CHSA Warns Against Misleading 'Green' Claims in Cleaning Chemicals

• Content
• News
• CHSA Warns Against Misleading 'Green' Claims in Cleaning Chemicals

20 August 2024

The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association wants to ensure facilities managers make informed decisions when purchasing cleaning chemicals.

The new campaign aims to raise awareness of industry-standard regulations in the procurement of cleaning and hygiene chemicals, including formal UK Government, European Union and industry-standard regulations.

This is to ensure transparency and protect buyers from being misled by environmental claims in the rush toward sustainable solutions.

Phrases to be Wary of When Purchasing Sustainable Cleaning Chemicals

Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association, said: “Buyers and end users need to be able to trust the product and sales and marketing claims. They need to be certain of the balance between efficacy and sustainability and they need to make sure they are using the right product for the job in hand. They are not chemists, however, so may be misled by seductive sales and marketing messaging.

“Our advice is to talk to your manufacturer and ask for evidence to support their claims. This will come in the form of their technical data sheets, third party verifications and certifications and, importantly, proof of regulatory compliance.”

Undefined phrases to be wary of include: “non-renewable chemicals”, “chemical-free”, “natural”, “five times filtered water”, and “non-toxic”. The word “biodegradable” when describing cleaning products should also be questioned, checking that it corresponds with Detergent Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 legislation and corresponding UK post Brexit legislation. 

Similarly “organic” products must be certified and “net-zero” claims should be based on the SBTi standard or another reliable third party verified certification.

Picture: a photograph of a person squeezing a bottle of cleaning fluid into a toilet bowl. A toilet brush can also be seen in the pan. Image Credit: Pexels

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 20 August 2024

Share

Related Articles