New Biocidal Products regs: last chance to influence regulatory framework!

At the Steptoe seminar on the new Biocidal Products Regulation, (EU) No 528/2012 (BPR) held two weeks ago, the European Commission confirmed its intention to seek accelerated agreement on a legislative amendment to the BPR. If prompt consensus can be reached with the Council and the European Parliament, the changes will take effect before the new regime becomes applicable on 1st September 2013. As with REACH, the new biocides regime is relevant not only to manufacturers and formulators of biocides, but downstream users as well.
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Ausclean Pulire is looking for presenters – can you fill the role?

If you are at the leading edge of cleaning and hygiene, ensure your experience is shared – submit an application to present a paper at Australia’s well-established, dedicated cleaning and hygiene show.

Sessions covering hygiene in healthcare and hospitals, green sustainability, new technology and outdoor cleaning are all welcome – as are marketing, communication and business sessions.  The call for presenters closes 1st May.
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German engineering... but British marketing

It's just over a year since Shaun Bradbury of Lancashire-based cleaning consultancy the Wrennalls Group, brokered the deal which enables him to import Columbus Cleaning Machines from Germany - and thus this is the first UK Cleaning Show at which Shaun has demonstrated the machines. They were going down a storm - but as usual, Shaun had adopted a clever strategy to attract visitors to his stand, which meant that plenty of people saw the machines.
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'Bin' making the most of the time at the show...

We didn't get to speak to the team on the Morclean stand until the final day, so busy were they every time we walked past.... So we weren't surprised when Managing Director Peter Morley (pictured) told us they'd had around seven good leads an hour, every hour.
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And it wasn't just the Brits that came...

Although many people say this is a UK show, visitors came from far and wide - and there were a number of foreign exhibitors too. Unger's Dave Rogers told us on the second day that they'd had visitors to the stand from as far afield as Sweden, Finland, Moscow and Australia - all interested in buying, rather than just window-shopping.

On the final day we bumped into our friends Daniel Knittler (left) and Reinhard Knittler, who produce German cleaning magazine ReinigungsMarkt. They told us they had enjoyed a productive three days at the show, speaking to most of the exhibitors and collecting information on new products and services to write about in forthcoming issues of their magazine.

Never pump again!

Another name we hadn't come across before was Green Gorilla Europe. There was quite a crowd watching Magnus Jonatansson, who hails from Iceland, demonstrate the Green Gorilla Advanced Spray System - and when we realised how the system worked, we could understand why.

Magnus explained that his company, Fremst ehf Iceland, has the exclusive rights to sell and distribute the product in Europe, for US manufacturer ForeFront Product Design.
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New study examines possible contamination from hand drying methods

Environmental hygiene research and testing institute Eurofins-Inlab, has published the findings of a study it undertook on behalf of the European Tissue Symposium, in which it assessed the microbiological contamination of three types of hand drying equipment in public washrooms.
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ECHA - online quiz tests your knowledge on new hazard pictograms

The European Chemical Agency has launched an interactive quiz on the new pictograms for the labelling of hazardous chemicals in the EU introduced by the (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Regulation.

A research by ECHA shows that many of these pictograms are not yet recognised or properly understood.
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Enter now for the CMS Purus Awards (and don't forget the new category!)

Messe Berlin is inviting all exhibitors at CMS 2013 to enter their products and solutions into the CMS Purus Awards.

Products competing for the good design award will be judged on styling and functionality in equal measure. The entries will compete in five categories: Machines, Equipment, Washroom Hygiene, Brand Communication and a new category - Management Systems & Software.
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New Saniflo MD predicts success

Since taking over the helm of Saniflo UK at the end of last year, managing director Tim Pestell is warmly welcoming the new financial year with an exciting plan for raising brand awareness and growing market share. Tim, who has been with Saniflo since 2007 as sales director, now executes the dual role of managing director and sales director on behalf of French parent company SFA Group following the retirement of former managing director Paul Newson in December 2012.
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Disposables UK comes to the rescue of South Yorkshire Fire Service

Disposables UK, a leading supplier of cleaning and hygiene products for the away from home market, has joined forces with South Yorkshire Fire Service to provide products for its washroom facilities in all its stations across the region.
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Clever packaging for concentrated cleaner!

