Body armor performance standards are lists generated by national authorities, of requirements for armor to perform reliably, clearly indicating what the armor may and may not defeat. Different countries have different standards, which may include threats that are not present in other countries.

VPAM armor standard (International) The VPAM scale as of 2009 runs from 1 to 14, with 1-5 being soft armor, and 6-14 being hard armor. Tested armor must withstand three hits, spaced apart, of the designated test threat with no more than of back-face deformation in order to pass. Of note is the inclusion of special regional threats such as Swiss P AP from RUAG and .357 DAG. According to VPAM's website, it is apparently used in France and Britain.

The VPAM scale is as follows: Armor LevelProtectionPM 1 .22 Long RifleThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 2.6±0.1 g (40±1.54 gr) .22 Long Rifle lead round-nose bullets at a velocity of 360±10 m/s (1181±33 ft/s)PM 2 9×19mm ParabellumThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of: 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 360±10 m/s (1181±33 ft/s)PM 3 9×19mm ParabellumThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of: 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 415±10 m/s (1361±33 ft/s)PM 4 .357 Magnum .44 MagnumThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of: 10.2±0.1 g (157±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum bullets at a velocity of 430±10 m/s (1410±33 ft/s) 15.6±0.1 g (240±1.54 gr) .44 Magnum bullets at a velocity of 440±10 m/s (1443±33 ft/s)PM 5 .357 MagnumThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of: 7.1±0.1 g (109±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum FMs (brass at nose) bullets at a velocity of 580±10 m/s (1902±33 ft/s)PM 6 7.62×39mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 8.0±0.1 g (122±1.54 gr) 7.62×39mm PS mild steel-core bullets at a velocity of 720±10 m/s (2362±33 ft/s)PM 7 5.56×45mm 7.62×51mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 4.0±0.1 g (62±1.54 gr) 5.56×45mm SS109/US: M855 FMJ bullets at a velocity of 950±10 m/s (3116±33 ft/s) 9.55±0.1 g (147±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm DM111 steel-core bullets at a velocity of 830±10 m/s (2723±33 ft/s)PM 8 7.62×39mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 7.7±0.1 g (118±1.54 gr) 7.62×39mm BZ API (armor-piercing incendiary) bullets at a velocity of 740±10 m/s (2427±33 ft/s)PM 9 7.62×51mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 9.7±0.2 g (149±3.08 gr) 7.62×51mm P80 armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 820±10 m/s (2690±33 ft/s)PM 10 7.62×54mmRThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 10.4±0.1 g (160±1.54 gr) 7.62×54mmR B32 API bullets at a velocity of 860±10 m/s (2821±33 ft/s)PM 11 7.62×51mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 8.4±0.1 g (129±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm Nammo AP8/US M993 armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 930±10 m/s (3051±33 ft/s)PM 12 7.62×51mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 12.7±0.1 g (196±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm RUAG SWISS P AP armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 810±10 m/s (2657±33 ft/s)PM 13 12.7×99mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from an arbitrary distance, of: 43.5±0.1 g (671±7.71 gr) 12.7×99mm RUAG SWISS P penetrator bullets at a velocity of 930±10 m/s (3051±33 ft/s)PM 14 14.5×114mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from an arbitrary distance, of: 63.4±0.1 g (978±7.71 gr) 14.5×114mm B32 API bullets at a velocity of 911±10 m/s (2988±33 ft/s)

TR armor standard (Germany) The Technische Richtlinie (TR) Ballistische Schutzwesten is a regulation guide in Germany for body armor. It is mainly issued for body armor used by the German police, but also for the German armed forces and civilian available body armor. Producers have to meet the criteria of the TR, if they want to participate in open competitive bidding made by German agencies. The TR specifies different Schutzklassen (SK), which translates to protection classes, which a body armor can have. It specifies five different classes ranging from L to 4 of ballistic protection (e.g. SK 4). It also gives specifications for additional Stichschutz (ST), protection against knives, using the same classes as the ballistic protection, but giving it the additional ST label (e.g. SK L ST). The ballistic tests to determine a class are now integrated into the VPAM guidelines, so that the tests differ just in minor details and only one test (SK 1) is significantly different as of 2008.

The TR scale is as follows: Armor LevelProtectionSK L 9×19mm ParabellumThis test is based on VPAM PM 2, but it tests also for point-blank shots.

This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, as well as point-blank shots, of: 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 360±10 m/s (1181±33 ft/s)SK 1 9×19mm ParabellumThis test is based on VPAM PM 3, but it adds two police special rounds, with the following modifications:

This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters in an angle of 25°, as well as 3 shots at point-blank, of: 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 415±10 m/s 6.0±0.1 g 9×19mm Parabellum QD-PEP II/S police special round bullets at a velocity of 460±10 m/s 6.1±0.1 g 9×19mm Parabellum Action 4 police special round bullets at a velocity of 460±10 m/sSK 2 (PM 5) .357 MagnumThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of: 7.1±0.1 g (109±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum FMs (brass at nose) bullets at a velocity of 580±10 m/s (1902±33 ft/s)SK 3 (PM 7) 5.56×45mm 7.62×51mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 4.0±0.1 g (62±1.54 gr) 5.56×45mm SS109/US: M855 FMJ bullets at a velocity of 950±10 m/s (3116±33 ft/s) 9.55±0.1 g (147±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm DM111 steel-core bullets at a velocity of 830±10 m/s (2723±33 ft/s)SK 4 (PM 9) 7.62×51mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: 9.7±0.2 g (149±3.08 gr) 7.62×51mm P80 armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 820±10 m/s (2690±33 ft/s)

