A commitment to standards: the motivation behind members of the CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes

Vernon Holmes, Vice Chairman of Scot Young Research said: “We welcomed the launch of the Accreditation Scheme for Distributors in January 2017. It built on the work the CHSA had already done to drive up standards. Now, more than ever, end users can be confident they get a quality product from CHSA members.”

The Schemes are making it increasingly difficult for companies to compete by mis-leading customers. One of the first to join the CHSA’s Accreditation Scheme for Distributors, Dave Bruce, Director of DJB Supplies, explained: “The CHSA Accredited Distributor Scheme means there’s a level trading platform. This platform is only getting stronger as more and more distributors join the Scheme.”

Their customers value their membership of the CHSA Accreditation Schemes. As Lorcan Mekitarian, sales director of PRC BPI Recycled Products, said, they are not experts in the products. “Our membership of the Accreditation Scheme means they don’t have to be,” he said. “They just need to look for the marque to be certain they are getting the quality product promised on the label.”

Scheme members value the inspection process, which underpins each of the Accreditation Schemes.

Lorcan continued: “An Accreditation Scheme is only as good as the rigour of the auditing process, which is where the CHSA excels. It’s a stringent process, which gives all of us as members, as well as our customers, real confidence in the Scheme.”

Members also said their employees are proud of their membership.  As Vernon Holmes, Vice Chairman of Scot Young Research, explained: “They appreciate membership of the CHSA Accreditation Scheme; it recognises their hard work in producing a quality product.”

The CHSA operates four Accreditation Schemes, one for distributors and three for manufacturers, one each for Soft Tissue, Plastic Refuse Sacks and Industrial Cotton Mops. Through the rigorous auditing process the Schemes ensure each label accurately reflects the contents of the box, product is traceable to batch and manufacturer or distributor, dimensions and weight are as specified and cotton mops and refuse sacks are fit for purpose. Members’ quality systems are also reviewed to ensure they are vigilant with their own systems.

Should a member of any of the Schemes fail to meet the relevant standard, they may be ultimately expelled, a sanction the CHSA has not had to resort to in recent years. Gaining admittance to an Accreditation Scheme is also challenging. Applicants must pass the initial audit of their full product range and existing quality assurance processes. They are then audited throughout the first year to ensure they maintain the standard.