Police protective equipment
Phasing out of Home Office Body Armour standard 2007
Please be advised of upcoming changes to the Home Office Body Armour Certification Standards.
As you will be aware, 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.
We are certain you will understand and appreciate the need for this change which will ensure Body Armour remains safe and appropriate for use.
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
FAQs
Has BAS07 been withdrawn?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
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
