Point Blank Enterprises (PBE), a worldwide leader in the production of soft body armor and related protective solutions, announced today that the company qualified and received BA 9000 certification from a third-party registration organization that thoroughly audited and reviewed internal quality management processes. This certification demonstrates an additional level of confidence in Point Blank Enterprises’ ability to meet the needs of law enforcement professionals and consistently produce armor that continues to represent those samples used for initial performance testing.

Point Blank Enterprises is currently registered to ISO 9001:2008(E), Quality Management Systems, which specifies general requirements for a quality management system such that it can be applied to a wide range of products, services, and customers. Point Blank Enterprises has maintained an ISO registration through routine third-party registrar surveillance audits. The latest certification—BA 9000—January 2012: National Institute of Justice Body Armor Quality Management System Requirements (“BA 9000”)—is intended to be implemented and applied (on a voluntary basis) in conjunction with ISO 9001:2008. BA 9000 is the application of ISO 9001 specifically to ballistic-resistant body armor manufacturing. When a manufacturing facility operates a quality management system (QMS) certified as conforming to BA 9000, the manufacturer provides additional confidence in its ability to meet the needs of the law enforcement community and consistently produce armor that continues to represent those used for initial performance at time of testing.  

In general, BA 9000 incorporates the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 in its entirety, with the addition of a set of specific requirements closely aligned with ensuring the integrity and performance of ballistic-resistant body armor. There is a huge emphasis on the protection of ballistic cover and ballistic materials to ensure these materials are protected throughout the entire production cycle (receipt to shipment) against any detrimental environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, contamination, rough handling, and ultraviolet radiation.

Point Blank’s VP of Quality Assurance and Design, Michael Sumner, who led the company through this latest certification process, said, “PBE has driven the highest standards in our approach to concept, process, and manufacturing. Our team is especially excited about the most recent BA 9000 certification, which is a significant milestone in our quality management practices. We will continue to work diligently to improve and innovate.”

Point Blank Enterprises says it strives to develop and enhance carrier designs, ballistic performance, and the best modular, scalable and adaptive body-armor systems on the market. The company says its products are thoroughly field tested to exacting requirements and continue to consistently surpass industry standards.