Updates from the Leading Association for the Cleaning Industry Worldwide

EPA Recognizes ISSA & Select Members

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized ISSA and more than 30 of its member companies as environmental leaders under the Design for the Environment (DfE) Program’s Safer Detergent Stewardship Initiative (SDSI) at a formal ceremony held November 19 in Washington, D.C.

The SDSI recognizes environmental leaders that voluntarily commit to or otherwise promote the use of safer surfactants. Surfactants are one of the most common ingredients used in cleaning-product formulations. “Safer” surfactants break down quickly to nonpolluting compounds and help protect aquatic life in both fresh and salt water. “This type of positive recognition from the EPA speaks highly of the cleaning industry and ISSA-member companies in particular as environmentally progressive,” said ISSA Director of Legislative Affairs Bill Balek. Balek noted that out of the approximately 50 companies recognized under the SDSI, the vast majority were ISSA members.

The SDSI has two categories of recognition: Champion and Partner. ISSA was recognized as a Champion, the highest recognition level offered. ISSA formulator members recognized as Champions have demonstrated the use of only safer surfactants in products as well as documented a strategy for ensuring that only such ingredients are used.

ISSA members recognized as Partners have committed to using only safer surfactants in their product formulations by a definite date as well as documented a strategy that ensures they fulfill that commitment.

A complete list of companies honored by the EPA under the SDSI is available online.

ISSA & BSCAI Partner for Workplace Safety

ISSA and alliance partner the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) will work together to increase public awareness of the importance of workplace safety and health by jointly supporting North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week, May 3-9, 2009.

NAOSH Week is presented by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Alliance. The NAOSH Week kickoff event will be held at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., on May 3. NAOSH Week is aimed at increasing the focus of employers, employees, and the general public on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

ISSA and BSCAI will partner to share information about workplace-safety and health issues with their respective memberships during NAOSH Week and will encourage member companies to review practices that reduce occupational injury and illness.

“ISSA is proud to once again be an active supporter of the North American Occupational Safety & Health Week, and we are happy to work with BSCAI to spread awareness of workplace-safety resources among our members,” said ISSA President Bob Stahurski. “This remains of paramount importance, and we will continue to work together to do whatever it takes to reduce the incidence of workplace injuries and illnesses in our industry.”

Supporting NAOSH Week is the latest example of how the BSCAI/ISSA alliance is working together to create increased value for both memberships.

“We’re delighted to join the coalition of organizations supporting NAOSH Week,” said BSCAI President-Elect Stan Doobin. “Workplace-safety and health issues are extremely important to our member firms and their respective employees.”

Both groups will also make a variety of workplace-safety resources available at the upcoming BSCAI Annual Convention & Trade Show, March 6-9, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, in Chicago, IL.

Also, ISSA and OSHA have worked together through a formal alliance to develop a one-of-a-kind Web network and online library of safety and health information at www.issa.com/osha.

Specifically, the ISSA Safety and Health Portal offers workplace-safety and health topic pages providing detailed information on regulatory-compliance obligations, tips and resources for creating and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, and direct links to various additional compliance resources.

Numerous resources will also be available in conjunction with NAOSH Week 2009. Materials are available from the ASSE.

CIMS Certification Expert Total Reaches 338 Individuals; 2009 I.C.E. Workshop Scheduled

ISSA has announced the final group of individuals to achieve certification as official Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) ISSA Certification Experts (I.C.E.) in 2008. This brings the total number of experts to 338 individuals representing 47 U.S. states and Canadian provinces as well as Mexico and the Caribbean.

The association is also pleased to announce that the first 2009 I.C.E. workshop has been scheduled for February 18, 2009, at Bally’s in Las Vegas, NV, and registration is now open. Click here for more information and to register.

Becoming a certified CIMS expert positions an individual to provide training or consulting services to those cleaning organizations interested in complying with the Standard and preparing to certify to CIMS — a consensus-based industry standard that sets forth the universally accepted management principles proven to be the hallmarks of well-managed and customer-centered cleaning organizations.

 All information in "ISSA Reports" is furnished by ISSA. ©2009. All rights reserved.