As a business owner, you may have noticed your neighbouring unit putting up the SG clean mark with the ‘SG’ in red and ‘clean’ word in green. What is SG Clean?
SG Clean certification is the national mark of excellence for environmental public hygiene and was created to rally businesses and the public to uphold good sanitisation standards and hygiene practices. The voluntary scheme was launched in February 2020 and establishments including hotels, attractions, F&B and retail outlets that have been certified SG Clean will feature the SG Clean mark.
The certification is managed by National Environment Agency (NEA). The first certification to obtain the SG Clean Quality Mark is free-of-charge.
We look at 4 reasons why it may be worthwhile for Singapore businesses to be SG Clean-certified sooner rather than later.
#1 To Qualify For Certain Government Grants Or Initiatives
For some businesses, in order to tap on government grants and initiatives, you may find yourself having to be SG Clean-certified. The pandemic has caused borders to close to overseas tourists, as a result, accommodations and tourist attractions in Singapore have seen their business revenue plunged. Furthermore, due to the tightened safe management measures, selected businesses such as fitness studios and gymnasiums are asked to close. These businesses will need to lean on government support to tide them over this difficult period.
If you are an owner of a fitness studio or gymnasium, in order to qualify for a one-time operating grant under the Sports and Resilience Package, you will have to adopt the SG Clean mark.
Similarly, if you are operating a hostel, hotel or tourist attraction, and would like to be eligible for the SingapoRediscovers Vouchers, it is mandatory to be SG Clean-certified.
Likewise, if you want to hold an event, the venue that you select has to be in compliance with safe management measures of Singapore government agencies as well as SG Clean sanitation and hygiene measures.
#2 Provide Your Employees And Customers With A Peace of Mind
With the virus still very much alive, no one can say for sure when and where the next active COVID-19 cluster with sprout. Though most people are working from home after the announcement of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) measures from 16 May to 13 June 2021, there should be a plan to keep the workplace clean as some employees may need to work from the workplace, and eventually, your employees will all return.
When the time comes, you want to be able to assure employees and partners that you are doing what is in your control to provide a safe workplace – and one way is to attain the national certification of cleanliness and public hygiene standard, which is SG Clean.
The SG Clean mark is a public display of your commitment to maintain high standards of hygiene to ensure the safety and good health of your employees and customers.
During Singapore’s Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), a COVID-19 cluster emerged at a tuition centre. If you are running a tuition or enrichment centre, or a business where people may interact with one another, you may want to look into getting your place SG Clean-certified to give customers a peace of mind when normal business resumes. With majority of schools under Ministry of Education being SG Clean-certified, if your business is also in the education sector, you may like to achieve the same level of cleanliness standard.
Different businesses will have to commit and adhere to sector-specific sanitation and hygiene checklists and advisories, covering areas such as management oversight, cleaning methodology, toilet cleanliness, and general public hygiene. These checklists and advisories are tailored to the requirements and operations of the various businesses.
There are 18 listed sectors in the SG Clean website for instance retail & shops, F&B establishments, sports and fitness facilities, attractions and commercial premises. For workplaces like offices or enrichment centres, they are classified under commercial premises, so they have to fulfil the SG Clean checklist found here.
#3 SG Clean Quality Mark Serves As A Constant Reminder To Stay Clean
Beyond COVID-19, it is essential for businesses to make cleanliness a way of life to minimise the spread of any other disease in future. Good public hygiene includes pest management to ensure waste is always handled properly and regular checks on containers with water to prevent mosquito breeding.
Upon being SG Clean-certified, the mark should be displayed at prominent locations within your premises. There are currently over 30,000 SG Clean-certified premises and they are listed on the SG Clean website.
Anyone can contact NEA at their 24-hour hotline at 1800-2255 632 to provide feedback on premises that do not adhere to the stipulated hygiene conditions. The quality mark may be removed for premises that failed to rectify shortcomings expeditiously.
In this way, businesses are be kept on their toes in maintaining cleanliness at their premises or workplaces.
#4 The New Corporate Social Responsibility
Many companies have dedicated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. Some focus on selected charities while others target a particular cause. Just as companies who are going green as part of their CSR and are big on sustainability would apply for the Green Mark certification, businesses who are committed in employee and customer health can consider applying for the SG Clean certification even if you don’t require it.
Over time, just like any other CSR programme, businesses who are SG Clean-certified will build public goodwill and gain trust from potential employees and customers, which will in turn position them as employers of choice and responsible companies who care.
How to get SG Clean certification?
More than 30,000 places have achieved the SG Clean Quality Mark since February last year.
Businesses will have their premises audited by agencies or appointed third-party assessors to ensure that they maintain a high level of cleanliness and public hygiene.
Interested businesses can contact the respective industry sector leads or appointed assessor to arrange for an audit through the SG Clean website.
To prepare for the assessment, businesses can refer to the sector-specific checklist and advisories and ensure procedures are in place to meet the requirements stated. You should also ensure that the cleaning crew have the right competencies and equipment.
Subscribe To The DollarsAndSense Business Pass
Enjoy what you are reading and want more? Join The DollarsAndSense Business Pass and unlock access to valuable tools, exclusive networking opportunities, and tap into the wisdom of industry experts to fuel your business expansion!
