CHSA accreditation schemes: Find out more

The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association will provide visitors with vital information on the schemes. Lorcan Mekitarian, chairman of the CHSA, said: “Our accreditation schemes are known for advancing standards in the cleaning and hygiene supply industry.

"They make certain buyers of these products get what they pay for. At the Manchester Cleaning Show we will be encouraging purchasers to specify scheme membership in tenders: 'Our Standards, Your Guarantee.'” 

The guarantee provided by the CHSA accredited distributor scheme and accreditation schemes for manufacturers of soft tissue, plastic refuse sacks and industrial cotton mops is underpinned by a rigorous process of Independent Inspection.

During 2019, the inspector conducted more than 140 audits, inspecting well over 2000 individual products in the process. Conformance across all four schemes was near perfect. 

Gaining admittance to one of the CHSA’s accreditation schemes is also challenging. Applicants must pass the initial audit of their product range and existing quality assurance processes conducted by the CHSA’s independent inspector. They are then audited frequently throughout the first year to ensure they maintain the standard that is required of them to maintain membership of one of the schemes. 

The schemes also have bite. Committed to the integrity of the schemes, the CHSA’s governing council will expel any scheme member who, in spite of being offered the guidance required to correct issues, consistently fails to conform to the relevant scheme standard.

Lorcan continued: “Our process of rigorous Independent Inspections supported transparent governance means our schemes are robust. Contract cleaners and facilities managers that specify scheme membership in their tenders can depend on our guarantee.”

All members of the CHSA must also conform to the association’s rigorous code of practice, which demands an ethical and responsible approach to business, and more importantly, that product labelling provides full and accurate dimensions and quantities.

To discuss the accreditation schemes, visit the British Cleaning Council stand.