How is CIMS different from ISO?

CIMS and ISO are similar in many respects, but CIMS has the advantage of having been developed specifically “by the cleaning industry and for the cleaning industry” (with a large dose of assistance from the facility management and purchasing communities). The fact that the program was developed specifically for the cleaning industry offers tangible benefits. First of all, CIMS deals with the unique issues faced by cleaning organizations on a daily basis (ISO was originally developed for manufacturing and was drafted to speak to that industry).

Second, compliance with the Standard is determined by an individual who is an expert in the cleaning industry. One of the primary concerns with ISO, as it applies to the cleaning industry, centers on the fact that the auditors generally do not know anything about the particulars of our industry. The CIMS assessors, on the other hand, are required to have practical industry experience and therefore, truly understand its unique nature.