diff --git a/dev/ppc64le/README.md b/dev/ppc64le/README.md
index def9e7e7ef..de50aeaaca 100644
--- a/dev/ppc64le/README.md
+++ b/dev/ppc64le/README.md
@@ -2,6 +2,5 @@
 
 # ppc64le backend (little endian)
 
-This directory contains a native backend for little endian POWER 9 (ppc64le) and above systems.
-Or, Power systems supporting ISA 2.07 and above.
-
+This directory contains a native backend for little endian PPC64.
+It requires POWER8 or above as well as the AltiVec and VSX extensions.
diff --git a/dev/ppc64le/meta.h b/dev/ppc64le/meta.h
index e10ecd6907..882f9aeef4 100644
--- a/dev/ppc64le/meta.h
+++ b/dev/ppc64le/meta.h
@@ -28,52 +28,48 @@
 MLK_MUST_CHECK_RETURN_VALUE
 static MLK_INLINE int mlk_ntt_native(int16_t data[MLKEM_N])
 {
-#if defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
+  }
   mlk_ntt_ppc_asm(data, mlk_ppc_qdata);
   return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_SUCCESS;
-#else
-  (void)data;
-  return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
-#endif
 }
 
 #if !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API) || !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API)
 MLK_MUST_CHECK_RETURN_VALUE
 static MLK_INLINE int mlk_intt_native(int16_t data[MLKEM_N])
 {
-#if defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
+  }
   mlk_intt_ppc_asm(data, mlk_ppc_qdata);
   return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_SUCCESS;
-#else
-  (void)data;
-  return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
-#endif
 }
 #endif /* !MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API || !MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API */
 
 MLK_MUST_CHECK_RETURN_VALUE
 static MLK_INLINE int mlk_poly_reduce_native(int16_t data[MLKEM_N])
 {
-#if defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
+  }
   mlk_reduce_ppc_asm(data, mlk_ppc_qdata);
   return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_SUCCESS;
-#else
-  (void)data;
-  return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
-#endif
 }
 
 #if !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API)
 MLK_MUST_CHECK_RETURN_VALUE
 static MLK_INLINE int mlk_poly_tomont_native(int16_t data[MLKEM_N])
 {
-#if defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
+  }
   mlk_poly_tomont_ppc_asm(data, mlk_ppc_qdata);
   return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_SUCCESS;
-#else
-  (void)data;
-  return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
-#endif
 }
 #endif /* !MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API */
 #endif /* !__ASSEMBLER__ */
diff --git a/dev/ppc64le/src/consts.c b/dev/ppc64le/src/consts.c
index f6e1abd5b9..ec700ac6f0 100644
--- a/dev/ppc64le/src/consts.c
+++ b/dev/ppc64le/src/consts.c
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 #include "../../../common.h"
 
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED)
 
 #include "consts.h"
 
@@ -296,4 +296,4 @@ MLK_ALIGN MLK_INTERNAL_DATA_DEFINITION const int16_t mlk_ppc_qdata[2072] = {
 /* clang-format on */
 
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && \
-          !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED && __POWER8_VECTOR__ */
+          !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED */
diff --git a/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_intt_ppc_asm.S b/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_intt_ppc_asm.S
index 3a67ee8e6b..c702a281dd 100644
--- a/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_intt_ppc_asm.S
+++ b/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_intt_ppc_asm.S
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "../../../common.h"
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__) && \
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && \
     (!defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API) || \
      !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API))
 /*yaml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
   ABI:
     Architecture: powerpc64le
     CallingConvention: ELFv2
-    Features: [VSX]
+    Features: [POWER8_VECTOR]
     r3:
       type: buffer
       size_bytes: 512
@@ -1004,5 +1004,4 @@ mlk_intt_ppc_asm_Loopf:
 
