Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association Marks 60 Years of Quality Certification Excellence
Reston, VA – May 28, 2024 – The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) announced the 60th anniversary of the KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification program for cabinetry. Recognized as a leading benchmark in the kitchen and bath cabinet industry, the KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification Seal assures purchasers of quality, structural integrity, and long-term reliability.
Since its inception, the KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification program has represented rigorous performance standards and testing protocols. Cabinets bearing the certification seal undergo extensive evaluation, including structural, drawer, door, and finish testing. These measures ensure that certified cabinets meet demanding durability and performance requirements, offering homeowners confidence in products designed for long-term use.
Over the past six decades, thousands of cabinet manufacturers have achieved KCMA certification, producing millions of certified cabinets installed in homes across the United States. At a time when product longevity and quality are increasingly scrutinized, the KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification continues to serve as a trusted indicator of excellence in kitchen and bath cabinetry.
“KCMA members, architects, builders, dealers, and designers understand the trust and confidence that come with KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification,” said KCMA CEO Betsy Natz. “Established 60 years ago, this program has been tremendously successful, resulting in millions of certified cabinets in homes nationwide.”
As KCMA approaches its 70th anniversary, the association recognizes the founders who established the ANSI/KCMA A161.1 standard. Their focus on consumer protection and quality assurance helped shape a certification program that continues to benefit manufacturers, professionals, and homeowners alike.
Manufacturers seeking KCMA certification must complete testing that simulates a cabinet’s typical lifetime of use. These requirements are outlined in the ANSI/KCMA A161.1 standard, which is recognized as the primary performance standard for kitchen and bath cabinets.
“The ANSI/KCMA A161.1 standard is unique in its comprehensive approach to cabinet performance,” said Chuck Arnold, Vice President of Standards and Certification at KCMA.
About KCMA
Founded in 1955, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) is a non-profit organization representing manufacturers of kitchen and bath cabinets, along with key industry suppliers. With more than 300 members across North America, KCMA supports the cabinet industry through advocacy, standards development, research sponsorship, and educational and management programs.
For more information, visit kcma.org.
About KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification
Cabinets that achieve the KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification Seal have passed extensive performance testing, demonstrating durability, reliability, and overall quality suitable for residential use.
Environmental Certification
The Environmental Stewardship Program encourages manufacturing practices that benefit the environment and the communities served by cabinet manufacturers.
Severe Use Certification
The Severe Use Specifications were originally developed in 1993 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address more demanding usage environments.
