FAQ Page

You can download your copy of the CIMS Standard by filling out the form on this page.

The Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) was created for facility service provider (FSP) organizations and applies to an organization’s management structure and performance systems and processes. It should be thought of as a framework to help facility service providers develop customer-centered organizations. Compliance with the Standard demonstrates that the organization is structured to deliver consistent,

Existing programs apply to: People (managers and technicians) Products Cleaning procedures. CIMS applies to an entire cleaning organization. It focuses on the organization’s management systems and processes used to deliver service.

The Cleaning Industry Management Standard recognizes and complements existing industry programs. Since CIMS is a framework for assessing an entire organization, existing certification programs should play an important role in helping an organization demonstrate compliance with the Standard. For example, certifications from CMI or IEHA may be used to satisfy the management training element. Similarly,

No. ISSA cherishes the diversity that is woven into the fabric of our industry. The Standard, therefore, is “non-prescriptive” and its goal is to act simply as a quality framework. As such, product, equipment, procedure, and system recommendations are explicitly not part of CIMS and each organization retains the flexibility to choose how it can

The Standard is administered by ISSA. ISSA, a not-for-profit association founded in 1923, prides itself on being the leading association for the cleaning industry worldwide. ISSA administration ensures that there is no commercial bias to any group.

The Standard was developed through a true consensus-based process. Experts, representing all sectors of the industry, including the facility management and purchasing communities, were selected by the ISSA Board, staff, and alliance partners to participate on standard-development Technical Committees. The committees worked directly with ISSA and its partner, the American Institute for Cleaning Sciences (AICS)

ISSA provided organizational oversight by leveraging its unique role in the industry. ISSA’s diverse membership is comprised of: Manufacturers Distributors Manufacturer representatives Facility service providers Industry consultants. The shared interests of its membership base enabled ISSA to provide the necessary oversight. In addition, the many alliances that ISSA has developed with leading organizations in the

The Standard is based on universally accepted management principles and consists of five sections of management best practices: Quality Systems Service Delivery Human Resources Health, Safety, and Environmental Stewardship Management Commitment

Certification indicates that an organization conforms to the requirements set forth in the Standard and has successfully demonstrated compliance to an independent, accredited assessor.