The most important protection lies within the ballistic insert. It is as unique as the person wearing it. To be optimally equipped for daily duties in law enforcement or military operations, selecting the correct protection level is critical.

Bullet-resistant vest standards are defined through various international protocols. Among these, VPAM stands as one of the most widely adopted standards for ballistic protection in Europe. VPAM protection levels range from VPAM1 to VPAM14.

In this article, we focus on the four most commonly used levels: VPAM3, VPAM6, VPAM7, and VPAM9.

In this article:

Ballistic protection standard - VPAM

VPAM stands for Vereinigung der Prüfstellen für angriffshemmende Materialien und Konstruktionen (Association of Testing Bodies for Attack-Resistant Materials and Constructions). This organization focuses on the research, development, and standardized testing of bullet- and stab-resistant materials.

VPAM guidelines are designed to enhance public safety by ensuring consistent, objective testing procedures across different labs and locations.

Relevant VPAM personal protection test standards include:

More details on these can be found directly on the VPAM website.

VPAM guidelines and testing procedures

Each protection level has its own set of test criteria, including:

VPAM also allows for additional tests, such as alternative angles or specific ammunition types.

Once testing is complete, a certified test report is issued. Products that pass may carry the corresponding VPAM label.

VPAM member organizations

VPAM consists of independent and neutral testing institutions responsible for standardizing and evaluating protective materials. Members are selected by VPAM and currently include organizations from countries such as:

VPAM guidelines are complementary to national and international standards and provide a uniform foundation for testing, comparing, and certifying products.

VPAM and EN ISO/IEC 17025 compliance

The four VPAM protection levels discussed in this article align with EN ISO/IEC 17025, which ensures laboratory testing and calibration standards. A product’s classification depends on its ability to stop specific projectiles at certain velocities.

Most commonly used levels include: VPAM3, VPAM6, VPAM7, and VPAM9.

Choosing the right vest is always a balance between protection, weight, flexibility, cost, and user preference.

What does VPAM 3 mean?

Ballistic data:

What does VPAM 6 mean?

Ballistic data:

What does VPAM 7 mean?

Ballistic data:

What does VPAM 9 mean?

Ballistic data:

VPAM - Protection across various threat levels

VPAM’s structured levels offer flexibility and security across a wide range of threat environments:

• VPAM3 (soft armor): Lightweight, flexible, and ideal against most handgun threats (e.g., 9mm)

• VPAM6 (hard armor): Effective against common long-gun calibers like the AK47

• VPAM7 (hard armor): Designed to protect from high-speed NATO rifle rounds

• VPAM9 (hard armor): Heavy-duty plates capable of stopping armor-piercing rifle rounds

By matching protection levels to operational threats, users can achieve a tailored balance between performance, mobility, and protection.