Trade Associations

Trade associations provide a vehicle for best practice, The Industry's latest news and an opportunity to collaborate. The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) whose headquarters are in Northampton, is the largest independent, professional and educational body within the cleaning industry. Founded in 1961, its mission is 'the raising of status and standards of the cleaning industry, through education'.

BICSc, as it is known, is an independent body with members in all areas of the cleaning industry, including Local Authorities, Contract Cleaners, Manufacturers, Suppliers, Trainers and by no means least, cleaning operatives themselves. Its membership currently stands at almost 5,000 Individual and Corporate Members and its reach is global.

There is a nationwide branch and regional structure, through which members, working through their own committees hold regular meetings on topics of mutual interest. Branch and Regional Officers come together annually to debate branch and membership issues.

The Institute's Awarding Body, Education, Strategy and Finance Committee sets the standards and develops the skills programmes necessary for the Institute's range of cleaning qualifications.

BICSc Code Of Practice

Members and Corporate Members of the Institute undertake to abide by the Articles and Memorandum and the rules and bye-laws of the Institute as they may from time to time be in force.

The principles of the Code of Practice are as follows:

A Member shall not use the status invested in him/her as a member of the Institute for direct personal gain and shall seek always to enhance the professional image of the Institute by:

1. Maintaining a high standard of integrity in all his/her working relationships whether inside or outside the organisation in which he or she is employed.
2. Fostering the highest possible competence and expertise among those for whom he or she may be responsible.
3. Seeking to take a positive role in Institute National and Branch affairs, by attending meetings and assisting in appropriate ways at Branch and National events.
4. As a Corporate member, by supporting such events and encouraging staff to participate in them.
5. Complying with both the letter and spirit of the appropriate legislation of the country in which he or she works.
6. Discharging any obligations into which he or she may have entered in the course of their employment or matters of business.
7. Rejecting working practices which might reasonably be deemed improper.
8. Ensuring the availability of appropriate training for any staff under his or her control and encouraging staff to take part in such training.
9. Raising his or her own standards of professional competence by taking advantage of any training that may be made available.
10. Declaring any personal interest that may conflict or might be deemed by others to conflict with his or her impartiality in commercial employment or contractual matters or in Institute affairs.
11. Not divulging any confidential information which may be received in the course of employment or Institute affairs and not seeking to use such information to his or her personal advantage.

For more information on BICSc e-mail us at info@futures-supplies.co.uk or visit the BICSc website at www.bics.org.uk

1. To co-ordinate the common activities of interests within the British cleaning industry.
2. To promote the general interests of UK based institutions, associations, individuals and others representing those involved in the British cleaning industry.
3. To develop and promote the interests of the British cleaning industry whenever and wherever appropriate.
4. To provide a forum for all constituent bodies within the British cleaning industry to meet and work together to further the aims of the industry as a whole.
5. To support research, education and training or other programmes within the British cleaning industry.
6. To undertake, liaise and co-operate with the sponsorship of exhibitions and seminars connected with all aspects of cleaning, in particular through BCC (Exhibitions) Limited.
7. To increase public awareness of the industry's contribution both to the environment and the economy (and to encourage and promote the improvement of health and hygiene and general standards of cleanliness in both public and private sectors)
8. To facilitate the provision of information to government and public bodies regarding the British cleaning industry.
9. To provide overall support and liaise as necessary with UK and international bodies involved in the production of technical and/or other standards.
10. To take any necessary initiative to further the above objectives and aims considered by the Council to be in the interests of the cleaning industry as a whole.