 /* simpasm: footer-start */
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED \
-          && __POWER8_VECTOR__ && (!MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API || \
-          !MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API) */
+          && (!MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API || !MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API) */
diff --git a/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_ntt_ppc_asm.S b/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_ntt_ppc_asm.S
index d88738a792..0319d96bea 100644
--- a/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_ntt_ppc_asm.S
+++ b/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_ntt_ppc_asm.S
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "../../../common.h"
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED)
 /*yaml
   Name: ntt_ppc_asm
   Description: PowerPC64 VSX forward NTT
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
   ABI:
     Architecture: powerpc64le
     CallingConvention: ELFv2
-    Features: [VSX]
+    Features: [POWER8_VECTOR]
     r3:
       type: buffer
       size_bytes: 512
@@ -767,4 +767,4 @@ MLK_ASM_FN_SYMBOL(ntt_ppc_asm)
 
 /* simpasm: footer-start */
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED \
-          && __POWER8_VECTOR__ */
+        */
diff --git a/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.S b/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.S
index 52f93d3cb3..13e427b4b1 100644
--- a/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.S
+++ b/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.S
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 #include "../../../common.h"
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__) && \
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && \
     !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API)
 /*yaml
   Name: poly_tomont_ppc_asm
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
   ABI:
     Architecture: powerpc64le
     CallingConvention: ELFv2
-    Features: [VSX]
+    Features: [POWER8_VECTOR]
     r3:
       type: buffer
       size_bytes: 512
@@ -242,4 +242,4 @@ MLK_ASM_FN_SYMBOL(poly_tomont_ppc_asm)
 
 /* simpasm: footer-start */
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED \
-          && __POWER8_VECTOR__ && !MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API */
+          && !MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API */
diff --git a/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_reduce_ppc_asm.S b/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_reduce_ppc_asm.S
index 9795d70bb4..1b4e43fabb 100644
--- a/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_reduce_ppc_asm.S
+++ b/dev/ppc64le/src/mlkem_reduce_ppc_asm.S
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  */
 #include "../../../common.h"
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED)
 /*yaml
   Name: reduce_ppc_asm
   Description: PowerPC64 VSX modular reduction
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
   ABI:
     Architecture: powerpc64le
     CallingConvention: ELFv2
-    Features: [VSX]
+    Features: [POWER8_VECTOR]
     r3:
       type: buffer
       size_bytes: 512
@@ -463,4 +463,4 @@ MLK_ASM_FN_SYMBOL(reduce_ppc_asm)
 
 /* simpasm: footer-start */
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED \
-          && __POWER8_VECTOR__ */
+        */
diff --git a/mlkem/mlkem_native.c b/mlkem/mlkem_native.c
index 84adf0806c..840734539e 100644
--- a/mlkem/mlkem_native.c
+++ b/mlkem/mlkem_native.c
@@ -684,6 +684,7 @@
 #undef MLK_SYS_LINUX
 #undef MLK_SYS_LITTLE_ENDIAN
 #undef MLK_SYS_PPC64LE
+#undef MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR
 #undef MLK_SYS_RISCV32
 #undef MLK_SYS_RISCV64
 #undef MLK_SYS_RISCV64_RVV
diff --git a/mlkem/mlkem_native_asm.S b/mlkem/mlkem_native_asm.S
index e0a0213c57..f393c22dfa 100644
--- a/mlkem/mlkem_native_asm.S
+++ b/mlkem/mlkem_native_asm.S
@@ -715,6 +715,7 @@
 #undef MLK_SYS_LINUX
 #undef MLK_SYS_LITTLE_ENDIAN
 #undef MLK_SYS_PPC64LE
+#undef MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR
 #undef MLK_SYS_RISCV32
 #undef MLK_SYS_RISCV64
 #undef MLK_SYS_RISCV64_RVV
diff --git a/mlkem/src/native/meta.h b/mlkem/src/native/meta.h
index dbd07a5bda..d12726db2a 100644
--- a/mlkem/src/native/meta.h
+++ b/mlkem/src/native/meta.h
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
  */
 #include "../sys.h"
 
-#ifdef MLK_SYS_AARCH64_NEON
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_AARCH64_NEON)
 #include "aarch64/meta.h"
 #endif
 
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 #include "riscv64/meta.h"
 #endif
 
