The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association’s (CHSA) Independent Inspector conducted more than 139 audits in 2022, guaranteeing the continued integrity of the Association’s Accreditation Schemes.
In the process he inspected over 1500 labels, tested over 507 product lines and physically tested 4170 individual products. Compliance continued to be high, each Scheme achieving over 90%. With such high levels of compliance, buyers and end users of these products can be certain ‘what’s on the box was what’s in the box’.
Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the CHSA, said: “The CHSA’s Guarantee was particularly important in 2022. Rising inflation put pressure on prices. Unscrupulous traders compromised on product quality and quantity to offer exceptionally low prices. The CHSA’s Accreditation Scheme mark offered something different, a stamp of quality buyers of cleaning and hygiene products could and can continue to depend on.
“Our advice to buyers is to look first for the Accreditation Scheme logo to guarantee quality. If there’s any uncertainty about the legitimacy of the manufacturer’s or distributor’s claim, check our website. It carries a full list of members. If they’re not listed on our website, they’re not Accredited by the CHSA.”
The CHSA operates six Accreditation Schemes. They are for manufacturers of paper-based products, plastic-based products, cotton-based products, and cleaning chemicals, for general manufacturers and for distributors of cleaning and hygiene products.
The Independent Inspector audits members twice a year where possible. He checks the labels contain the required information and that the product is as stated on the label. Depending on the product, this involves checking the sheet count, width, duty, weight and or performance of the product. He also assesses the member’s quality assurance procedures. For distributors, he confirms if product is from a CHSA Accredited Manufacturer and where it’s not, that it conforms to the specification of the relevant scheme.
A total of 36 audits were conducted across the 17 members of the paper-based Accreditation Scheme. 827 labels were checked and 234 product lines tested, with 1170 individual rolls and sheet products counted and measured. Excluding minor infringements, members achieved 94% compliance.
There are 20 members of the Accreditation Scheme for plastic-based products. The Independent Inspector conducted 39 audits in 2022, checking 680 labels and 170 product lines. This involved testing 1700 individual plastic refuse sacks. Members achieved 93% overall compliance.
The Independent Inspector conducted 12 audits across the six members of the Accreditation Scheme for cotton-based products. 103 labels and product lines were checked, 1030 individual mops being checked in the process. Members achieved 97% overall compliance.
The 17 members of the Accreditation Scheme for Manufacturers of Cleaning and Hygiene Chemicals were reviewed by the inspector and their status confirmed.
Every distributor member of the CHSA was also audited against their commitment to buy products from a CHSA Accredited Manufacturer and if buying from an alternative manufacturer that the product conformed to the requirements of the relevant Accreditation Scheme. 46 audits were completed within the Accreditation Scheme for Distributors. This involved reviewing 45,008 product lines and sampling 62 products not Accredited by the CHSA. 52% of all relevant suppliers were CHSA Accredited, supplying over 77% of the relevant products.
Every CHSA member has also signed the CHSA’s rigorous Code of Practice. It requires them to ‘maintain a high standard in the conduct of its business’.
The CHSA has integrated the Competition & Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code into its Code of Practice. It requires environmental claims to be truthful and accurate, clear and unambiguous, consider the full lifecycle of the product or service, be substantiated and must not hide important or relevant information. Also, comparisons must be fair and meaningful.
The combination of the Code of Practice and Accreditation Scheme membership means every member:
- Trades ethically and sustainably;
- Provides quality, fit for purpose products; and
- Makes sure ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’.
Committed to the integrity of the Schemes, the CHSA’s governing council will expel any Scheme member who, despite being offered the guidance required to correct issues, consistently fails to conform to the relevant Scheme Standard.
