Building trust: The critical role of independent inspection

WHATEVER THE sector, inspection is a cornerstone of trust. It provides assurance that products and services meet the stated specification, regulatory requirements and quality standards. When an expert states that what is being bought matches what is being sold buyers can make informed decisions. 

Inspection is more than a compliance check. It ensures consistency, transparency and accountability. This matters in our sector, where the stakes are high. As the British Cleaning Council made clear in the midst of this season’s flu epidemic ‘higher standards of cleaning in UK workplaces and public spaces, combined with handwashing measures, are the best way of reducing the spread of common infections’. 

To really achieve this goal the inspection process must be truly independent. Credibility is compromised if audits are conducted by a party with a vested interest in the outcome, whether intentionally so or not. If credibility is compromised, so is trust. 

The independence of the inspection process supports customer confidence. They can be certain the products meet the specification and perform as advertised. It is also crucial for market integrity, encouraging higher standards across the sector. This matters to all of us, working in an industry that is worth £67 billion per year yet is often overlooked. 

Here at the CHSA, we live and breathe this approach. Our Accreditation Schemes are underpinned by Inspection. Through annual inspections of our distributor and manufacturing members we confirm, amongst other things, that the product meets the specifications of the relevant Accreditation Scheme, the label accurately reflects what’s in the ‘box’, and the product is traceable to supplier and batch. This means, for manufacturers, the audit includes random sampling of product within scope of the relevant Accreditation Scheme, on-site testing and a review of relevant quality control records. For distributors, this means the audit includes checks to ensure all products within the scope of one of our Accreditation Schemes meet the relevant technical regulations and standard whether or not they are sourced from CHSA Accredited Manufacturers. 

The independence of the inspection is built into the system. The Inspector through the Chair of our Accreditation Schemes, reports to our Governing Council but is not under the immediate direction of the Council. The technical regulations and standard of each Accreditation Scheme is regularly reviewed by members and frequently enhanced to respond to changing marketing circumstances and increase the rigour of the Schemes. The Independent Inspector is tasked to audit members annually accordingly, without fear or favour. It is his expertise and integrity and independence of our governing Council that means the Accreditation Scheme Mark is something buyers and end users in our sector can trust. 

Our goal being to enhance standards across the industry, our philosophy is to work constructively with members who may have areas of non-conformance. Again, the inspector’s expertise is crucial to offer the support and guidance they may need to make the necessary improvements. Continued and ongoing non-conformance is not accepted, however, and the CHSA’s Governing Council will and does take steps against those who consistently fail to meet the required standard. 

Lorcan Mekitarian is chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association

For more information, visit www.CHSA.co.uk