The rising cost of raw materials and energy is creating the perfect opportunity for unscrupulous providers of cleaning and hygiene products, says the Cleaning & Hygiene Support Association (CHSA).
Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the CHSA, explained: “Buyers of cleaning and hygiene products need to beware of providers offering low-cost solutions. Against the backdrop of the escalating cost of raw materials and energy, those reducing prices are likely to be cutting corners. The only way buyers can guarantee they get what they pay for is to look for the CHSA Accreditation Scheme mark.”
This warning follows the publication of the British Chambers of Commerce’s latest quarterly survey, published on 1 April 2022. It found almost two-thirds of businesses expect to increase prices during the next three months and more than three quarters cite inflation as a growing concern.
The dramatic escalation in the global cost of energy is having a big impact on the price to the end user. As well as affecting manufacturers’ own operations, it’s also driving up the cost of raw materials. The resulting upward pressure on the price of end products is unstoppable. In this context, companies offering reduced prices are likely to be compromising on product quality and quantity.
The CHSA established its first Accreditation Scheme in 1997. For manufacturers of soft tissue, the Scheme tackled the problem of the unscrupulous selling low-cost soft tissue products that was shorter or narrower than stated on the packaging. The CHSA’s auditing process, conducted by the Independent Inspector, guaranteed ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’ for all soft tissue products sold by Scheme members.
The CHSA now has six Accreditation Schemes: for manufacturers of paper-based products, of plastic-based products, of cotton-based products and of cleaning chemicals, for general manufacturers and for distributors. These, combined with the Association’s rigorous Code of Practice signed by every member, guarantee CHSA members:
- Trade ethically and sustainably;
- Provide quality, fit-for-purpose products; and
- Make sure ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’.
