The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) asking it to investigate profiteering by unscrupulous groups capitalising on the high demand for cleaning and hygiene products.
The CHSA wants the investigation particularly to examine the delisting of reputable companies by online trading platforms in favour of organisations charging exceptionally high prices.
The body alerted its members to rogue operators last month.
Lorcan Mekitarian, chair of the CHSA, explained: “It seems very clear unscrupulous organisations are profiteering on the extraordinary demands for cleaning products like hard surface sanitiser, hand sanitiser, wipes, gloves, masks, aprons and sacks. With very high prices, they are ripping off buyers of these products.
“It also appears online trading platforms may be giving these organisations preferential listings. If this proves to be the case, it needs to be stopped.
“In contrast, our members are trading ethically, working hard to meet demand with reasonably priced product compliant with industry standards.”
Every member of the CHSA has signed the CHSA's rigorous Code of Practice, which requires members to be ’well established’ in the cleaning and hygiene industry and to maintain a high standard in the conduct of its business.
Where applicable, they are also members of its Accreditation Schemes for Distributors and Manufacturers of Soft Tissue, Plastic Refuse Sacks and Industrial Cotton Mops. These guarantee ‘what’s in the box is what’s on the box’.
Compliance to the CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes and Code of Practice is guaranteed by a rigorous auditing process conducted by an independent inspector.