The Master Locksmiths Association is a non-profit making body; established to set and promote standards of conduct, practice and materials within locksmithing. It also encourages its members to further their knowledge through ongoing education, regional meetings, seminars and the information disseminated through its membership magazine Keyways.

As the largest and longest established locksmiths association in the UK, standards of entry to the MLA are high and its motto of "Skill and Integrity" emphasise its determination to ensure that the public, government and industry receive the correct service and advice on security matters from its members.

From a small friendly meeting of 'like-minded' locksmiths in London, it has evolved into the professional organisation that it is today. The first meeting group instigated the embryonic Master Locksmiths Association in 1958 and in 1986 it became a limited company. 1994 saw a major restructure and now the membership is world-wide.

The MLA is recognised as the authoritative body for UK locksmithing by: -

• The Police
  many forces will encourage those in need of a locksmith to use MLA Trade Division members.
• Home Office
  The MLA has been instrumental in campaigning for national standards in the locksmith industry and the regulation (through licensing) of the Private security Industry.
• British Standards Institute
  the MLA supplies a panel of its members to assess locks under BS3621 clauses 4 and I 0 on their behalf.
• Risk Insight Strategy and Control Authority (RISCAuthority), Building Research Establishment (BRE) and many other trade and professional bodies all acknowledge the MLA as the authoritative body in its' field.
• The European Locksmiths Federation (www.eurolockfed.com); where the MLA represents the UK locksmithing industry.

The MLA also owns Sold Secure, an attack test house, certifying security products through attack testing. It operates its own scheme, which is recognised by the Home Office, insurers and police. All testers are MLA members and the testing is to its’ own high specifications developed with the relevant industry bodies.