We all expect the public spaces in which we work, eat, socialise, and pass through to be both clean and safe. These expectations are met thanks to the work of the companies and associations in the A.I.S.E. network. The professional cleaning and hygiene industry ensures high levels of cleanliness and – where appropriate – disinfection in public spaces. Companies operating in the sector provide a wide variety of products and services for professionals who are often dealing with very specialised cleaning and hygiene needs.
The portfolio of products and services for professional cleaning and hygiene is vast and includes many niche products used in a range of industries and applications across six core categories.
A Full Service Offering
In the professional cleaning sector, service is as important as the products themselves. Professional customers can have unique operational demands that require customised solutions. The products and services that meet specific cleaning needs form part of a complete delivery system requiring special packaging, dosing, and control equipment – and often tailored distribution and sales models too.
Not only are the products and services often tailor-made but A.I.S.E. members provide service and training too – including environmental safety information, advice on cleaning techniques and training of personnel.
Focusing On Safety
Companies have a key responsibility to provide accurate, up-to-date, safe use information to their customers to inform them about the precautions required in handling and sorting products.
A.I.S.E. member companies active in professional cleaning have taken a proactive approach to communicating safe use information to customers for over 20 years – including using our specially developed application pictograms, a practice which has subsequently also been taken up for consumer products.
Safe Use of Mixtures Information documents (SUMIs) are another valuable tool developed by A.I.S.E. that offers manufacturers supplying to the industrial and professional cleaning industry a standardised way to provide clear and accessible information to cleaners using the products on how to use them safely.
With product safety an absolute priority, stringent controls and regulations apply to the sector to help ensure the safety of workers (human exposure) and of the environment (water, air, soil, etc.). To understand the applicable EU legislation that applies to this sector, go to the Product Stewardship section.
Focusing On Sustainable Cleaning Solutions
The industry has become a leader in sustainability by developing products and processes over the years that align with the ambitious environmental goals set by the EU and UN. Through innovation and participation in multiple voluntary initiatives, the industry contributes to these agendas. Professional cleaning products are inherently sustainable. Companies optimise resources with highly concentrated products that reduce packaging, transport, and thus CO2 emissions. The industry’s state of the art dosing equipment ensures the correct amount of detergent for each application, leading to optimal performance. Correct dosing leads to a vastly reduced use of chemicals, water, heat and energy.
Over 50 companies active in professional cleaning are currently members of the Charter for Sustainable Cleaning. As part of the Charter, Advanced Sustainability Profiles (ASP) are required for product groups such as professional building care products, covering specifics such as packaging weight; recyclability, reusability, compostability; dosing systems; training and end user information; and cleaning performance.
Working In Partnership And Engaging Stakeholders
Collaboration with counterparts in complementary industries, including the industrial textile services (ETSA), cleaning personnel services (EFCI) and machine equipment industries (EUnited) is important in the professional cleaning sector. The total market value represented by these different sectors is a key component of the EU economy and delivers tangible public health benefits. A.I.S.E. attends a number of global conferences to showcase the work of the detergents industry and engage with stakeholders, such as CMS Berlin, Interclean Amsterdam, Sepawa Congress and the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Convention.