-#ifdef MLK_SYS_PPC64LE
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
 #include "ppc64le/meta.h"
 #endif
 
diff --git a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/README.md b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/README.md
index 733e32e113..de50aeaaca 100644
--- a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/README.md
+++ b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/README.md
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@
 
 # ppc64le backend (little endian)
 
-This directory contains a native backend for little endian POWER 9 (ppc64le) and above systems.
-Or, Power systems supporting ISA 2.07 and above.
+This directory contains a native backend for little endian PPC64.
+It requires POWER8 or above as well as the AltiVec and VSX extensions.
diff --git a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/meta.h b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/meta.h
index 2f292432df..94923174af 100644
--- a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/meta.h
+++ b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/meta.h
@@ -28,52 +28,48 @@
 MLK_MUST_CHECK_RETURN_VALUE
 static MLK_INLINE int mlk_ntt_native(int16_t data[MLKEM_N])
 {
-#if defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
+  }
   mlk_ntt_ppc_asm(data, mlk_ppc_qdata);
   return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_SUCCESS;
-#else
-  (void)data;
-  return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
-#endif
 }
 
 #if !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API) || !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API)
 MLK_MUST_CHECK_RETURN_VALUE
 static MLK_INLINE int mlk_intt_native(int16_t data[MLKEM_N])
 {
-#if defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
+  }
   mlk_intt_ppc_asm(data, mlk_ppc_qdata);
   return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_SUCCESS;
-#else
-  (void)data;
-  return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
-#endif
 }
 #endif /* !MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API || !MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API */
 
 MLK_MUST_CHECK_RETURN_VALUE
 static MLK_INLINE int mlk_poly_reduce_native(int16_t data[MLKEM_N])
 {
-#if defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
+  }
   mlk_reduce_ppc_asm(data, mlk_ppc_qdata);
   return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_SUCCESS;
-#else
-  (void)data;
-  return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
-#endif
 }
 
 #if !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API)
 MLK_MUST_CHECK_RETURN_VALUE
 static MLK_INLINE int mlk_poly_tomont_native(int16_t data[MLKEM_N])
 {
-#if defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
+  }
   mlk_poly_tomont_ppc_asm(data, mlk_ppc_qdata);
   return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_SUCCESS;
-#else
-  (void)data;
-  return MLK_NATIVE_FUNC_FALLBACK;
-#endif
 }
 #endif /* !MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API */
 #endif /* !__ASSEMBLER__ */
diff --git a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/consts.c b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/consts.c
index f6e1abd5b9..ec700ac6f0 100644
--- a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/consts.c
+++ b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/consts.c
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 #include "../../../common.h"
 
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED)
 
 #include "consts.h"
 
@@ -296,4 +296,4 @@ MLK_ALIGN MLK_INTERNAL_DATA_DEFINITION const int16_t mlk_ppc_qdata[2072] = {
 /* clang-format on */
 
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && \
-          !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED && __POWER8_VECTOR__ */
+          !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED */
diff --git a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_intt_ppc_asm.S b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_intt_ppc_asm.S
index cd6929f6ac..e665bc0da2 100644
--- a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_intt_ppc_asm.S
+++ b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_intt_ppc_asm.S
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "../../../common.h"
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__) && \
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && \
     (!defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API) || \
      !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API))
 /*yaml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
   ABI:
     Architecture: powerpc64le
     CallingConvention: ELFv2
-    Features: [VSX]
+    Features: [POWER8_VECTOR]
     r3:
       type: buffer
       size_bytes: 512
@@ -3238,8 +3238,7 @@ mlk_intt_ppc_asm_Loopf:
 MLK_ASM_FN_SIZE(intt_ppc_asm)
 
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED \
-          && __POWER8_VECTOR__ && (!MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API || \
-          !MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API) */
+          && (!MLK_CONFIG_NO_ENCAPS_API || !MLK_CONFIG_NO_DECAPS_API) */
 
