When choosing a janitorial provider for your organization, consider your company’s core values when looking at the provider’s certifications. These certifications ensure that services include quality, safety, and sustainability. Certifications will meet the industry’s standards, and also your organization’s.
But which should you be looking for? Below, we’ll lay out the certifications worth considering in a commercial cleaning company, along with some insider tips.
Why Are Certifications Important for Janitorial Service Providers?
When you use a certified janitorial company, it shows commitment to the industry standards and best practices. Plus, certifications offer guidelines for evaluations to make sure your company’s objectives are met. With many certifications, your service provider can follow clear benchmarks and evaluation tools to ensure that cleanliness and safety goals are high-quality.
Consider what certifications are most important to your facility when choosing a janitorial service. If the janitorial provider is reputable, it will have proper certifications relevant to your industry’s standards.
Key Janitorial Certifications To Look For in a Provider
There are a lot of janitorial certifications out there, and they may vary depending on location and industry. Some certifications focus on safety and sanitation, while others focus on environmental consciousness.
Here are the most important certifications to look for in a janitorial service:
- International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA)
- Building Contractors Association International (BSCAI)
- International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
- Stericycle
- Green Seal
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Background Checks and Other Mandated Clearances
ISSA
The ISSA is a global trade association for the cleaning industry that represents manufacturers, distributors, building service contractors, in-house service providers, and residential cleaners. They offer education, certification, and networking for professionals and organizations in the cleaning sector, while upholding industry standards and best practices. ISSA offers three programs for organizations. These include:
- Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS): A framework that helps cleaning professionals improve their services by focusing on quality, delivery, human resources, health and safety, and management.
- ISSA Clean Standards: These standards are set by ISSA that promote best practices for proper cleaning for all types of surfaces and spaces, which include documentation and compliance tracking.
- GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) Star Accreditation: Helps organizations prepare for biohazard situations and real-time crises. It’s a detailed framework for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention that includes documentation and compliance tracking.
BSCAI
The BSCAI educates contract cleaning companies by offering resources and solutions to help with staffing, bidding, customer service, retention, and any other common obstacles. They provide support through training and certification programs, as well as advocacy around industry standards and industry research.
IFMA
As a globally recognized leader in facility management, IFMA sets industry standards through its certifications, research publications, and international events. It focuses on sustainability, innovation, and high cleaning standards directly influence the janitorial services industry.
Stericycle
Stericycle is an American compliance company that provides regulated waste management and compliance solutions. Stericyle specializes in the safe collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste, pharmaceutical waste, and sharps waste (such as needles, syringes, and blades), as well as offering OSHA and HIPAA compliance training.
Green Seal
Green Seal is a globally recognized certified janitorial program that focuses on environmentally friendly products and janitorial services. An organization can carry the Green Seal by using their various certified products and services. When it comes to janitorial services, this includes cleaning products, laundry care products, trash bags, and sanitary paper products.
OSHA
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the U.S. government agency that ensures safe and healthy conditions for employees. Becoming OSHA certified involves the completion of the agency’s specific training programs.
There are 10-hour programs for entry-level workers and 30-hour programs for supervisors. Some examples of topics covered in these programs include hazard communication, bloodborne pathogens, personal protective equipment (PPE), slips, trips, and falls.
Hiring an OSHA-certified janitorial provider ensures safety and guarantees compliance with health and cleaning regulations.
Background Checks and Other State-Mandated Clearances
Reputable janitorial companies often require background checks and other state-mandated employee clearances. This ensures safety and trust for their clients. Clearances verify that employees don’t pose a risk in any workplace, but especially in places like schools, healthcare facilities, and government buildings.
Tips for Verifying a Janitorial Certification
Choosing your janitorial service provider is an important investment for your facility’s cleanliness, safety, and overall success. Make sure you understand which certifications and clearances a commercial cleaner has and how it will align with your expectations before signing a service agreement.
Here are a few tips to consider when you’re preparing to go into contract signings with your janitorial services provider:
- Research the company that issued the certification: Verify that the certifications of your janitorial provider prospects are credible and well-established, as well as recognized by the industry.
- Confirm the credentials: Ask facility managers or other businesses you know for references and reviews of their janitorial service providers.
- Determine your state regulations and mandates: These could vary by location and could affect the guidelines for the provider.
- Ask for details about the training: This includes the education and training that goes into becoming a certified janitorial service provider.
- Be aware of red flags: Companies should be proud of their certifications. If a prospect is vague when answering your questions on their certifications and training, it may be an indicator to inquire further or look elsewhere.
What If My Janitorial Service Provider Doesn’t Have Certifications?
If your janitorial service doesn’t have its certifications, it may be time to consider the next steps. While being a certified janitorial provider may not be a legal requirement, it could be a reflection of the company’s commitment to quality, training, standards, and consistency.
If you prefer a company with specific certifications or standards, make sure to clearly define your expectations. Establish a detailed cleaning plan that outlines specific processes that align with industry standards and goals.
Why Should Janitorial Certifications Matter to You?
Janitorial certifications serve as a testament to the organization's commitment to maintaining high standards through quality and consistency. Choose a janitorial organization whose certifications align with the priorities that matter most to your organization.
B&T Building Services takes janitorial certifications seriously. It’s why we are members of BSCAI (Building Service Contractors Association International), which provides access to training and proven processes. Contact us today to learn more about what certified janitorial services we can offer you and potentially schedule a walkthrough.
