HOSDB Armour Standards 2007

All Cuirazz Body Armour is Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) certified to the relevant standards by its manufacturer, Jack Ellis Body Protection. Cuirazz Body Armour has one of the few HOSDB certified ladies vests in the UK. One of the difficulties facing body armour manufacturers in the UK selling into non police markets is the lack of independent body armour performance standards or certification. As a result, credible body armour manufacturers in the UK, use the UK Police body armour standards as a benchmark in establishing performance standards or certification. We will gladly present our manufacturer’s certification on request, alternatively please use the link at the foot of this page to use the HOSDB. The UK Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) sets body armour standards to advise the police and other government departments as to the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by their personnel. The HOSDB undertakes exacting tests to establish the standards manufacturers of equipment will meet to be able to be included in the HOSDB database as approved. The standards are all based on actual threats faced by the police, and are agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Operational Requirement.

These standards include:

body armour – ballistic resistant and knife and spike resistant
portable ballistic protection
slash resistance
public order helmets

The standards are produced in collaboration with ACPO and the Police Federation to ensure that police forces are able to select equipment that meets operational requirements.

HOSDB Body Armour Standards (2007) provides a choice to police purchasing units and wearers through seven levels of ballistic protection:

HG1/A: Lightweight, soft armour for use by the unarmed officer on low risk patrol. Suitable for overt/covert use
HG1: General duty soft armour for low risk; overt/covert
HG2: Special duty soft armour intended for firearms operations. Can be used with RF1/SG1 plates. Overt
HG3: Heavy duty armour intended for firearms operations. Can be used with RF/SG plates. Overt
SG1: Offers protection from full length shotguns at close range. Usually used in conjunction with HG2 armour
RF1: Offers protection against soft core ammunition fired from rifles. Usually used in conjunction with HG2
RF2: Protection against steel core high power rifle ammunition, intended for use alongside HG2 or HG3

The standards also provide choice through three levels of knife and spike protection:

KR1 & KR1+SP1: the lowest protection level allowed and tested at a performance level of 24 joules of energy, offering maximum periods of wear in low risk patrol. Suitable for covert or overt use
KR2 & KR2+SP2: a medium protection level, tested at 33 joules, providing a general duty garment for extended wear and may be covert or overt
KR3 & KR3+SP3: a high protection level tested at 43 joules. Suitable for short periods of wear in high risk situations. Normally overt

All of the aforementioned protection levels can be combined to offer dual stab, spike and ballistic protection (most UK forces now routinely issue dual purpose body armour to patrolling officers). In such cases the standard achieved would reflect the ballistic, knife and spike protections to which armour has been certified.

Underpinning a rigorous testing regime, a manufacturer is required to comply with a stringent quality process, including the recertification of armour after the production of 5,000 units. There are separate tests required for ladies armour.

This information has been collated from the HOSDB website and papers authored by officials of the HOSDB

Visit HOSDB Website

Searchable Certified HOSDB PPE Manufacturers Database