ASTM International’s homeland security applications committee (E54) has published three standards that are designed to assess the performance of protective equipment used by law enforcement officers. These standards cover public order helmets (E3342); ballistic-resistant shields (E3347); and ballistic-resistant helmets (E3368).
In addition to publishing the standards, ASTM has established a verification program to evaluate and verify that these protective products meet the relevant standard.
“The standards form the basis for the new ASTM verification program intended to have an independent, third party organization evaluate a product against the appropriate standard,” says Anna Seiple, program director for the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), an ASTM International affiliate. “Those products that are successfully verified will be included in an online listening of verified products, will receive authorization to have the ASTM verification mark placed on them, and will undergo annual testing to assess continued compliance.”
Verification gives end users a high level of confidence in a product’s performance. There are a variety of other benefits, relevant to key stakeholders.
For purchasers, the program will greatly simplify the purchasing process by eliminating (or at least reducing) challenges caused by unverified supplier claims of equipment performance; incomplete, confusing, or misleading information about equipment performance; and false advertising about equipment performance. A purchaser can require ASTM verification as a condition for purchasing a product and then check the online verified products list to see whether the product(s) being offered by a supplier has been verified.
For manufacturers, the program will enable them to distinguish their ASTM-verified products from those that do not meet standards.
For end users, the program allows them to check their individual helmets or shields to see whether the ASTM-verified mark is present.
The ASTM verification program began in late January with public order helmets. Ballistic helmets and shields will be added to the program within a few months. For more information, contact Anna Seiple at aseiple@seinet.org.
Other law enforcement products expected to be added to the verification program will include protective helmets for pedestrian roadway workers, less lethal impact rounds, public order shields, and public order torso and limb protection.
Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; dbergels@astm.org
Committee Contact: Kevin Shanahan, tel +1.610.832.9660 ; kshanahan@astm.org
Release #11630
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