To date, all armor of NIJ-certified models has performed as rated in service, but so has uncertified armor, including armor that would fail the test specified by the standard. This has led to charges that the NIJ test is too stringent and fails to discriminate some safe armor from unsafe armor. The purpose of this study was to clarify the issue of whether NIJ Standard 0101.03 should be revised, and if so, what actions Congress might take. In requesting this report, Congress would like to know whether the standard is informative and fair to purchasers and wearers of armor, as well as to manufacturers of armor and its component materials. This report describes illustrative specifications of acceptable risks and an experimental method for deciding whether the current test, or any proposed alternative, limits the risks as required. It also describes and compares several options for a quality-control program. The Office of Technology Assessment finds that resolving the controversies associated with the NIJ Standard will require specifying acceptable risks quantitatively, performing additional research to test validity, and implementing a quality-control program. Options for the Department of Justice, other policy options, and legislative options are outlined. 13 figures, 3 tables, and a 168-item bibliography