Founded in 1956 ARGE is the European umbrella association of locks and hardware manufacturers. It represents 12 National Associations within Europe, which serve over 200 manufacturers across the whole of Europe and Scandinavia. ARGE is a Lobby institution with links to the European Authorities and Institutes. It aims to represent the interests of its National Associations, manufacturers and users of locks and hardware, and works on technical issues for the European Committee of Standardisation (C.E.N.).