Global trends in the standardization of the burglary-resistance testing of security hardware.

This study aims to analyse the emerging global trends and socio-economic benefits of the standardization and accreditation of the burglary-resistance testing of security hardware by manufacturers. The 30 countries that are sampled in this study include 26 EU countries as well as the US, South Korea, Japan and Australia. The major findings of this analysis indicate that the 'standardization and accreditation' trend at the international, regional and national levels in these countries is on the rise, as evidenced by significant increases in domestic and commercial building laws and regulations that aim to enhance security hardware resistance against burglary attacks. It was discovered in this study that despite a number of minor definition disparities, most countries' standards, measurements and rules are relatively consistent in the burglary-resistance tests conducted on security hardware products. Importantly, studies in several countries also showed that a prudent, coordinated, national crime-prevention and security effort can often obtain net gains by not generating any obvious displacement, significantly reducing the costs associated with crime and enhancing awareness of security and safety for users of the built environment. When the significant economic and sociological benefits of the standardization of the burglary-resistance testing of security hardware are fully recognized, it is expected that this trend will not only continue but will likely grow exponentially on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]