 #if defined(__ELF__)
 .section .note.GNU-stack,"",%progbits
diff --git a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_ntt_ppc_asm.S b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_ntt_ppc_asm.S
index 09ec84a966..cd9c7b810a 100644
--- a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_ntt_ppc_asm.S
+++ b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_ntt_ppc_asm.S
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "../../../common.h"
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED)
 /*yaml
   Name: ntt_ppc_asm
   Description: PowerPC64 VSX forward NTT
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
   ABI:
     Architecture: powerpc64le
     CallingConvention: ELFv2
-    Features: [VSX]
+    Features: [POWER8_VECTOR]
     r3:
       type: buffer
       size_bytes: 512
@@ -1665,7 +1665,7 @@ MLK_ASM_FN_SYMBOL(ntt_ppc_asm)
 MLK_ASM_FN_SIZE(ntt_ppc_asm)
 
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED \
-          && __POWER8_VECTOR__ */
+        */
 
 #if defined(__ELF__)
 .section .note.GNU-stack,"",%progbits
diff --git a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.S b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.S
index 3e430638d3..7a9be58fa3 100644
--- a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.S
+++ b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.S
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 #include "../../../common.h"
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__) && \
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && \
     !defined(MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API)
 /*yaml
   Name: poly_tomont_ppc_asm
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
   ABI:
     Architecture: powerpc64le
     CallingConvention: ELFv2
-    Features: [VSX]
+    Features: [POWER8_VECTOR]
     r3:
       type: buffer
       size_bytes: 512
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ MLK_ASM_FN_SYMBOL(poly_tomont_ppc_asm)
 MLK_ASM_FN_SIZE(poly_tomont_ppc_asm)
 
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED \
-          && __POWER8_VECTOR__ && !MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API */
+          && !MLK_CONFIG_NO_KEYPAIR_API */
 
 #if defined(__ELF__)
 .section .note.GNU-stack,"",%progbits
diff --git a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_reduce_ppc_asm.S b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_reduce_ppc_asm.S
index e82376c74b..c3fffcf3f4 100644
--- a/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_reduce_ppc_asm.S
+++ b/mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_reduce_ppc_asm.S
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  */
 #include "../../../common.h"
 #if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \
-    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED)
 /*yaml
   Name: reduce_ppc_asm
   Description: PowerPC64 VSX modular reduction
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
   ABI:
     Architecture: powerpc64le
     CallingConvention: ELFv2
-    Features: [VSX]
+    Features: [POWER8_VECTOR]
     r3:
       type: buffer
       size_bytes: 512
@@ -724,7 +724,7 @@ MLK_ASM_FN_SYMBOL(reduce_ppc_asm)
 MLK_ASM_FN_SIZE(reduce_ppc_asm)
 
 #endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED \
-          && __POWER8_VECTOR__ */
+        */
 
 #if defined(__ELF__)
 .section .note.GNU-stack,"",%progbits
diff --git a/mlkem/src/sys.h b/mlkem/src/sys.h
index b93882257e..5b65630106 100644
--- a/mlkem/src/sys.h
+++ b/mlkem/src/sys.h
@@ -74,6 +74,14 @@
 #define MLK_SYS_PPC64LE
 #endif
 
+/* Check if the PPC64LE compilation target supports the vector instructions
+ * used by the POWER8 backend: AltiVec/VMX, VSX, and POWER8 vector extensions
+ * (Power ISA 2.07). AltiVec predates POWER8; VSX was introduced in POWER7. */
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE) && defined(__ALTIVEC__) && defined(__VSX__) && \
+    defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)
+#define MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR
+#endif
+
 #if defined(__riscv) && defined(__riscv_xlen) && __riscv_xlen == 64
 #define MLK_SYS_RISCV64
 #endif
@@ -281,7 +289,10 @@ typedef enum
   MLK_SYS_CAP_AARCH64_NEON,
   MLK_SYS_CAP_AARCH64_SHA3,
   /* Armv8.1-M */
-  MLK_SYS_CAP_ARMV81M_MVE
+  MLK_SYS_CAP_ARMV81M_MVE,
+  /* PowerPC64 */
+  /* AltiVec/VMX, VSX, and POWER8 vector extensions (Power ISA 2.07). */
+  MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR
 } mlk_sys_cap;
 #endif /* !__ASSEMBLER__ */
 
