The winners of the inaugural awards will be announced at the CHSA’s annual Gala Ball, which takes place on Thursday 18 June at voco St John’s in Solihull. 

Four awards will be made:

• Distributor of the Year: sponsored by Greyland Ltd
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Rising Star
• Outstanding Contribution to the CHSA

Tracey Black, CHSA Council member and the driving force behind the creation of the awards, explained: “This is an exciting new initiative for the CHSA. Our purpose is to recognise the enormous contribution made by individuals in our industry, the emergent new talent and the manufacturers and distributors who work hard to take the industry forward. 

“We’re extremely grateful to the sponsors who are making this celebration of excellence possible.”

The shortlists for Manufacturer of the Year and Distributor of the Year will be compiled by an independent panel of senior industry executives, the final winners being selected by a vote amongst CHSA members. 

CHSA members will be invited to nominate individuals for the Rising Star and Outstanding Contribution to the CHSA categories. An independent panel will then select the winners from the nominations. 

The Distributor of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year will be assessed according to their values, quality and commitment, and their approach to sustainability. Their values must support and embody the CHSA’s values. They must demonstrate their commitment to maintaining standards and ethical practice and they must promote sustainability best practice.

The Rising Star will evidence exceptional performance, impact, rapid growth, initiative, a commitment to development, and professionalism and collaboration. The winner of Outstanding Contribution to the CHSA will have a track record of going above and beyond, have evidence of making significant impact on the CHSA or the cleaning and hygiene industry, have made a sustained long-term contribution or delivered a single major achievement, have demonstrated leadership and served as a role model. 

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

Tel: 0800 243 919

The CHSA has operated the Bursary in its current form since 2016. During that time 28 bursaries have been awarded. The initiative is key to the CHSA’s commitment to giving something back; it is open to the children of its members’ employees. 

The Bursary also introduces young people to the industry. Attracting this talent into the sector is crucial for innovation and long-term success. The young people’s engagement with the CHSA means they can learn about the varied career opportunities, including AI, robotics, product development, sales, marketing and financial management, available in the cleaning and hygiene sector.

David Garcia, Vice President of the CHSA explained: “We are extremely proud of our Bursary. Life is challenging for young people, particularly for those with the ability to attend university but not necessarily the financial resources. We are delighted to offer this very important support. 

“Our Bursary also allows us to say thank you to our members’ employees. They are fundamental to the success of our members, and this is a very tangible way to acknowledge their hard work.”

The CHSA Bursary is open to the children of employees of CHSA members. Applicants must be 18 years or over on 1 September 2026 and commencing their higher education studies this autumn.  They will be assessed according to need, worthiness, endeavour and overall performance. Each successful applicant will also bring something unique, their ‘x-factor’. Applications close on 26 June 2026. The online panel interviews, to be led by CHSA Vice President David Garcia, will take place in July and the successful applicants will be announced in September. 

Eligible young people need to visit the CHSA website and click on the link on the Bursary page.  The form includes a 400-word statement. 

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

Tel: 0800 243 919

RECOGNITION MATTERS in every sector, but in the cleaning and hygiene industry it carries particular weight. Ours is an industry built on trust, reliability and often unseen dedication. When standards are met, environments are safe, compliant and welcoming. When they are not, the consequences are immediate and tangible. Because so much of the work takes place behind the scenes, recognising and celebrating excellence is not a luxury – it is essential.

The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has long championed standards, integrity and ethical practice. With the launch of its new Awards for Excellence, it has taken that commitment a step further, creating a platform to celebrate the individuals and organisations who embody those values in action.

For CHSA members, the value is both practical and reputational. The shortlists for Manufacturer and Distributor of the Year will be compiled by an independent panel of senior industry executives, with winners selected by a vote among members. This blend of independent scrutiny and peer recognition mirrors the principles underpinning our accreditation schemes. Achievement is not self-declared; it is evidenced and validated.

The inaugural awards will be presented at the CHSA’s annual Gala Ball on 18 June at Voco St John’s in Solihull. Four awards will be made: Distributor of the Year (sponsored by Greyland), Manufacturer of the Year, Rising Star (sponsored by Harrison Wipes) and Outstanding Contribution (sponsored by Evans Vanodine). Each category has been carefully designed to reflect not only commercial success, but values, quality, sustainability and long-term commitment.

For our industry, awards like these perform a vital function: they define what “good” looks like. By setting clear criteria – from maintaining standards and ethical practice to promoting sustainability best practice – we are articulating a benchmark. Excellence is no longer abstract; it is described, assessed and, crucially, celebrated.

Recognition also reinforces a culture of continuous improvement. In a market frequently driven by relentless price pressure, the gap between what a product claims to do and what it delivers can widen if vigilance slips. Publicly rewarding manufacturers and distributors who uphold standards sends a powerful signal that doing the right thing matters. It encourages others to examine their own practices and raise their game, strengthening the sector from within.

