ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is the primary organization for fostering the development of technology standards in the United States. ANSI works with industry groups and is the U.S. member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA®) is the only organization accredited by the America National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop and maintain performance standards for locks, closers, exit devices and other builders hardware. BHMA® currently has more than 40 ANSI/BHMA standards. The widely known ANSI/BHMA A156 series of standards describes and establishes features and criteria for an array of builders hardware products including locks, closers, exit devices, butts, hinges, power-operated doors and access control products.