diff --git a/scripts/autogen b/scripts/autogen
index 2b1ab95284..cf47c21a8e 100755
--- a/scripts/autogen
+++ b/scripts/autogen
@@ -2276,7 +2276,7 @@ def gen_ppc64le_zeta_files():
         yield '#include "../../../common.h"'
         yield ""
         yield "#if defined(MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT) && \\"
-        yield "    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED) && defined(__POWER8_VECTOR__)"
+        yield "    !defined(MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED)"
         yield ""
         yield '#include "consts.h"'
         yield ""
@@ -2288,7 +2288,7 @@ def gen_ppc64le_zeta_files():
     def gen_c_epilogue():
         yield ""
         yield "#endif /* MLK_ARITH_BACKEND_PPC64LE_DEFAULT && \\"
-        yield "          !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED && __POWER8_VECTOR__ */"
+        yield "          !MLK_CONFIG_MULTILEVEL_NO_SHARED */"
         yield ""
 
     # dev copy: one array, annotated per region, LANES values per line.
@@ -2954,6 +2954,7 @@ def get_syscaps():
         "MLK_SYS_CAP_AARCH64_NEON",
         "MLK_SYS_CAP_AARCH64_SHA3",
         "MLK_SYS_CAP_ARMV81M_MVE",
+        "MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR",
     ]
 
 
@@ -4916,14 +4917,14 @@ ABI_CAPS = {
             "mlkem/src/fips202/native/armv81m/src/keccak_f1600_x4_state_xor_bytes_mve.S",
         ],
     },
-    # VSX is build-time only: every ppc64le kernel requires it, the call
-    # stub saves vr20-vr31 unconditionally, and we never run the binary on
-    # a non-VSX host. No #if guard, no syscap.
-    "VSX": {
+    # NTT/INTT use the POWER8 vector merges vmrgew/vmrgow (ISA 2.07).
+    # AltiVec predates POWER8, and VSX was introduced in POWER7.
+    # All current PPC64 kernels and ABI stubs share the backend's guard.
+    "POWER8_VECTOR": {
         "asm_subdir": "ppc64le",
-        "guard": None,
-        "syscap": None,
-        "description": "PPC64 VSX/Altivec (POWER8)",
+        "guard": "MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR",
+        "syscap": "MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR",
+        "description": "AltiVec/VSX and POWER8 vector extensions (Power ISA 2.07)",
         "cflags": ["-mcpu=power8", "-maltivec", "-mvsx"],
         "aux_files": [
             "test/abicheck/ppc64le/callstub_ppc64le.S",
@@ -5228,7 +5229,7 @@ def gen_abicheck():
 
                 # Emit a runtime mlk_sys_check_capability() skip (returning
                 # MLK_ABICHECK_SKIPPED) per Features cap that has a syscap; caps
-                # without a syscap (build-time-only, e.g. PPC64 VSX) are no-ops here.
+                # without a syscap are no-ops here.
                 # Emitted after the buffer decls to keep C90 mixed-decl-and-code happy.
                 for cap in features:
                     cap_enum = ABI_CAPS[cap]["syscap"]
diff --git a/test/abicheck/README.md b/test/abicheck/README.md
index ba6cd7c81f..c83e1a13f7 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/README.md
+++ b/test/abicheck/README.md
@@ -31,8 +31,10 @@ Before trusting any verdict, `abicheck.c` runs a self-test: hand-written
 corrupters (`<arch>/selftest_<arch>.S`) that each clobber one callee-saved
 register, confirming the checker fires.
 
-The `mlkem/src/.../*.S` sources are assembled directly. On unsupported
-architectures the registry is empty and the driver exits cleanly.
+The `mlkem/src/.../*.S` sources are assembled directly. Compile-time feature
+guards select which checks are registered; a check is skipped if
+`mlk_sys_check_capability()` reports a required feature as unavailable.
+On unsupported architectures the registry is empty and the driver exits cleanly.
 
