ANSI/KCMA A161.1 Standard Provides Architects and Designers with Clarity, Assurance in Cabinet Quality

RESTON, VA. – The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA), which champions advocacy, leadership, and quality in the North American cabinet industry, continues to uphold the highest standards through the promotion of its ANSI/KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification Seal Program. The program, frequently used by architects and designers, is the cabinet industry’s leading certification program and a seal of assurance that products are rigorously tested to meet the highest standards of quality and durability.

Six decades ago, KCMA collaborated with ANSI to develop the standard, which has since become the foremost mark of performance for new products. In that time, KCMA has tested tens of thousands of cabinets for members and non-members. KCMA’s authority in determining quality is so well-recognized that organizations who sell ANSI standard cabinets often display the KCMA logo beside ANSI A161.1.

“KCMA wrote ANSI A161.1 six decades ago, and became THE standard for all cabinet manufacturers,” says KCMA CEO Betsy Natz. “While other testing organizations may claim to be a ‘well-established conformity assessment leader in the industry,’ that honor goes to KCMA and KCMA alone in cabinets. No organization has more experience, and that’s why architects and designers look to us for guidance in their specifications to avoid confusion in the marketplace.”

Natz points out that organizations who sell the ANSI standard often run the KCMA logo along with ANSI A161.1. “This is not just an honor, but an indication that when the testing is done to ANSI A161.1, it’s the KCMA that takes the lead as the authority in testing,” she adds. “Unless it’s tested by KCMA, the KCMA brand cannot be used on the cabinetry. That mark becomes the specifier’s assurance, period.”

In order to have their products recognized, manufacturers go through a series of performance tests meant to recreate the conditions and stresses cabinets endure over their usual lifespan. The rigorous methods used to evaluate products can be found in KCMA’s ANSI A161.1 standard.

Chuck Arnold, Vice President Standards & Certification at KCMA, adds that the standard is “unique in that it is the only performance standard for kitchen and bath cabinets. This assures the value chain participants that specific standards have been met, giving the consumer confidence in what’s installed in their kitchens.”

KCMA is an ANSI accredited standards writing organization; the KCMA A161.1 was developed and has been revised according to ANSI procedures providing for a fair and unbiased standard.

“These cabinets are put through rigorous procedures,” Natz added, “and that’s why it’s so important for specifiers to put KCMA in their specifications. Everyone says they have quality, but someone has to verify what quality means.”

When consumers see the KCMA seal, it gives them more comfort and assurance in their purchase,” Natz concludes. “They can utilize and install cabinets with confidence and pride. It’s a win-win.”

For more information on the KCMA A161.1 procedures, as well as the messaging, please contact Chuck Arnold, Vice President, Standards & Certification, Phone: (703) 264-1690, Email: Chuck Arnold [email protected].