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The Independent Inspector responsible for auditing the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association’s (CHSA) members has found high levels of compliance across all the Association’s Accreditation Schemes.
The CHSA operates Accreditation Schemes for manufacturers of soft tissue, plastic refuse sacks, cotton mops and cleaning chemicals. It also operates Accreditation Schemes for distributors and for general manufacturers.
By 30 June 2024, 90 audits had been completed. This involved reviewing 22,250 product lines in the Accreditation Scheme for distributors. Across the Schemes for soft tissue, plastic sacks and cotton mops, over 1,153 product labels have been checked and 622 individual products have been tested. Compliance exceeded 90% across all Accreditation Schemes.
To meet the Scheme specifications the label must indicate the required information, which includes the manufacturer and the precise specifications of the product within the box. Depending on the product, this involves checking the sheet count, width, duty, weight and or performance of the product. The Inspector also assesses the member’s quality assurance procedures. For distributors he confirms if product is from a CHSA Accredited Manufacturer and where it is not, that it conforms to the specification of the relevant scheme.
Nicky Biggart, Chair of the CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes, explained: “We guarantee ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’. Working closely with our inspector to make sure our members meet the required specification underpins our guarantee. This means buyers can trust the CHSA mark wherever they see it, recognising the Accreditation Scheme logo as a guarantee of quality.
“The audit results for the first half of 2024 give buyers the evidence they need to trust the CHSA Certification Mark.”
Every CHSA member has also signed the CHSA’s rigorous Code of Practice, which includes the Competition & Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code.
The combination of the Code of Practice and Accreditation Scheme membership means every member:
· Trades ethically and sustainably;
· Provides supporting information for claims made;
· 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.