 ## Code generation
 
diff --git a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/abicheck_ppc64le.mk b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/abicheck_ppc64le.mk
index 7e32c0bc57..acc89c0360 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/abicheck_ppc64le.mk
+++ b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/abicheck_ppc64le.mk
@@ -14,15 +14,15 @@
 
 # Default each cap's file list to empty so the unconditional appends
 # below are safe even when a cap has no kernels on this arch.
-ABICHECK_REQ_VSX_FILES :=
+ABICHECK_REQ_POWER8_VECTOR_FILES :=
 
-# VSX: PPC64 VSX/Altivec (POWER8)
-ABICHECK_REQ_VSX_FILES := \
+# POWER8_VECTOR: AltiVec/VSX and POWER8 vector extensions (Power ISA 2.07)
+ABICHECK_REQ_POWER8_VECTOR_FILES := \
   mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_intt_ppc_asm.S \
   mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_ntt_ppc_asm.S \
   mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.S \
   mlkem/src/native/ppc64le/src/mlkem_reduce_ppc_asm.S \
   test/abicheck/ppc64le/callstub_ppc64le.S \
   test/abicheck/ppc64le/selftest_ppc64le.S
-ABICHECK_REQ_VSX_OBJS := $(call MAKE_OBJS,$(ABICHECK_DIR),$(ABICHECK_REQ_VSX_FILES))
-$(ABICHECK_REQ_VSX_OBJS): CFLAGS += -mcpu=power8 -maltivec -mvsx
+ABICHECK_REQ_POWER8_VECTOR_OBJS := $(call MAKE_OBJS,$(ABICHECK_DIR),$(ABICHECK_REQ_POWER8_VECTOR_FILES))
+$(ABICHECK_REQ_POWER8_VECTOR_OBJS): CFLAGS += -mcpu=power8 -maltivec -mvsx
diff --git a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/callstub_ppc64le.S b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/callstub_ppc64le.S
index 31c14fcd42..caa373d6f2 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/callstub_ppc64le.S
+++ b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/callstub_ppc64le.S
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@
  * CR2-CR4, and LR.
  */
 
+#include "../../../mlkem/src/sys.h"
+
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
+
 #define ST_GPR_ARG 0   /* r3-r10            */
 #define ST_GPR_NV 64   /* r14-r31           */
 #define ST_FPR 208     /* f14-f31           */
@@ -456,6 +460,8 @@ asm_call_stub_ppc64le:
         blr
         .cfi_endproc
 
+#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR */
+
 #if defined(__ELF__)
 .section .note.GNU-stack, "", @progbits
 #endif
diff --git a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_intt_ppc_asm.c b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_intt_ppc_asm.c
index 995f83a677..3f75fe2a2c 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_intt_ppc_asm.c
+++ b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_intt_ppc_asm.c
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 #include "../abicheck_ppc64le.h"
 #include "../checks_ppc64le_all.h"
 
-#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE)
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE) && defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
 
 #include "../../../notrandombytes/notrandombytes.h"
 
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ int check_intt_ppc_asm(void)
   MLK_ALIGN uint8_t buf_r3[512];  /* Input/output polynomial (256 x int16_t) */
   MLK_ALIGN uint8_t buf_r4[4144]; /* Precomputed constants (2072 x int16_t) */
 
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    fprintf(stderr,
+            "ABI check intt_ppc_asm: host lacks AltiVec/VSX and POWER8 vector "
+            "extensions (Power ISA 2.07), skipping\n");
+    return MLK_ABICHECK_SKIPPED;
+  }
+
   for (test_iter = 0; test_iter < MLK_ABICHECK_NUM_TESTS; test_iter++)
   {
     /* Initialize random register state */
@@ -62,4 +70,4 @@ int check_intt_ppc_asm(void)
   return MLK_ABICHECK_PASSED;
 }
 
-#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE */
+#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE && MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR */
diff --git a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_ntt_ppc_asm.c b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_ntt_ppc_asm.c
index 40dab3e356..5a2565fe82 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_ntt_ppc_asm.c
+++ b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_ntt_ppc_asm.c
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 #include "../abicheck_ppc64le.h"
 #include "../checks_ppc64le_all.h"
 
-#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE)
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE) && defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
 
 #include "../../../notrandombytes/notrandombytes.h"
 
