‘If it sounds too good to be true, it is” – advice from the CHSA on false claims

As the lockdown in the UK begins to lift, organisations need to clean and keep clean offices, shops, and all other public spaces. The advice from the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) is to be cautious of extraordinary claims for products – “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

Demand for certain cleaning and hygiene products – hand and hard surface sanitisers, gloves, disposable polythene aprons, non-woven wipes – continues to far outstrip supply. Unscrupulous profiteers are capitalising on the opportunity, some making extraordinary, false claims for products.

Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the CHSA said: “We have seen some remarkable claims for products. They have included statements that cleaning once with a hard surface sanitiser will keep a surface sterile for days. It sounds exactly what businesses need, but it’s only true in laboratory conditions. In a real-life environment, as soon as someone or something touches the surface there’ll be a residue on which the coronavirus can survive.

“As we’re previously reported, there is also a marked increase in imported Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with fake or no CE marking. The CE certification mark indicates conformance with European Union directives regarding health and safety or environmental protection.

“Turning to products with extraordinary claims is tempting, particularly when your regular suppliers may be rationing product due to shortages. Buying product from new, unknown suppliers claiming to have good stocks of ‘compliant product’ may sound good but it’s a waste of money if they don’t have the right certification mark.

“Our advice is to be cautious – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

The CHSA is advising buyers of cleaning and hygiene products to:

1. Be sceptical about product clams. It if sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask for evidence to back up the claims, obtain CE declaration and or any test reports to show conformance to specification

2. Buy from a reputable supplier. Members of the CHSA have all signed the Association’s rigorous Code of Practice, which requires members to be “’well established’ in the cleaning and hygiene industry and to maintain a high standard in the conduct of its business.” Look for the CHSA logo and CHSA Accreditation Scheme stamp.

The CHSA Accreditation Scheme stamp guarantees members of the Schemes for Distributors and Manufacturers of Soft Tissue, Plastic Refuse Sacks and Industrial Cotton Mops make sure ‘what’s in the box is what’s on the box.’

Compliance to the CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes and Code of Practice is guaranteed by a rigorous auditing process conducted by an independent inspector.

@CHSACleaning
www.CHSA.co.uk