Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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SOAPBOX: The rising cost of raw materials and energy
The rising cost of raw materials and energy is creating a perfect opportunity for unscrupulous providers of cleaning & hygiene products, writes Lorcan Mekitarian, chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association
"Buyers of cleaning and hygiene products need to beware of providers offering low-cost solutions. Against the backdrop of the escalating cost of raw materials and energy, those reducing prices are likely to be cutting corners. The only way buyers can guarantee that they get what they pay for is to look for the CHSA Accreditation Scheme mark.
The British Chambers of Commerce's latest quarterly survey, published on 1st April 2022, found that almost two-thirds of businesses expect to increase prices during the next three months and more than three quarters cite inflation as a growing concern.
The dramatic escalation in the global cost of energy is having a big impact on the price to the end user. As well as affecting manufacturers' own operations, it is driving up the cost of raw materials. The resulting upward pressure on the price of end products is unstoppable. In this context, companies offering reduced prices are likely to be compromising on product quality and quantity.
The CHSA established its first Accreditation Scheme in 1997. For manufacturers of soft tissue, the Scheme tackled the problem of the unscrupulous, selling low-cost soft tissue products that were shorter or narrower than stated on the packaging. The CHSA's auditing process, conducted by the Independent Inspector, guarantees 'what's on the box is what's in the box' for all soft tissue products sold by Scheme members.
The CHSA now has six Accreditation Schemes: for manufacturers of paper-based products, of plastic-based products, of cotton-based products and of cleaning chemicals, for general manufacturers and for distributors. These, combined with the Association's rigorous Code of Practice signed by every member, guarantee CHSA members:
- Trade ethically and sustainably;
- Provide quality, fit for purpose products; and
- Make sure 'what's on the box is what's in the box'.
5th May 2022