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ int check_ntt_ppc_asm(void)
   MLK_ALIGN uint8_t buf_r3[512];  /* Input/output polynomial (256 x int16_t) */
   MLK_ALIGN uint8_t buf_r4[4144]; /* Precomputed constants (2072 x int16_t) */
 
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    fprintf(stderr,
+            "ABI check ntt_ppc_asm: host lacks AltiVec/VSX and POWER8 vector "
+            "extensions (Power ISA 2.07), skipping\n");
+    return MLK_ABICHECK_SKIPPED;
+  }
+
   for (test_iter = 0; test_iter < MLK_ABICHECK_NUM_TESTS; test_iter++)
   {
     /* Initialize random register state */
@@ -61,4 +69,4 @@ int check_ntt_ppc_asm(void)
   return MLK_ABICHECK_PASSED;
 }
 
-#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE */
+#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE && MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR */
diff --git a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.c b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.c
index 69d43e2b3c..cb6c2caf44 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.c
+++ b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_poly_tomont_ppc_asm.c
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 #include "../abicheck_ppc64le.h"
 #include "../checks_ppc64le_all.h"
 
-#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE)
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE) && defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
 
 #include "../../../notrandombytes/notrandombytes.h"
 
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ int check_poly_tomont_ppc_asm(void)
   MLK_ALIGN uint8_t buf_r3[512];  /* Input/output polynomial (256 x int16_t) */
   MLK_ALIGN uint8_t buf_r4[4144]; /* Precomputed constants (2072 x int16_t) */
 
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    fprintf(stderr,
+            "ABI check poly_tomont_ppc_asm: host lacks AltiVec/VSX and POWER8 "
+            "vector extensions (Power ISA 2.07), skipping\n");
+    return MLK_ABICHECK_SKIPPED;
+  }
+
   for (test_iter = 0; test_iter < MLK_ABICHECK_NUM_TESTS; test_iter++)
   {
     /* Initialize random register state */
@@ -62,4 +70,4 @@ int check_poly_tomont_ppc_asm(void)
   return MLK_ABICHECK_PASSED;
 }
 
-#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE */
+#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE && MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR */
diff --git a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_reduce_ppc_asm.c b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_reduce_ppc_asm.c
index c5bbafed9b..f4583760ba 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_reduce_ppc_asm.c
+++ b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks/check_reduce_ppc_asm.c
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 #include "../abicheck_ppc64le.h"
 #include "../checks_ppc64le_all.h"
 
-#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE)
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE) && defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
 
 #include "../../../notrandombytes/notrandombytes.h"
 
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ int check_reduce_ppc_asm(void)
   MLK_ALIGN uint8_t buf_r3[512];  /* Input/output polynomial (256 x int16_t) */
   MLK_ALIGN uint8_t buf_r4[4144]; /* Precomputed constants (2072 x int16_t) */
 
+  if (!mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    fprintf(stderr,
+            "ABI check reduce_ppc_asm: host lacks AltiVec/VSX and POWER8 "
+            "vector extensions (Power ISA 2.07), skipping\n");
+    return MLK_ABICHECK_SKIPPED;
+  }
+
   for (test_iter = 0; test_iter < MLK_ABICHECK_NUM_TESTS; test_iter++)
   {
     /* Initialize random register state */
@@ -62,4 +70,4 @@ int check_reduce_ppc_asm(void)
   return MLK_ABICHECK_PASSED;
 }
 
-#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE */
+#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE && MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR */
diff --git a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks_ppc64le_all.h b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks_ppc64le_all.h
index de497c488d..0c23aaf539 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks_ppc64le_all.h
+++ b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/checks_ppc64le_all.h
@@ -18,16 +18,20 @@
 
 #if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE)
 
