Ensuring your workplace is hygienically clean isn’t just about appearances. It’s essential for safety, compliance, and protecting your business reputation. But how can you be sure a cleaning company is truly up to standard? The answer often lies in their commercial cleaning certifications and recognised industry qualifications.

This guide will help business owners and decision-makers understand the key certifications, what they mean, and why they should matter when choosing a cleaning provider.

Why Cleaning Certifications Matter to Your Business

For businesses with premises, cleaning is not a background task. It’s a frontline defence against risks such as illness outbreaks, workplace accidents, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. Partnering with a company that holds the right commercial cleaning certifications offers reassurance that your premises are maintained to recognised standards of quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.

In sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, and education, compliance with cleaning standards isn’t optional. Certified cleaning services help you meet your legal obligations under UK regulations such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, protecting staff, visitors, and your organisation’s sustainability commitments.

Key Commercial Cleaning Certifications & Qualifications

Not all cleaning companies are created equal. Here are the key cleaning qualifications and certifications you should look out for:

CIMS (Cleaning Industry Management Standard)

CIMS, from ISSA, is a globally recognised standard that assesses cleaning companies across areas like service quality, health and safety, environmental stewardship, and customer satisfaction. A CIMS-certified company has proven it follows best practices in cleaning management and delivers reliable, documented service standards.

ISO 9001 (Quality Management)

ISO 9001 is one of the most widely adopted standards for quality management systems. For cleaning companies, this certification ensures that services are consistent, monitored, and continually improved. So you have peace of mind that quality won’t slip over time.

ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)

Businesses with environmental goals should look for cleaning partners with ISO 14001 certification. This shows the cleaning provider takes steps to reduce environmental impact, such as using eco-friendly products and minimising waste. It also helps ensure compliance with environmental regulations such as the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

BICSc (British Institute of Cleaning Science)

BICSc certification is focused on the people delivering your cleaning service. It ensures cleaning operatives are properly trained and assessed to industry-recognised standards, reducing the risk of poor cleaning practices and cross-contamination.

SafeContractor & CHAS

These health and safety accreditations demonstrate that the cleaning company follows robust health and safety procedures, protecting both their staff and your site visitors. Accreditation from schemes like SafeContractor and CHAS also helps businesses meet obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

What to Expect from a Certified Cleaning Company

Choosing a cleaning company that holds commercial cleaning certifications ensures more than a badge of honour. It all but guarantees consistent, verified cleaning standards that protect your team, satisfy audits, and reduce costly complaints.

Here’s what you should expect from a certified cleaning provider:

  • Clear, documented cleaning procedures
  • Staff with verified cleaning qualifications and training records
  • Regular audits and reporting on service performance
  • Cleaning plans tailored to your site’s specific risks and needs
  • Clear escalation processes if cleaning standards fall short

These standards not only protect your premises but also support compliance with regulations such as COSHH and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, ensuring peace of mind for your business.

Key Questions to Ask Your Cleaning Provider

Before signing a contract, ask your cleaning company the following:

  • Are you ISO 9001 or CIMS certified?
  • Can you provide proof of your cleaning qualifications and staff training?
  • How do you ensure consistent cleaning standards on my site?

A reputable provider should have no issue answering these questions or providing supporting documents. If they hesitate or avoid the question, that’s a red flag.

Dorset Commercial Cleaning: Committed to Industry Standards

At Dorset Commercial Cleaning, we proudly hold certifications and the relevant accreditations. Our team’s professional cleaning qualifications are also backed by training, ensuring we deliver industry-recognised standards across every site we service.

We adhere strictly to health and safety best practices, environmental responsibility, and documented cleaning procedures. Helping you stay compliant, protect your people, and maintain a safe, clean environment.

If you’d like to ensure your premises meet the right cleaning standards, get in touch today for a no-obligation site assessment.