The German TR are generally comparable to the American NIJ, but the German TR usually tests more threat scenarios, as there are no point-blank shots as well as no police special rounds. In contrast the NIJ tests for bigger calibers and higher man stopping power. And while the German TR tests smaller calibers and lighter bullets, it also tests more aggressive rounds, as the first test already uses steel FMJ bullets, while the NIJ uses normal FMJ rounds. In addition SK 4, the highest protection class, is specified to withstand three hits, while Level IV needs only to withstand one hit - although by a bigger caliber (7.62×63mm).Unterschied der Ballistische Schutzklasse NIJ und TR - ZentauroN Blog

HOSDB armor standard (United Kingdom) The Home Office Scientific Development Branch is governing standards and testing protocols for police body armor. Armor Level Protection HG1/A This armor would protect against six (three for S-sized panel) hits, fired from 5 meters, of: 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM11 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 365±10 m/s 10.2±0.1 g (158±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum R375M3 JSP bullets at a velocity of 390±10 m/s HG1 This armor would protect against six (three for S-sized panel) hits, fired from 5 meters, of: 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM11 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 365±10 m/s 10.2±0.1 g (158±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum R375M3 JSP bullets at a velocity of 390±10 m/s HG2 This armor would protect against six (three for S-sized panel) hits, fired from 5 meters, of: 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM11 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 390±10 m/s 10.2±0.1 g (158±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum R375M3 JSP bullets at a velocity of 430±10 m/s HG3 This armor would protect against six (three for S-sized panel) hits, fired from 10 meters, of: 4.0±0.1 g (62±1.54 gr) 5.56×45mm LE223T3 bullets at a velocity of 750±15 m/s (3116±33 ft/s) RF1 This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10 meters, of: 9.3±0.1 g (144±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm L2A2 FMJ bullets at a velocity of 830±15 m/s (2723±33 ft/s) RF2 This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10 meters, of: 9.7±0.1 g (150±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm L40A2 steel-core bullets at a velocity of 850±15 m/s (2723±33 ft/s) SG3 This armor would protect against 1 hit, fired from 10 meters, of: 28.4±0.1 g (437±1.54 gr) 12 gauge rifled lead slug at a velocity of 435±25 m/s

BFD (Back Face Deformation) to be measured after each shot, maximum allowed BFD for HG1/A class is and for the rest.

GOST armor standard (Russia) GOST R 50744-95 is the Russian Federation standard for body armor. Prior to the 2017 revision, the threat levels ran from 1 to 6. Noticeably, it included threats with the suffix A, which denote heightened ratings as opposed to lowered ratings in the NIJ standard.

The old (pre-2017) standards are as follows: Armor LevelProtectionClass 1 9×18mm Makarov 7.62×38mmRThis armor would protect against five hits, fired from 5 meters, of: 5.9 g (91 gr) 9×18mm Makarov 57-N-181S steel-core bullets at a velocity of 305–325 m/s (1000–1066 ft/s) 6.8 g (105 gr) 7.62×38mmR 57-N-122 lead core bullets at a velocity of 275–295 m/s (902–968 ft/s). Class 2 5.45×18mm 7.62×25mm TokarevThis armor would protect against five hits, fired from 5 meters, of: 2.5 g (38.6 gr) 5.45×18mm steel-core MPC 7N7 bullets at a velocity of 310–335 m/s (1017–1099 ft/s) 5.5 g (84.8 gr) 7.62×25mm Tokarev steel-core bullets at a velocity of 415–445 m/s (1361–1460 ft/s)Class 2A 12 gaugeThis armor would protect against five hits, fired from 5 meters, of: 35 g (540 gr) 12 gauge lead-core "Hunter" shotshells at a velocity of 390–410 m/s (1279–1345 ft/s)Class 3 5.45×39mm 7.62×39mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of: 3.4 g (52 gr) 5.45×39mm 7N6 (PS) hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 890–910 m/s (2920–2985 ft/s) 7.9 g (122 gr) 7.62×39mm 57-N-231 (PS) hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 710–740 m/s (2329–2427 ft/s)Class 4 5.45×39mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of: 3.4 g (52 gr) 5.45×39mm 7N10 (PP) hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 890–910 m/s (2920–2985 ft/s)Class 5 7.62×54mmR 7.62×39mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of: 9.6 g (148 gr) 7.62×54mmR 57-N-323S steel-core bullets at a velocity of 820–840 m/s (2690–2756 ft/s) 7.9 g (122 gr) 7.62×39mm 57-N-231 (PS) hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 710–740 m/s (2329–2427 ft/s)Class 5A 7.62×39mmThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of: 7.4 g (114 gr) 7.62×39mm 57-BZ-231 (BZ API) armor-piercing incendiary bullets at a velocity of 720–750 m/s (2362–2460 ft/s).Class 6 7.62×54mmRThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of: 9.6 g (148 gr) 7.62×54mmR ST-M2 hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 820–840 m/s (2690–2756 ft/s)Class 6A 7.62×54mmRThis armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of: 10.4 g (160 gr) 7.62×54mmR 7-BZ-3 (B32 API) armor-piercing incendiary bullets at a velocity of 800–835 m/s (2624–2739 ft/s)