Revisions to the U.S. performance standard for kitchen cabinets and bath vanities, ANSI/KCMA A161.1-2012, were approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on January 27, 2012.
According to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assn., ANSI approval of the revised standard concludes an extensive two-year process, which included participation and review by consumer and supplier organizations, builders, remodelers, the U.S. government, architects, and other related groups.
“ANSI/KCMA A161.1 is the only standard for kitchen and bath cabinets in the world to undergo such a widespread review and approval process,” KCMA Executive Vice President Dick Titus said. The standard has been revised and strengthened seven times since its inception in 1965 to reflect changes in technology, materials and construction.
Changes to the standard include: clarification that the drawers, as well as the doors, of the cabinets shall be properly aligned and shall close without excessive binding; the static loading test for wall cabinets over 24 inches in height has been increased from 500 pounds to 600 pounds; the timing of the open/close cycles for doors and drawers has been standardized; and lighting conditions for observing finish performance have been established.
According to Titus, more than 100 companies representing over 50 percent of the U.S. market are KCMA certified. To meet the KCMA standards, the cabinets must meet general construction requirements, pass five structural tests, two door operation tests, two drawer tests, and five finish tests. Cabinets that meet the standard can display the blue and white KCMA certification seal.
“The procedures and requirements to satisfy the ANSI standard are demanding,” said KCMA President Greg Stoner of MasterBrand Cabinets. “Many companies are not able to pass and must upgrade their production and manufacturing process or materials in order to earn the right to display the seal. The ANSI/KCMA standard provides consumers and specifiers the best assurance available that the products they purchase are durable and quality products.”
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Karen M. Koenig has more than 25 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As Editor-in-Chief of Wood & Wood Products, Karen’s primary responsibilities include spearheading the writing, editing and coordinating of the editorial content of the publication, along with the Red Book resource guide and the Red Book online source and supply directory (
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