#USA #Building Automation #Marietta #BACnet International #BTL Certification

Celebrating a Milestone: BACnet International Wins ASAE 2026 Gold Award

BACnet International recently made headlines by receiving the esteemed ASAE 2026 Gold Award for its remarkable BTL (BACnet Testing Laboratories) Certification Program. This prestigious recognition, awarded by the American Society of Association Executives, highlights how associations can drive advancements in technology, foster innovation, and promote sustainability in the building automation sector.

Acknowledging Industry Contributions

The ASAE Power of Associations Awards celebrate organizations that make significant contributions to their industries and communities. The award honors BACnet International for its pioneering BTL Certification Program, which has successfully transformed open building automation communication standards into a globally recognized framework. This framework emphasizes interoperability, energy efficiency, and sustainability, qualities that are crucial in today's environmental landscape.

Andy McMillan, President and Managing Director of BACnet International, remarked, "Receiving ASAE's Gold Award is a tremendous honor and a testament to the collaborative efforts of the global BACnet community." He highlighted that the BTL Certification Program is a perfect example of how industry stakeholders can unite to achieve common goals in creating interoperable building automation systems.

The BTL Certification Program: A Game Changer

Created in collaboration with the BACnet Interest Group Europe and the wider BACnet community, the BTL Certification Program is dedicated to providing independent testing and certification for BACnet products. To achieve BTL certification, products need to undergo stringent third-party testing to ensure compliance with BACnet standards and to prove interoperability with products by other manufacturers. Currently, there are more than 1,600 BTL Certified products in operation worldwide, playing vital roles in various applications including HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), lighting, energy management, access control, fire safety, and more.

The award-winning submission also emphasized the program's positive environmental impact. A 2026 study from the University of New Hampshire's Civil and Environmental Engineering Department revealed that BACnet-enabled systems, specifically those that have passed the BTL certification, have helped prevent approximately 1.4 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions globally from 1995 to 2025. This is projected to escalate to 2.06 billion tons by 2030, as the adoption of these energy-efficient technologies continues to rise.

Economic and Market Benefits

In addition to its ecological contributions, the BTL Certification Program has fostered a competitive marketplace by reducing integration risks and costs for building owners. By establishing a trustworthy framework for interoperability, the program has encouraged the wider adoption of building automation technologies, which in turn supports workforce development and mobility for professionals in the field.

BACnet International’s recognition also showcases the vital role that associations play in tackling industry challenges. With over 230 manufacturers involved, including 160 corporate members, BACnet International has successfully created a certification ecosystem that benefits the entire building automation sector and the communities it serves.

Looking Ahead

The formal presentation of the ASAE Power of Associations Awards will occur during a celebratory event held in Washington, D.C. The recognition of BACnet International is not just a win for the association but for the entire building automation community that is dedicated to advancing automation technology and promoting sustainability.

About BACnet International and the BTL Certification

BACnet International is an industry association committed to facilitating the successful implementation of the BACnet protocol in building automation systems. This includes interoperability testing, educational initiatives, and promotional campaigns. The association manages the BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) and maintains a database of tested products. The BACnet standard—developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)—is accessible to manufacturers, allowing for the development of interoperable systems. BACnet International members span a range of stakeholders, including building owners, consulting engineers, and companies involved in design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of control equipment that utilizes BACnet for communication.

With this award, BACnet International reinforces its position as a leader in the building automation industry, celebrating community collaboration and commitment to sustainable innovations.