Chemicals Direct's Conservatory Roof and Panel cleaner is a biodegradable, concentrated, multipurpose hard surface cleaner, suitable for use in many applications. It removes grease, grime, dirt, algae, bird droppings and leaf mould and may be diluted between 10-1 and 150-I depending upon the degree of soiling.
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Hygiene on the move

It is accepted, by most organisations, that washing hands with warm water and soap, and then drying with a single use towel, removes germs and reduces or even eliminates the potential for germs to spread. This improves the health and wellbeing of staff, increasing morale, which in turn, reduces sick leave and increases productivity.
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How to tackle Springtime pests

By Marion C. at Victor Pest, a global leader in efficient and cost-effective pest control solutions

Springtime has been a little slow this year, but the sun is finally making its way out from behind the clouds. However, the sunshine also marks the arrival of many pests and the start of a busy season for facilities management companies who need to prevent and deter these pests from busy working environments that need to uphold strict standards of hygiene and health & safety. If a building suffered from a pest complaint last Summer, putting preventative measures in place in the Spring should ensure it remains pest free during the Summer.
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IFMA announces sustainable exhibitors programme winners for 2013 Facility Fusion Conference & Expo

Following the 2013 Facility Fusion Conference and Expo in Los Angeles, California, USA, the International Facility Management Association has announced the winner of the 2013 Facility Fusion Sustainable Exhibitors Program, Facility Engineering Associates. This innovative, voluntary programe is designed to encourage and highlight environmentally conscious exhibition practices.
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Lancaster General Hospital (US) adds Xenex's germ-zapping robot to fight superbugs

Lancaster General Hospital's newest weapon against hospital-acquired infections looks a little like R2-D2 from Star Wars. The new Xenex room disinfecting system uses ultraviolet (UV-C) light that is 25,000 times more powerful than the sun to 'zap' nasty organisms that cause infections like the flu, norovirus, MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff). In minutes, the device can disinfect a patient room, patient bathroom or operating room (OR) by pulsing the light, which washes over the surfaces where germs reside.
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ISS and Coca-Cola - it's the real thing!

Coca-Cola Nordic Services has chosen ISS to provide a number of services. The two have worked together since 2007, when ISS started delivering the service Reception Excellence. Now, the cooperation has been further expanded as ISS will deliver cleaning, window cleaning, waste management, carpet cleaning, IT cleaning, washroom services, pest control, catering, security and plant services.
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Prochem expands training programme with in-depth stain removal course for 2013

With increasing choice of specialist solutions available, the effective treatment and removal of stains from carpet and upholstery is an exacting science these days.

The UK's largest commercial provider of training to cleaning professionals, Prochem Europe, has responded to growing demand for advice on the subject with the launch of a new course, starting on 13th June, 2013.
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Ryans raises the standard

Eire-based venue and event cleaning specialist Ryans Cleaning has been internationally recognised for its commitment to event sustainability by obtaining the International Standards Organisation's highly renowned ISO 20121 Certification.
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EMS raises the bar on ambulance cleanliness and infection control

Suffolk based private ambulance operator, EMS, is to work in partnership with medical deep clean and bio-hazard specialist, A+E Cleaning Solutions. All vehicles and equipment in service with EMS will be regularly and systematically deep cleaned to maintain best practice standards for clinical hygiene and infection control - with an emergency call-back procedure included to cover urgent post-incident special risks.
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Contract cleaning market switches to specialised in 2013

A new report on the UK contract cleaning market from MTW Research has found that 60% of UK contract cleaners experienced growth in the last 12 months, supporting the recent industry shift toward more specialist cleaning to boost revenue.
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Report offered to Cleanzine readers at discounted price

A new report on the UK contract cleaning market just published by MTW Research is being offered to Cleanzine readers at a discounted price of 20% off the current website prices. The offer is open until 31st May 2013.

Market size, trends & shares 2007-2017 are included for:

- Specialised Cleaning
- Standard Cleaning
- Facade/Window Cleaning
- Other cleaning services
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MITIE's cleaning & environmental business renamed Environmental +

The cleaning & environmental business of MITIE, the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company, has changed its name to Environmental +, it announced recently.
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Prochem widens specialist solutions offer

Prochem Europe's dominance in the professional carpet & upholstery cleaning technology and solutions sector is reflected in the company's latest product catalogue and price list, downloadable now.
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Cleaning Show 2013: A Great Success - it's official!

