Timeline

AMCA: A Century of Supporting Manufacturers & Advancing Air Systems

For over 100 years, AMCA has been here for manufacturers like you—helping to ensure that air movement and control products meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, and efficiency. From certification and testing to advocacy and education, we’ve built a legacy of trust and technical excellence that keeps our industry moving forward.

Today, AMCA is more than an organization—it’s a community of manufacturers, engineers, and industry professionals working together to tackle challenges, drive innovation, and grow the air systems market worldwide.

1920-1940s: Laying the Groundwork for Industry Standards

By the 1920s, it was clear the air systems industry needed uniform product testing. AMCA led the charge, helping develop the first fan testing standard and later partnering with ASHRAE to publish The Performance Test Code—a collaboration that still benefits the industry today.

1930s: AMCA introduced certification stickers, an early step toward third-party product verification.
1940s: We set the first acoustic test standard, helping manufacturers improve fan sound performance.

Fast forward to today, AMCA standards are recognized worldwide. We now have over 60 industry standards and technical publications used across the industry, with our methods aligned with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to ensure global compliance.

1960-2000: Expanding Our Reach & Services

The second half of the 20th century saw major growth and expansion for AMCA, both in membership and services:

1960s: AMCA moved from Michigan to Illinois, expanding lab space and testing capabilities.
1970s: We broadened our focus to louvers, dampers, and air curtains, welcoming our first European member and strengthening our global presence.
1980s: AMCA merged operations of the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI), reinforcing our expertise in ventilation systems.
1990s: We doubled our lab space, adding reverberant rooms, elevated temperature test facilities, and achieved international accreditation through the American Association for Laboratory of Accreditation (A2LA) in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and 17065 for air system product testing and calibration on more than twenty air system products for various efficiencies, leakage, stability, and sound.

Today, AMCA certifies more than 4,500 products worldwide and provides certification to over sixty licensed laboratories under the AMCA Laboratory Accreditation Program, helping manufacturers prove their product performance and build confidence with customers.

Our Ongoing Mission: Supporting Manufacturers, Advancing the Industry

From our early days to today, AMCA has always had one goal: helping manufacturers succeed by ensuring their products meet the highest standards of quality, performance, and sustainability.

We advocate for fair regulations and policies that protect manufacturers and encourage innovation.
We develop internationally recognized standards that help manufacturers gain market acceptance and regulatory approval.
We certify products through rigorous, third-party testing, giving manufacturers credibility and a competitive edge.
We offer education and training to ensure professionals have the knowledge and skills to navigate an evolving industry.

1916-1919: Setting the Foundation for Trust & Quality

AMCA’s story begins in 1916 as the National Credit Association of Fan Manufacturers, formed to address a lack of standards and quality control in the industry. The goal? Bring manufacturers together, create trust in products, and educate the public on air movement technology.

More than a century later, we’re still committed to that mission—helping manufacturers build credibility, meet industry standards, and expand their market reach. Today, AMCA is also a leading provider of education and professional development, offering continuing education credits (PDH) through the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP) to keep professionals up to speed.

1950s: The Birth of Industry-Leading Certification

The 1950s were a turning point for AMCA as we expanded our role beyond education and advocacy to certify product performance.

1955: AMCA merged with the Power Fan Manufacturers Association, forming the Air Moving and Conditioning Association.
1957: We launched the Certified Ratings Program (CRP) and Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP)—still the industry’s most trusted programs today — supported by twenty-one member laboratories, ensured thorough product testing and the issuance of certification seals.

To give manufacturers an edge in the market, our testing program replicates real-world conditions—including hurricanes, sandstorms, and extreme temperatures—to verify product durability and performance. That’s why today, AMCA certification is the gold standard in air systems.

2000-Present: Supporting Manufacturers in a Global Industry

As demand for high-performance, energy-efficient air systems has grown, AMCA has expanded to support manufacturers worldwide:

Asia AMCA: Recognizing the booming Asian market, AMCA partnered with KTC in South Korea to launch Asia AMCA, later relocating its accredited lab to Johor, Malaysia to meet growing demand.
European & Middle Eastern Testing: AMCA partnered with CETIATE (France) and Thomas Bell-Wright (UAE), giving manufacturers in Europe and the Middle East access to trusted third-party product validation.

Today, AMCA remains the go-to organization for manufacturers looking to certify their products, stay compliant with regulations, and gain global recognition.

Why Manufacturers Trust AMCA

At AMCA, we’re here for you—helping you build confidence in your products, expand your market opportunities, and navigate industry challenges with trusted certification, advocacy, and education.

We’re proud of the strong community of manufacturers we’ve built over the past 100+ years, and we look forward to supporting your success for the next century and beyond.

Let’s Keep the Industry Moving Forward—Together.