Distributor Support Green Training

Many custodial executives lean on their distributors for product information, and assistance with “green” products is no exception. Managers that have questions or problems with environmental accuracy are more likely to take the issue up with their distributors, rather than seek out product manufacturers. For that reason, distributors are actively working to become more educated about the FTC revisions.

“Like retailers, distributors are responsible for any environmental claims they make, even if they are only repeating claims made by the manufacturers of the products they carry,” says Griffiths.

Whether a salesperson is simply passing along a manufacturer’s marketing brochure or developing his own sales presentation, the information shared with customers can’t violate the Green Guides, or even be interpreted as misleading by the customer. In compliance with the new Guides, distributors are working diligently to make sure they communicate accurate information to their customers.

From an end user perspective, the Green Guides are in place specifically to clarify environmental claims. Departments are not liable for inaccurate claims, but in many facilities, product purchasing is made based on environmental attributes and deception can negatively affect the end goal.

For that reason, if distributors notice violating claims on labels, catalogs or marketing materials, they know to contact the product manufacturer for clarification on substantiated claims. The same should be done if custodial managers notice violations. Reach out to the distributor first, but if that doesn’t work, contact the product manufacturer directly.

“Simply ask them to document the claims,” says Ashkin. “As long as they can substantiate it, you’re OK.”

If managers are unable to get the needed information, it may be time to sit down with the distributor to discuss switching product offerings.

“Promoting [environmental efforts] can be good for business and backing environmental claims up with proof and added clarity is wise,” says Griffiths.   

DAN WELTIN is the editor-in-chief of Sanitary Maintenance and Contracting Profits magazines, sister publications to Housekeeping Solutions.