An impressive 11,341 visitors attended this year's Cleaning Show, making the three day event which closed its doors on Thursday, 21st March a great success for both visitors and exhibitors alike.
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New report shows cleanliness rated as top concern in fitness sector

A new report, which demonstrates how cleaning can contribute to a significant increase in member satisfaction in the fitness industry, has been published by support services provider Emprise.
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Contents of vacuum cleaner left to fester over weekend cause explosive reaction!

An industrial vacuum cleaner that had been used to clean up aluminium powder and was left unemptied for the weekend, provided the perfect incubation chamber... The powder reacted with water that was also inside the machine, creating a cloud of hydrogen gas that exploded and burned an unsuspecting worker who switched on the machine the following Monday. The 27 year-old employee, who suffered burns to the top of his body, was in hospital for two weeks and off work for three months.
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Deliberately disabled safety mechanisms lead to fine for recycling firm

A Durham recycling firm has been fined for putting workers' lives at risk after two machines were found to have vital safety mechanisms deliberately disabled.
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Initial Facilities plans scheme to create 80 apprenticeships

Initial Facilities has announced plans to expand the apprentice programme within its transport division. The company has committed to recruiting 80 new apprentices following the success of pilot schemes during the past two years.
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Cleaning supplies director scoops Surrey award

A director of a commercial cleaning and janitorial supplies business has been chosen as Director of the Year in the Toast of Surrey Business Awards. Ollie Rastall, who co-owns Source Supplies with his business partner Dave Piper (left of photo), was selected as a worthy winner by a panel of judges from the Surrey branch of the Institute of Directors who sponsored the category.
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Easy Clean Commode wins Good Design award

Clinell, one of the UK's leading infection control brands, has announced that its best selling Easy Clean Commode has won the Good Design award.
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Avica further improves customer service levels

Avica, the independent southern janitorial and catering supplies company, is increasing its customer service offer at all three centres by increasing stock levels and extending order cut-off time.
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Truvox Multiwash provides safety first at Horsham Hospital

A healthy, hygienic environment is essential for any location, but in hospitals and healthcare settings it is particularly important. People attending outpatients' clinics or visiting loved ones rightly expect to see scrupulously clean floors, so facilities managers need to ensure that their floor cleaning regimes, and machines, are delivering the highest possible standards.
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Innovation Awards winners: truly in a position to celebrate!

Chosen by a completely independent group of judges with no affiliation or bias towards any of the entrants, the Cleaning Show Innovation Awards are really something to be proud of, so congratulations go to all the finalists!
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the fastest female window cleaner in the world

Deborah Morris, of David Morris Window Cleaning, is now the fastest female window cleaner in the world, having cleaned the requisite number and sizes of windows in just 15.32 seconds.

John tells me women can't park cars as well as men can, because they don't have the same spacial awareness. Well I think Deborah's just proved him wrong! 

No surprise that this family business is still going strong!

Brian Philbin launched his Nu-Life carpet cleaning business in 1981, but these days we generally see son Mike manning the stand at these shows and stone care products are now taking centre stage.
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A rare work ethic!

John Newins of OCS accepts his award for Window Cleaner of the year 2013. The certificate says: 'for Industry achievements and time served'. In the UK and no doubt other parts of the world, 'time served' generally refers to the number of years and weeks an offender has spent in prison!

Work has clearly not been like a prison sentence for John though, who in 44 years of service, has, incredibly, never taken a day off sick! He is shown here (left) with Scott Smith of the Federation of Window Cleaners.
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Training: delivered by an expert

As an operative, cleaning training is one thing but an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Facilities Services will (or should) open more doors. As a contractor, having trained facilities people on board will give you more clout. People with skills in facilities services can make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive - and the workplace safer - by addressing your skills gaps directly, even in uncertain economic times.
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Care Show London
24-25th April 2024
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Interclean Amsterdam
14-17th May 2024
Amsterdam
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Cleantex Africa
16-18th October 2024
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ISSA Pulire 2025
27-29th May 2025
Rho Fiera Milano
Italy
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