The Rising Star and Outstanding Contribution awards focus on individuals, recognising exceptional performance, rapid development, leadership and sustained impact. In doing so, they underline an essential truth: standards are maintained not by systems alone, but by people. Talented, principled professionals translate specifications into practice, mentor colleagues, challenge complacency and drive innovation. Celebrating them helps attract and retain the next generation and demonstrates that commitment and professionalism are noticed.

There is also a broader responsibility at play. An industry that benefits from collective standards and shared credibility must be willing to give something back. Creating opportunities to acknowledge contribution, encourage emerging talent and thank those who have gone above and beyond fosters pride and a sense of belonging. That culture of recognition strengthens resilience and supports collaboration across the supply chain.

Ultimately, celebrating excellence safeguards the future. It demonstrates that integrity, transparency and professionalism are defining characteristics of a credible industry. By recognising those who uphold these principles, we are strengthening the foundations on which trust, performance and true fitness for purpose depend. 

Lorcan Mekitarian is chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association

For more information, visit ​www.chsa.co.uk

Tel: 0800 243 919

Every CHSA member must comply with the regulations of the Accreditation Scheme they are a member of and the stipulations in the Code of Practice. 

In the past 24 months, the CHSA has raised the bar:

• The technical regulations of the Schemes have been tightened, particularly the Schemes for cleaning chemicals and soft tissue.
• An ethical audit of all facilities that manufacture CHSA Accredited Product must be in place by 31 December 2026.
• Members are required to sign an ethical marketing commitment.
• Members are required to sign the CHSA Code of Practice, which incorporates the Competition & Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code.

 
Nicky Biggart, Chair of the CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes, explained: “Our Accreditation Scheme marks are trusted by buyers of cleaning and hygiene products as stamps of quality. To maintain this trust, our Accreditation Schemes must continually evolve. In the past 18 months we have increased the rigour and introduced requirements, including the ethical audit, that address the complex challenges of global supply chains and sustainability. The new Resources page has been developed to give existing and prospective members the information they need to understand the obligations of membership and ensure their compliance.

“Buyers and end users who review the Resources page, will now be able to see, in details the obligations placed on members and against which they are audited. Now, more than ever, they can be certain’ what’s on the box is what’s in the box’ if they specify Accreditation Scheme membership in tenders. Our standards, your guarantee.”

The information and guides on the Resources page are:

• CHSA Audits Made Clear. A summary of all relevant documentation.
• CHSA Audits: A Definitive Guide for Accredited Distributors. This document helps distributor members understand what to expect during an audit and how to prepare.
• CHSA Audits: A Definitive Guide for Accredited Manufacturers. This document helps manufacturing members understand what to expect during an audit and how to prepare.
• ADS Compliance Checklist. The checklist gives Accredited Distributors the information they need to ensure they conform to the Scheme requirements.
• CMAS Compliance Checklist. The checklist gives Accredited Manufacturers of Cleaning Chemicals the information they need to ensure they conform to the Scheme requirements.
• STAS Compliance Checklist. The checklist gives Accredited Manufacturers of Soft Tissue the information they need to ensure they conform to the Scheme requirements.
• CMAS Fact Sheet. Fact Sheet summarising the key elements of the Cleaning Chemical Accreditation Scheme.
• PSAS Fact Sheet. Fact Sheet summarising the key elements of the Plastic Sack Accreditation Scheme.
• MOPAS Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet summarising the key elements of the Cotton Mop Accreditation Scheme.
• STAS Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet summarising the key elements of the Soft Tissue Accreditation Scheme.
• Ethical Audit Requirement. The document summarises the requirements and scope of the ethical audit.
• CHSA Marketing Commitment. This document is the ethical marketing commitment all CHSA members must sign.

The website also contains FAQs, addressing the questions commonly asked by members and prospective members.

Run by its members for its members, the CHSA represent the major manufacturers and distributors supplying cleaning and hygiene product in the UK. The Association introduced its first Accreditation Scheme in 1997 and now has five: for manufacturers of soft tissue, plastic sacks, cotton mops, cleaning chemical and for distributors of cleaning and hygiene products. A Scheme for general members is under review.
The Schemes came into being to guarantee ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’. This certainty for buyers that they get what they pay for, has driven the trend of Scheme compliance being specified in tenders.

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

The fact sheet forms part of the CHSA’s Roadmap to Sustainability. This is the Association’s long-term initiative designed to provide members and the wider industry with practical guidance on sustainability.

Environmental claims, used to differentiate one product or service from another, are common and often based on ill-informed assumptions or misconceptions. The Fact Sheet highlights key points when assessing such sustainability claims. They include the importance of evidence, that there are no universal ‘good’ or ‘bad’ materials, many green claims are legally or technically meaningless and considering the full life-cycle is essential. 

