I. Core Protection Principle of Riot Shields

1. High-Strength Impact-Resistant Material

1. The main body of the shield is made of polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer materials. These materials have both high strength and high toughness. When hit by hard objects, they will not crack brittlely, but disperse the impact force through their own deformation, avoiding secondary injuries caused by splashing fragments.
2. Structural Force Dissipation Optimization Design
   • The shield surface adopts an arc or curved design, which can effectively deflect the trajectory of projectiles and reduce the frontal impact force; the edges are thickened and edged to improve the impact resistance and prevent edge cracking.
   • The shield body reserves mechanical support points for the grip and arm strap. When force is applied, the impact force is dispersed to the arms and torso, reducing local force damage and ensuring the stability of long-term holding.
3. Ergonomic Adaptation Design

1. Equipped with non-slip rubber grips and adjustable nylon arm straps, suitable for the operating habits of personnel of different body types; some heavy-duty shields are equipped with tactical light strips and observation windows to ensure clear vision and tactical communication efficiency in low-light environments or confrontation scenarios.

II. Core Classifications and Applicable Scenarios of Riot Shields

1. Lightweight Riot Shield

1. Made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), weighing about 1.5-2.5kg, with a size of mostly 80×50cm, and the protection level meets the basic level of EN 13568 standard. It has the advantages of light weight and high transparency, suitable for low-risk scenarios such as daily patrols, small-scale rally persuasion, and traffic control, easy to observe the movement of the other party and avoid conflict escalation.
2. Medium Riot Shield

1. Made of polycarbonate (PC), weighing about 2.5-4kg, with a size of 90×55cm, and the protection level reaches EN 13568 Level 2, which can resist continuous impacts from stick blows and brick throwing. Suitable for medium-scale mass confrontations, street control and other scenarios, it is the standard equipment of regular riot control forces.
2. Heavy-Duty Riot Shield

1. Made of thickened PC board + metal edging, weighing about 4-6kg, with a size of up to 100×60cm, and the protection level reaches EN 13568 Level 3. It has both impact resistance and puncture resistance, and can resist machete slashing and sharp object puncture. Suitable for high-risk scenarios such as large-scale riots and violent assaults, it needs to be used with riot suits and riot helmets, and is suitable for equipping assault teams.
2. Special Riot Shield

1. Upgraded based on heavy-duty shields, it is divided into two types: electric shock riot shields and bulletproof riot shields:
   • The electric shock shield integrates a high-voltage electric shock module, which can implement non-lethal repulsion to close-range attackers;
   • The bulletproof shield is compounded with a bulletproof plate structure, which has both riot control and bulletproof properties, suitable for counter-terrorism and riot control composite tasks, and is the core equipment of special military and police forces.

III. Core Materials of Riot Shields: Technical Balance Between Strength and Lightness

IV. Global Mainstream Certification Standards for Riot Shields

1. European EN 13568 Standard

1. The world's authoritative standard for riot shields, divided into 3 levels according to impact resistance and puncture resistance, clearly specifying indicators such as material impact strength, light transmittance, and weather resistance. It must be marked with CE label to enter the European market.
2. North American NIJ 0108.01 Standard

1. A special certification standard for riot control equipment, focusing on dynamic impact testing and fatigue resistance testing. It requires the shield to withstand more than 50 consecutive stick blows without failure, and is the core basis for North American military and police procurement.
2. Middle East SABER Certification

1. Mandatory in Saudi Arabia, UAE and other countries. It is necessary to complete Product Conformity Certification (PC) and Shipment Conformity Certification (SC). The label must be marked with Arabic protection level, weight and high temperature resistance parameters, suitable for the high-temperature and dusty use environment in the Middle East.

V. Core Points for Selecting Riot Shields

1. Match Mission Risk Level

1. Choose lightweight PMMA shields for low-risk patrols; choose medium PC shields for medium-risk confrontations; choose heavy-duty PC + metal edging shields for high-risk riots, avoiding insufficient protection or excessive load affecting tactical movements.
2. Pay Attention to Material and Process Details

1. Prioritize high-transparency PC materials with no bubbles or scratches on the shield surface; check whether the edge edging is firm, and whether the stitching of the grip and arm strap is strong to ensure that the equipment will not fail in actual combat.
2. Adapt to Team Tactical Needs

1. For large-scale riot control tasks, the shield size must be unified to facilitate the formation of a "shield wall" tactical formation; for special tasks, select electric shock and bulletproof shields as needed to improve tactical disposal efficiency.
2. Recognize Compliant Certifications

1. Exports need to match target market certifications (EN 13568/NIJ 0108.01/SABER), and domestic procurement must comply with the public security department's "Police Riot Shield" standard to avoid failure to be equipped due to lack of certifications.