Compliance has never been more prominent and ensuring high standards is a major priority when it comes to contract cleaning.  When clients are tendering their cleaning contracts these accreditations are an efficient way to filter and create a shortlist of those best qualified to provide the service.  But what do these accreditations mean and why does it matter?  This blog looks at compliance through cleaning industry accreditations.

6 cleaning industry accreditations

ISO 9001:2015

ISO 9001 is a globally recognised standard that sets out the criteria for a quality management system.  It helps ensure that clients receive consistent, good-quality cleaning services.  The 8 key principles are below.

  • Customer focused business practices and customer satisfaction
  • Strong and competent leadership
  • Involvement of people
  • A process driven approach to cleaning
  • A systematic approach to cleaning management
  • A culture of continual improvement
  • Evidence based decision making
  • Excellence in client relationship management

Examples include structured contract management processes such as operational and strategic SLA and KPI to measure and track cleaning services.

ISO 14001:2015

ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for an environmental management system.  It is important as it demonstrates that a company is monitoring, measuring and making improvements to its environmental impact.  It matters because it helps organisations make their day to day operations be more sustainable.

Examples include the use of eco friendly cleaning materials, providing integrated recycling services to clients and investing in modern cleaning equipment which use less water and has energy saving credentials.

SafeContractor

Alcumus SafeContractor is an accreditation scheme which recognises a contractor’s health and safety capabilities and demonstrates their commitment and ability.  It gives clients reassurance that the cleaning contractor is competent, has met certain standards and puts their employee’s health and safety first and foremost.

Additional options include SafePQQ verification (which is aligned to the PAS91 question set) which covers topics such as finance, right to work, equal opportunities and diversity.

There is also a schedule to SafeContractor relating specifically to COVID-19 cleaning, deep cleaning and office cleaning.

CHAS (Contractor Health and Safety Assessment Scheme)

CHAS is a leading authority and accreditation scheme for contractors to demonstrate compliance  to health and safety standards.  Certification demonstrates compliance with and sound management of current health and safety legislation.  It ensures that contractors adopt best practice for risk prevention and meet excellent standards.

Avetta

Avetta is an accreditation that offers supply chain management and risk mitigation solutions.  It is a one-stop-shop for all company documentation and certificates and verification demonstrates that a company is qualified, licensed and has the required safety processes in place.  The vetting process varies according to sector and client requirements but generally covers these areas below.

  • Safety criteria – clients set their own requirements which their suppliers must meet. This could include health and safety policies, corporate information and sustainability
  • Questionnaires for documents, for example insurance certificates, audits and financial statements
  • Compliance status, for example GDPR and employee background security checking procedures

Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP)

SSIP is an umbrella organisation where registered and certification body members complete health and safety assessments on suppliers.  It is not an assessment scheme in itself and aims to reduce the requirement to be assessed by multiple schemes, avoiding duplication and cost on both sides.  Suppliers cannot join or become members of SSIP, but can benefit from accreditation through certification from a member scheme for example Alcumus and CHAS.

TemcoUK Facility Services is a fully accredited contract cleaning company

Temco is an experienced and fully accredited commercial cleaning contractor.  We are fully compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements, and meet stringent industry standards to ensure client safety and cleaning requirements.  Our accreditations highlight our commitment to good working practices and health and safety management.

Why do accreditations matter?  There are two main benefits for clients

The first is that professional accreditation saves time for the client conducting due diligence on their contractors.  Independent assessment schemes demonstrate that service providers have been assessed to an industry recognised standard.

The second is that clients will have the reassurance that industry standard procedures are being adhered to.  Companies that embrace certification will have had to demonstrate professional management systems throughout their business.

We hold the following accreditations (correct at the time of writing).

ISOs

  • ISO 9001
  • ISO 14001

Health and Safety

  • SafeContractor including SafePQQ and COVID-19 cleaning
  • CHAS
  • SSIP
  • Avetta

Trade association membership

  • British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS)
  • The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM)

Please contact us if you’d like to understand more about our cleaning accreditations or if you’d like a quote for your office please call 01895 520370.