Lorcan Mekitarian, chair of the CHSA (pictured), explained: “People generally want to opt for the sustainable solution. The challenge is when decisions are based on assumptions. These include products made from recycled materials are always more sustainable than those made from virgin materials, that buying locally always has a lower carbon footprint. They may assume a product certified as ‘eco-friendly’ is sustainable in all aspects. 

“The fact sheet encourages buyers and end-users to challenge their assumptions. By doing so they will be able to consider the full life-cycle impacts of products and services and consider multiple environmental indicators. Ultimately it means prioritising genuine environmentally sustainable solutions over headline-driven marketing claims.”

All CHSA members have signed the Association’s Code of Practice, which includes the Competition and Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code. 

The myth-busting Fact Sheet is available on the CHSA’s website: www.chsa.co.uk.

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

ACCORDING TO the British Cleaning Council, the British cleaning and hygiene sector is worth £67billion per annum to the UK economy and employs 1.49million people. 

As well as trained operatives working on the front line in schools, hospitals, offices and public spaces, our industry is populated by innovators, entrepreneurs, chemists and others. Together, we keep schools, hospitals, offices and public spaces clean and safe places to live and work. 

The importance of our sector really came to the fore in the Covid pandemic. Almost overnight the population’s collective focus fell on the need to stop transmission. From removing dirt and germs from the spaces in which we live and work to keeping our hands germ-free, we all looked to our sector to provide many of the solutions. 

Having come to the fore in this way, our sector still provides a backbone to the health and wellbeing of the population. Yet, with all the global economic pressures today, there is a tendency for some to cut corners. Buyers need to be able to differentiate ethical businesses from the unscrupulous. 

Our Code of Practice can help. Amongst other stipulations, it requires members to ‘conduct business dealings in an open, honest, fair and proper manner’; ‘to ensure all public statements made by and on behalf of the member are decent, honest and truthful’; and ‘to apply the highest ethical standards’. 

The UK’s drive to Net Zero is also driving the industry. Our sector takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. At the CHSA we developed our Roadmap to Sustainability to provide members with a framework for moving to sustainable solutions. It covers product, packaging, transport, social values and corporate environmental impact and offers a structure they can use to develop and implement incremental improvements. 

The focus on sustainability brings with it the problem of greenwashing, organisations claiming things that sound good but have no real substance. Buyers need to be alert to this and challenge their suppliers to define what they mean and provide evidence to support their claim. Our Code of Practice, which all members are required to sign, includes the Competition and Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code.

The cleaning and hygiene sector is also becoming smarter. Our manufacturing members increasingly provide far more than just the product. They have innovated and integrated solutions that improve operational efficiency and user experience. From AI-powered robotic floor cleaners to smart dispensers that track usage and reduce waste, our members are harnessing technology to optimise performance and cut costs. Many cleaning product systems now come with IoT (Internet of Things) features that provide real-time data to facilities teams, helping them manage stock levels, detect equipment faults, and improve cleaning schedules. 

Our distributor members, meanwhile, are becoming knowledge partners to their customers. With expertise in regulations, health and safety standards, and product application, they help clients make informed choices that improve outcomes. A growing number of distributors also offer training programmes, digital procurement platforms, and customisable product bundles tailored to specific sectors—be it healthcare, hospitality, or education.

Through their innovation and focus on the increasingly complex demands faced by customers and end users, our members are elevating the cleaning and hygiene supply chain itself from commodity provider to strategic partner. 

At the heart of it all are our Accreditation Schemes. Our commitment to standards began in 1997 with the launch of our first Accreditation Scheme. Today we have Accreditation Schemes for Manufacturers of Soft Tissue, Plastic Sacks, Cotton Mops and Cleaning Chemicals and for Distributors. All are underpinned by the comprehensive auditing process undertaken by the Independent Inspector, a quality assurance professional. 

Our Standards. Your Guarantee.

@CHSACleaning

www.CHSA.co.uk

Grief Encounter was named the CHSA’s nominated charity in 2019. Following this year’s donation the total sum raised for Grief Encounter is now £50,000. 

Grief Encounter supports grieving children, young people and their families to find hope, healing and build resilience following the death of someone close. The charity relies entirely on voluntary gifts. This donation provides valuable, much-needed funds for services including a dedicated Bereavement Support team, one-to-one therapy, group workshops, family support and therapeutic weekend residentials. 

Andy Watts, Head of Partnerships at Grief Encounter said: “The death of someone close is incredibly difficult at any age, but for a child or young person it can be devastating. It turns their world upside down and leaves them feeling fearful, isolated and utterly lost. This gift from the CHSA makes a huge difference to us, helping us to walk by the side of bereaved children and young people during their darkest moments. 

