How do I ask a question?
At present, questions are populated by the Home Office technical partner however direct contact details may be available in the future
What is the Compliance process?
The Compliance process is the route a manufacturer must take in order to test their equipment to a Home Office PPE Standard in order to receive recognized certification
Has BAS07 been withdrawn?
Phasing out of Home Office Body Armour standard 2007 (Publication 39/07 – A/B/C) Home Office currently holds two standards: 39/07 Body Armour Standard (2007) and 012/17 Body Armour Standard 2017. It has not been possible to submit new certification to the 2007 Body Armour standard since the introduction of the 2017 standard which supersedes all previous Home Office Body Armour standards. In order for manufacturers and procurement teams to factor changes into their supply schedules, please note that from April 2023 the Home Office 2007 Body Armour standard will be removed and from this date it will no longer be possible to re-certify body armour to the 2007 standard through MQT2.
With effect from 31 May 2022 Home Office will no longer recertify armour where any changes (including like-for-like material changes) are made to armour certified to the Home Office Body Armour 2007 standard. This is ahead of the completed withdrawal of the 2007 standard effective from April 2023. Furthermore, from 01 September 2022, MQT2 will only be permitted against a procurement requirement or UK Police request. Any questions should be channelled through the usual routes
How are ballistic Test Houses accredited?
01/06/2023 - there is currently a new Test House accreditation round in progress and this page will be updated accordingly
Do overalls still need to be able to protect against MIBK as this is shown as required in the 89/08 Standard?
Changes to Home Office Flame Retardant Overall Standard for UK Police (Pub.89/08)
The Home Office is aware that from July 2023 changes to EU/UK regulations may mean that manufacturers are no longer able to produce Flame Retardant Overalls (FROs) compliant with an element of the Home Office FRO standard, namely:
“6.7 (Route 1), 7.6 (Route 2): Protection from Liquids – resistance to penetration by Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK), the solvent used in CS sprays”.
After consultation, the Home Office has taken the decision to allow an exemption to this test from the standard. This change will take place with immediate effect. This will not affect FROs already procured by forces which can continue to be used in line with the manufacturer’s warranty.
Please note:
• Any changes to existing models with an updated construction or material (for example a change of fabric finish from C8 to C6) will require a new model number, technical file submission and full certification testing (either Route 1 or Route 2 as stated in 89/08) conducted for these garments.
• Manufacturers using the British Standard BS7971-10:2014 to certify FROs should opt for all testing requirements set out within the standard, with the exception of the MIBK test, to ensure equipment is tested in line with operational requirements. If all clauses in this standard are met with the exception of protection from MIBK, then there is no requirement for further test, assessment or certification to the Home Office standard 89/08, unless contractually required by the buyer.
• Any questions regarding test or certification should be set to: Declarations@dstl.gov.uk
What is the difference between Area of Coverage and Area of Full protection?
Area of Coverage is the area covered by the guard, however this may not provide sufficient protection across the entire product. The area of Full Protection is the area defined by the manufacturer as providing the level of protection required by the 20/07 Standard and is impact tested as such
Can you test XL helmets as these do not seem to be mentioned in the 21/04 Standard?
Currently assessment of XL helmets is performed on a case by case scenario however consideration is being given to increasing the head form sizes used to test against this standard.
Can I test a Portable Ballistic Shield that is smaller than the sizes shown in the Standard?
Yes- assessment and approval to test is performed on a case by case scenario however it is possible to achieve certification with a bespoke sized shield
Where can I test my Slash Resistant Material?
The Slash Resistant material test is currently suspended due to technical issues however should be resolved in the near future.
