I often get asked how to make sure the cleaning products we buy actually meet the green procurement standards we promise clients. Over the years at Bluebaycleaning Co I’ve audited hundreds of suppliers and product ranges. Here I’ll walk you through a practical, step-by-step approach I use to audit supply chains so your cleaning products are genuinely sustainable, compliant, and suitable for the job.
Why audit your cleaning supply chain?
Auditing your supply chain isn’t just about ticking a sustainability box. It helps you:
- Reduce hidden environmental impacts (e.g., packaging, transport, ingredients);
- Protect your brand and clients from greenwashing allegations;
- Ensure regulatory compliance (REACH, COSHH, waste regulations);
- Identify cost-saving opportunities via concentrated products, refill systems or local suppliers;
- Improve health & safety outcomes for staff and building occupants.
Start with a clear scope and policy
Before any audit, I define what “green” means for the business. Is it reduced VOCs? Biodegradability? FSC certified paper? Lower carbon footprint? I recommend creating a short procurement policy that lists measurable criteria. For example:
- No intentionally added microplastics;
- All products must have publicly available safety data sheets (SDS) and ingredient lists;
- Preference for concentrates and refill systems to reduce packaging waste;
- Regular preference for Ecolabel, EU Ecolabel, or equivalent third-party certifications.
Having this policy makes your audit objective and repeatable — and it gives suppliers a clear picture of what you expect.
Collect the right documents
An effective audit starts on paper. I ask suppliers for a standard set of documents up front:
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each product;
- Full ingredient disclosure (not just trade secrets) where possible;
- Certifications (EU Ecolabel, EcoLogo, Cradle to Cradle, B-Corp, etc.);
- Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) or carbon footprint data if available;
- Packaging specifications (materials, recyclability, recycled content percentages);
- Supply chain origin (manufacturing location, transport modes).
Many suppliers will only provide some of this. Document what’s missing and make it part of the supplier improvement plan.
Assess product health and environmental impacts
I use a simple scoring approach to evaluate each product across four dimensions:
- Human health (toxicity, allergens, VOCs);
- Environmental fate (biodegradability, aquatic toxicity);
- Packaging and waste (recyclability, refill options);
- Climate footprint (manufacturing and transport emissions).
Here’s a template table I use during audits. You can adapt the scoring to your policy.
| Product | Health Score (1-5) | Environmental Score (1-5) | Packaging Score (1-5) | Carbon/Transport Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral Cleaner A | 4 (low VOCs, non-irritant) | 3 (partially biodegradable) | 5 (concentrate, refill) | Made locally — low transport emissions |
| Disinfectant B | 2 (contains respiratory irritant) | 2 (aquatic toxicity concerns) | 2 (single-use plastic bottle) | Imported by airfreight — high footprint |
Verify claims and watch for greenwashing
Some suppliers use pretty labels but can’t substantiate claims. I check the following:
- Is the certification valid and current? (Look up certification numbers on certifier websites.)
- Does the SDS match the public product description?
- Are “natural” or “plant-based” claims backed by percentages or independent tests?
- Are fragrance components disclosed? Fragrances can hide hazardous chemicals and allergens.
Tools and resources I use: the EU Ecolabel database, ECHA’s database for hazardous substances, and manufacturers’ patent or ingredient registries. For example, if a supplier claims “no VOCs” but lists ethanolamines or benzyl alcohol on the SDS, that’s a red flag.
Site visits and manufacturing checks
When possible, I visit manufacturing or distribution sites. During visits I focus on:
- Storage and bunding for chemicals (environmental risk management);
- Waste management practices and recycling streams;
- Batch traceability — can the supplier trace ingredients back to source?;
- Quality control and testing labs (are products tested for biodegradability or efficacy?).
If a physical visit isn’t possible, ask for video walkthroughs and third-party audit reports.
Evaluate packaging and logistics
Packaging often has the biggest immediate wins. I prioritise:
- Packaging with high recycled content (at least 30% post-consumer preferred);
- Refill systems, cartridges or concentrates that reduce plastic and transport weight;
- Supplier take-back schemes for containers;
- Local warehousing that cuts transport miles.
Switching to a refillable dosing system or concentrated formulations can cut packaging waste and cost — I’ve seen clients reduce their plastic use by 70% within a year by switching suppliers and equipment.
Assess operational fit and efficacy
Sustainability is only viable if the product works. I always run a small-scale trial on site, looking at:
- Cleaning efficacy on target soils and surfaces;
- Compatibility with dispensing equipment (dosing accuracy);
- Time to clean and total labour implications;
- Staff feedback on smell, skin sensitivity and ease of use.
A “green” product that requires double the labour or leaves residues won’t be sustainable in practice.
Create an improvement plan and KPIs
After the audit I produce a clear action plan with timelines and KPIs. Typical goals include:
- Switch 50% of core cleaning products to certified alternatives within 12 months;
- Reduce single-use plastic packaging by 60% through refill systems;
- Achieve full ingredient disclosure from top 5 suppliers within 6 months;
- Cut transport emissions by using regional distribution hubs.
I share these targets with suppliers and make them part of procurement contracts where possible.
Maintain ongoing monitoring
Supply chain auditing isn’t a one-off. I schedule annual re-audits, but I also monitor for:
- Regulatory changes (REACH updates, chemical bans);
- New certifications or product reformulations;
- Customer or staff reports of adverse reactions;
- Market developments like new refill technologies or more sustainable packaging materials.
Where I’ve worked closely with suppliers, they often proactively bring innovations to the table — like switching from PET to mono-material recyclable packaging or offering carbon-neutral deliveries.
If you’d like, I can share a downloadable checklist and a basic scoring spreadsheet I use for audits — they make the process much faster and ensure consistency across sites.
