Reston, Va. – The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s (KCMA) Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) recently earned approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification organization, Architectural Testing, Inc.

The Architectural Testing audit validates the ESP certification process. ESP incorporates a holistic approach to environmental responsibility within the cabinet industry. This announcement comes soon after the ANSI approval of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Standard, which references ESP as the benchmark for cabinet standards.

“Successful completion of the third-party review is another important milestone for ESP,” said Dick Titus, KCMA executive vice president. “This audit further enhances the credibility of the program as the environmental benchmark for kitchen cabinets and bath vanities.”

The Architectural Testing audit included a comprehensive review of the ESP process, records and administration. All elements of the program received a favorable review.

As a criterion in the NAHB Green Building Standard, the first ANSI approved green building rating system for residential construction in the U.S., ESP will set the standard for home owners looking to integrate eco-friendly cabinets into their home.

“KCMA long has supported NAHB’s development of the first consensus environmental standard for residential construction. We look forward to helping more builders, remodelers and designers implement environmentally sound construction practices,” said Titus.

The NAHB recognizes that KCMA’s experience and credibility in developing an ANSI-approved performance standard, as well as its firm grounding in the cabinet industry, make it a well suited reference for the Green Building Standard.

“Over 150 companies and brands now participate in KCMA’s ESP program, making products available at virtually every price point,” said John Swedeen, KCMA president, Starmark/Fieldstone Division of Norcraft Companies. “ESP manufacturers earn points for meeting environmental requirements pertaining not only to the product, but also to the manufacturing process.”

For more information regarding KCMA’s ESP, visit www.greencabinetsource.org.


About KCMA ESP
The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, headquartered in Reston, Va., is the principal trade association in the United States for manufacturers of kitchen cabinets, bath vanities, decorative laminate products and suppliers to the industry. The KCMA is committed to excellence in manufacturing through continued quality, advocacy and leadership.

The Environmental Stewardship Program encourages industry policies and practices that benefit the environment and society. The voluntary certification program provides a tangible way for cabinet manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. For more information on the association, visit its Web site at www.kcma.org.

About Architectural Testing
Architectural Testing, based in York, Pa., has developed a quality assurance validation program that is designed for manufacturers who are required to participate in an independent quality assurance program in order to obtain and maintain product approval by an evaluation entity or product approval body.