What do our Symbols mean?
VestGuard manufacture products to specific threat levels according to the threats our customers will face in their daily lives.
To make life easier for customers we have identified the threats using a range of symbols for easy referencing
 | Stab and Knife Protection Protection against knives and edged weapons. The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
 | Spike and Needle Protection Protection against spikes and needles. The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
 | Blunt Force Trauma Protection Helps to minimise effects from punches, blows, kicks and other blunt force trauma attacks. |
 | Explosion and Fragmentation Protection Explosions and fragments from IEDs and dynamite are a common threat in hostile environments and demining missions. The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
 | 9mm Pistol Handgun Protection A popular weapon across the world, and easily available and concealable in clothing. The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
 | .357 Magnum Handgun Protection A powerful weapon, and like the 9mm easily available and concealable in clothing. The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
 | .44 Magnum Handgun Protection The most powerful handgun currently available in the World and a difficult round to stop. The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
 | 7.62 x 51mm NATO Ball Rifle Protection A common weapon used in common warfare and denotes this product conforms to NIJ level III ballistic protection standard. The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. . The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
 | 7.62 x 39mm AK47 Rifle Protection A notorious weapon and the most commonly available in the world. This is the popular choice for press and security as the one to stop with their body armour in hostile environments. The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
 | 5.56 x 45mm SS109 Rifle Protection Encountered in the heat of battle, the SS109 is a formidable round because it is slower than a standard bullet which makes it harder to stop. The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
 | 7.62 x 63mm 30.06 Armour Piercing Sniper Rifle Protection This round can kill from over a mile away and can eve penetrate tank armour and denotes this product conforms to NIJ level IV ballistic protection standard, the highest standard currently available on the market. This round can be stopped and VestGuard can stop it in a plate just 17mm thick . The level of protection is indicated in the table below the symbol. |
Ballistic Standards
All ballistic products made or supplied by VestGuard UK are manufactured in accordance to the standard which has been identified in the product description. We use independent accredited test facilities to regularly test our products to ensure they continue to meet the very latest standards required by our customers, with many products under test conditions often outperforming the standards. Our products are designed to protect our customers and have been developed and verified through in-house, independent and customer testing for over 15 years.
National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
This is considered the most widely used internationally recognised standard. The standard covers protection against small handguns and anything up to armour piercing rifles. The standard is used for body armour, helmets and other armour solutions on the market, such as vehicle armour and shields.
This standard is split into levels of protection designated by roman numerals.
NIJ level II (2) | Small handgun protection |
NIJ level IIIA (3a) | High velocity handguns |
NIJ level III (3) | Rifles |
NIJ level IV (4) | Armour piercing rifles |
Threat Level | Bullet Calibre and Type | Image | Bullet Mass | Impact | Velocity |
| | | (grains) | ft/s | m/s |
NIJ level II (2) | 9mm FMJ RN |  | 124 | 1205 | 367 |
| .357 Magnum JSP |  | 158 | 1430 | 436 |
NIJ level IIIA (3a) | 9mm FMJ RN |  | 124 | 1430 | 436 |
| .44 Magnum SJHP |  | 240 | 1430 | 436 |
NIJ level III (3) | 7.62x62mm NATO FMJ (M80 Ball) |  | 148 | 2780 | 847 |
NIJ level IV (4) | .30 calibre AP M2 30.06 |  | 166 | 2880 | 878 |
UK Home Office (CAST)
The UK standards are set by the Home Office for the protection of police and government bodies. Adopted by many security and private companies in the UK, the protection covers a full range of threats including handguns (HG), edged weapons like knives (KR), needles, spikes (SP) and rifles (RF). The higher the threat the higher the number, i.e. HG1, HG2.
Performance Level | Calibre | Bullet Mass | Trauma (mm) | Velocity (m/s) |
HG1/A | 9mm FMJ 0.357 Magnum SP FN Remington | 8.0g (124 grain) 10.2g (158 grain) | 44 | 365 +/-10 390 +/-10 |
HG1 | 9mm FMJ 0.357 Magnum SP FN Remington | 8.0g (124 grain) 10.2g (158 grain) | 25 | 365 +/-10 390 +/-10 |
HG2 | 9mm FMJ 0.357 Magnum SP FN Remington | 8.0g (124 grain) 10.2g (158 grain) | 25 | 430 +/-10 455 +/-10 |
Protection Levels | Energy Level E1 (joules) | Maximum Penetration at E1 (mm) | Energy Level E2 (joules) | Maximum Penetration at E2 (mm) |
KR1 | 24 | 7 | 36 | 20* |
SP1 | 24 | 0* | N/A | N/A |
KR2 | 33 | 7 | 50 | 20* |
SP2 | 33 | 0* | N/A | N/A |
NATO STANAG 2920 FRAGMENTATION
This is the military standard for ballistic protection & armour solutions for military applications.
STANAG 2920: The adoption of standards for ballistic protection levels and testing relates typically to the levels of fragmentation protection that vests offer. The technical details are complicated but the results are identified as a V50 rating in metres or feet per second. VestGuard armour and helmets all have a V50 rating.
Quality Standards
ISO 2001:2008 Standards
ISO is a world renowned quality management system which all companies should follow to ensure exacting quality procedures are met to provide the best product to customers. VestGuard is ISO accredited and we work to this procedure every day to provide consistently high quality products to our customers.
CE Marking Standards
CE marking is a mandatory conformity for products placed on the market in the European Union. With CE marking on our products we declare that these products conform with the essential requirements for body armour supplied to civilians and government agencies. Our vests have performed to ‘excellent’ standards for ergonomics, comfort and protection. CE marking is a legal requirement when purchasing body armour for civilian use.
Military Standards
VestGuard supply to many government and military forces across the world. Our vests must conform to military specifications for material quality, manufacturing quality and longevity.
The VestGuard outer covers are designed to endure extreme use and weather conditions. Manufactured using highest quality materials, each cover must comply with the following performance requirements.
Performance Requirements | | Test Standards |
Abrasion Resistance (12kPa) | 200,000 rubs | BS ENISO12947-2:1999 |
Tear Strength | 100 N Minimum | BS ENISO13937-3:200 |
Tensile Strength | 1200 N Minimum | BS ENISO13934-1:1999 |
Colour Fastness | Level 4 Re Colour Change Level 3 Re Staining | BS ENISO105-E04:1996 |