Clean approach

There has never been an urgent need for FM firms to invest in certifications in cleaning than now, says ISSA international education and certification director Manuela D’Agata

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The pandemic outbreak has created a structural shift in cleaning just from a superficial perspective to cleaning for health reasons in the Middle East region, says International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) international education and certification director Manuela D’Agata. She says: “Traditionally in the Middle East, end users have been focusing on ensuring environments and surfaces were clean just in appearance. However, due to the spread of Covid-19, clients now require different solutions from their providers. End users are now paying more attention to recruiting and selecting professional contractors who are going to protect the health of building occupants.”

Cleaning for health and the implications it brings is becoming a more universal value in the Middle East, reiterates D’Agata.

She added that the crisis has also created an opportunity for the cleaning industry to optimise resources. For example, it has driven the need for more transparency when it comes to workloading and estimation of cleaning services.

ISSA, which claims to be the world’s leading association for the cleaning industry, is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members, manufacturers, distributors, the greater facility management and services providers (cleaning contractors and inhouse services) with the skills, certification, market knowledge and networking opportunities they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment and improving the bottom line.