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
 int check_intt_ppc_asm(void);
 int check_ntt_ppc_asm(void);
 int check_poly_tomont_ppc_asm(void);
 int check_reduce_ppc_asm(void);
+#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR */
 
 static const abicheck_entry_t all_checks[] = {
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
     {"intt_ppc_asm", check_intt_ppc_asm},
     {"ntt_ppc_asm", check_ntt_ppc_asm},
     {"poly_tomont_ppc_asm", check_poly_tomont_ppc_asm},
     {"reduce_ppc_asm", check_reduce_ppc_asm},
+#endif           /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR */
     {NULL, NULL} /* Sentinel */
 };
 
diff --git a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/selftest_ppc64le.S b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/selftest_ppc64le.S
index b68ecfefb8..633871cff3 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/ppc64le/selftest_ppc64le.S
+++ b/test/abicheck/ppc64le/selftest_ppc64le.S
@@ -12,10 +12,14 @@
  * input.
  */
 
+#include "../../../mlkem/src/sys.h"
+
 #if defined(__ELF__)
 .section .note.GNU-stack,"",@progbits
 #endif
 
+#if defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
+
 .text
 .machine power8
 .abiversion 2
@@ -118,3 +122,5 @@ define_local \name
 corrupt_cr selftest_ppc64le_corrupt_cr2,  8
 corrupt_cr selftest_ppc64le_corrupt_cr3, 12
 corrupt_cr selftest_ppc64le_corrupt_cr4, 16
+
+#endif /* MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR */
diff --git a/test/abicheck/selftest.c b/test/abicheck/selftest.c
index ce4a05e869..d631a4e7d9 100644
--- a/test/abicheck/selftest.c
+++ b/test/abicheck/selftest.c
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ static const selftest_entry_t x86_64_entries[] = {
     {NULL, NULL, 0},
 };
 
-#elif defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE)
+#elif defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
 
 extern void selftest_ppc64le_noop(void);
 /* GPRs r14..r31 (18) */
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ static const selftest_entry_t armv81m_entries[] = {
 };
 
 #endif /* !MLK_SYS_AARCH64 && !(MLK_SYS_X86_64 && MLK_SYSV_ABI_SUPPORTED) && \
-          !MLK_SYS_PPC64LE && MLK_SYS_ARMV81M_MVE */
+          !MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR && MLK_SYS_ARMV81M_MVE */
 
 int abicheck_selftest(void)
 {
@@ -354,21 +354,26 @@ int abicheck_selftest(void)
       asm_call_stub_x86_64_sysv, check_x86_64_sysv_compliance, x86_64_entries,
       (MLK_SYSV_ABI
        void (*)(void)));
-#elif defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE)
-  SELFTEST_RUN_ARCH("ppc64le", struct ppc64le_register_state,
-                    init_ppc64le_register_state, asm_call_stub_ppc64le,
-                    check_ppc64le_elfv2_compliance, ppc64le_entries,
-                    (void (*)(void)));
+#elif defined(MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR)
+  /* The call stub saves vector registers. Keep the self-test's capability
+   * check aligned with the current backend's POWER8 minimum. */
+  if (mlk_sys_check_capability(MLK_SYS_CAP_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR))
+  {
+    SELFTEST_RUN_ARCH("ppc64le", struct ppc64le_register_state,
+                      init_ppc64le_register_state, asm_call_stub_ppc64le,
+                      check_ppc64le_elfv2_compliance, ppc64le_entries,
+                      (void (*)(void)));
+  }
 #elif defined(MLK_SYS_ARMV81M_MVE)
   SELFTEST_RUN_ARCH("armv81m", struct armv81m_register_state,
                     init_armv81m_register_state, asm_call_stub_armv81m,
                     check_armv81m_aapcs32_compliance, armv81m_entries,
                     (void (*)(void)));
 #else  /* !MLK_SYS_AARCH64 && !(MLK_SYS_X86_64 && MLK_SYSV_ABI_SUPPORTED) && \
-          !MLK_SYS_PPC64LE && MLK_SYS_ARMV81M_MVE */
+          !MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR && MLK_SYS_ARMV81M_MVE */
   /* No abicheck support on this architecture. */
 #endif /* !MLK_SYS_AARCH64 && !(MLK_SYS_X86_64 && MLK_SYSV_ABI_SUPPORTED) && \
-          !MLK_SYS_PPC64LE && !MLK_SYS_ARMV81M_MVE */
+          !MLK_SYS_PPC64LE_POWER8_VECTOR && !MLK_SYS_ARMV81M_MVE */
 
   return failures;
 }