NIJ 0101.07 is the current standard moving forward, but NIJ recognizes that thousands of agencies and millions of armor users still rely on 0101.06-certified products.
Because of this:
- Manufacturers will continue selling 0101.06-certified armor.
- Existing certifications remain valid.
- The NIJ Compliance Testing Program expects to maintain the 0101.06 Compliant Products List through at least the end of 2029 while NIJ 0101.07-certified products become more common.
Should You Replace Your Current Armor?
In most cases, no.
If your armor is:
- Still within its service life
- Still within its warranty period
- Properly maintained
- Genuine NIJ 0101.06, NIJ 0101.07-certified or otherwise appropriately tested for its intended purpose
- Appropriate for the threats you expect to face
There is generally no reason to replace it solely because the standard changed, unless you are looking for some of the new requirements such as improved labeling.
The new standard primarily affects future certifications and product development, not the protective capability of armor that already meets the previous standard.
However, you should know that many Level III plates that previously cleared the NIJ 0101.06 hurdle are the very reason the new NIJ 0101.07 system includes 5.56 M193. Many steel plates could not pass 5.56 M193–the most common rifle round in America–even though they passed M80 and are still certified Level III. If you are currently wearing steel plates, it is highly advisable to purchase new armor as soon as you can. If you aren’t sure which plates to use, you can look for a new NIJ 0101.07 RF1, RF2, or RF3 certification to be sure. Otherwise, contact armor manufacturers for testing reports demonstrating Level IV performance or performance specifically against 5.56 M193 to be sure.
What Does This Mean for Body Armor Buyers?
If you’re purchasing body armor today:
- Continue to verify whether the product is NIJ-certified or independently tested, as appropriate.
- Understand that NIJ 0101.07 HG ratings apply to handgun threats, while RF ratings apply to rifle threats.
- Expect to see more RF2 products enter the market as manufacturers complete certification under the new standard.
- Choose armor based on the threats you need protection against—not simply the highest rating available.
Final Thoughts
NIJ 0101.07 is more than a name change. It modernizes body armor testing to better reflect today’s ballistic threats, introduces a clearer HG/RF nomenclature system, adds the important RF2 category, and improves testing consistency and quality. As a result, RMA is currently working its way through the process for NIJ 07 compliance of certain body armor products.
For buyers, the key takeaway is simple: your existing NIJ 0101.06 armor remains relevant, but future products will increasingly be certified under NIJ 0101.07. NIJ closed 0101.06 for testing and no new products will be certified under the old protocol. As the transition continues, understanding the new HG and RF ratings will make it much easier to compare products and choose armor that matches your mission and expected threat environment.
NIJ 0101.07 is designed to make body armor ratings more transparent, more consistent, and better aligned with the real-world threats faced by law enforcement officers, military professional, and prepared citizens.