“The donations we have received so far from the CHSA provide the equivalent funding for 350 therapy sessions and a residential weekend for 15 families. Therapy helps children and young people explore difficult emotions openly and honestly and the residential weekend provides opportunities for young people to develop resilience and create meaningful friendships and connections.”

One child in every UK classroom will experience the death of someone close by the time they reach 16 years old. Studies have shown bereaved children can face long-term social and emotional difficulties if they do not receive the right support at the right time, following the death of someone close.

A young person who received support from Grief Encounter said: “Here [at Grief Encounter] I feel like I can open up slowly and let out my feelings bit by bit, without being forced to. I like it because it feels like they really listen to me. I feel much better, much more capable of sharing my feelings.”

Lorcan Mekitarian, chair of the CHSA said: “Grief Encounter does an amazing job supporting children and young people through an extremely difficult time. We are incredibly proud to be able to support them in this work.

“We are very grateful to our members and their guests who attended our Gala Ball and our sponsors. Their contributions make it possible for us to support Grief Encounter.”

The 2025 Gala Ball was made possible by the sponsors: Greyland, Northwood, Polaris, SC Johnson and Vow Wholesale. The many organisations who donated raffle prizes also made it possible to raise such a significant sum for Grief Encounter.

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

Discover more about Grief Encounter’s mission and impact at: https://www.griefencounter.org.uk/

Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the CHSA, said: “Carbon reporting is important for our members. It provides the information they need to support the move towards Net Zero but the process is complex. This guidance has been developed to help our members navigate these complexities.

“Our goal, as always, is to advocate an ethical approach. We are supporting our members to genuinely cut their carbon emissions and be transparent in the approach. This philosophy aligns to our Code of Practice and Ethical Marketing Commitment. Signed by every member, they require them to be open and honest in their business conduct and for statements and claims to be truthful and supported by evidence. This philosophy is at the heart of all we do.”

The CHSA’s guide on how to calculate the carbon footprint outlines a five-step process. 

• Step 1 is to understand the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol’s Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissionsand which elements are relevant to the business
• Step 2 is to find a third party to assist with the data collection and calculation. There are many tools available to ease the process of collection and calculation
• Step 3 is to collect the data
• Step 4 is to obtain independent verification of the data
• Step 5 is to use the information gather to create and deliver a carbon reduction plan.

The guide also explains the GHG Protocols Scopes 1, 2 and 3 and outlines a high-levelmethodology for data collection. 

The webinar focused on how to calculate and verify carbon emissions. Experts from Planet Mark, Nero and Interface explained the jargon, Net Zero and its importance, and Scopes 1, 2 and 3. They discussed how to gather the data and the associated opportunities and risks, and finally the value of verification. They also answered questions, which included who in the supply chain is responsible for calculating and counting which emission? What’s the right methodology for the calculation? 

The guide and the webinar recording are both available now on the CHSA website: https://chsa.co.uk/roadmap-to-sustainability

@CHSACleaning

www.CHSA.co.uk

TEL: 0800 243 919

The Bursary is open only to the children of CHSA members’ employees. 

Following a panel interview, chaired by David Garcia, Vice President and Treasurer of the CHSA, Ruby Burgess, Thomas Baker, Lottie Harrison and Rose Lewis were selected as the recipients.  

The four recipients will each receive £6,000 over the course of their university career, paid in three installments. At the start of each academic year, or the first three years if the degree is longer, the successful applicants will receive £2,000. 

Ruby Burgess is to study a BSc in Geography at Lancaster University. Her father works at Diversey UK. Thomas Baker, whose father works at CJS Portsmouth, intends to study a BSc in Plant Science at Cornwall College University Centre at the Eden Project. Lottie Harrison, whose grandfather works at Evans Vanodine, is to study Psychology with Counselling at Manchester Metropolitan University. Rose Lewis is to study a BA in Animation Production at Arts University Bournemouth. Her father works at Karcher.

Since it was first awarded in 2016 in its current form, 25 young people have benefitted from the financial support offered by the Bursary. It has made it possible for them to capitalize on the potential of all that is on offer at university. They have used it to pay for books and study materials, field trips and club memberships. 

Applicants were assessed according to need, worthiness endeavour, and overall performance.   

David Garcia explained: “The Bursary is incredibly important to the CHSA. We are very proud of the opportunity to give something back in such a tangible way. It is a delight to receive updates from the successful applicants, telling us how they are getting on and their plans and aspirations for the future. 

“Meeting these talented young people is always a pleasure but making the final decision is a challenge. The calibre this year was particularly high, making it harder than ever to reach the final decision. We debate and discuss before settling on the final winners, considering their commitment, determination, capability and, finally, the special x-factor. I wish we could award the bursary to them all.  We very much hope the final four, and all the applicants, enjoy their time and university.”   

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

TEL: 0800 243 919