With the outbreak of COVID-19, commitment to a well-planned hygiene practice is essential for preventing people from succumbing to this communicable disease. SGS will help you to demonstrate your commitment to good hygiene practices with Hygiene Control Management Systems (HCMS) certification, the standard for hygiene control management.
An HCMS certificate from SGS shows that you have a system in place for ensuring that you meet required hygiene standards and builds confidence among your customers.
Requirements for HCMS certification include, but are not limited to:
- Maintaining a sanitization record for the facilities
- Top management commitment to the company hygiene policy
- Measures to minimize the chances of cross infection
- Resources to train staff on hygiene policy and personal hygiene
- Proper ventilation, drainage and waste treatment
- Clean water supply
- Pest control plan
- Incident handling
- Monitoring and continuous improvement
Certification is primarily based on the onsite audit and laboratory testing results. Laboratory testing includes indoor air quality tests and swab tests. SGS can also provide additional tests (e.g. COVID-19 test), training and gap analysis services to help you better prepare for certification.
Testimonial
The requirements of this world-class standard reflect the internal best practices of the group and staff, and set Madera Group as a benchmark for excellence among Hong Kong’s hospitality industry.
How Can You Become Certified?
- Confirmation of scopeYou must identify the scope for auditing and decide whether you require additional services, such as an indoor air quality test or swab test.
- Application and payment to SGSThe actual service fee will be based on the scope of your audit and any additional services required. An application fee is also required.
- Preparation
We offer pre-audit and gap analysis services to help you check if your organization is currently meeting the requirements for HCMS certification.
A one day on-site briefing with a gap assessment and a three day coaching session against HCMS are available.
- Indoor air quality measurement
Sampling time varies from five minutes to one day. The following four parameters will be measured:
- Airborne bacteria (TBC)
- Formaldehyde (HCHO)
- Respirable suspended particulates (RSP)
- Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC)
- Conduct swab test on touching surface and drinking waterThe tests are against Aerobic Bacteria Count.
- Conduct COVID-19 swab test (optional)
- Main audit
- Document review
- Record review
- On-site observation
- Staff interview
- Issuance of audit and test reports
- Issuance of certificate, which is valid for three years
Get a Free Self-assessment Checklist
SGS has designed a self-assessment checklist that is applicable to all industries. This checklist assists organizations in evaluating existing hygiene control management measures and provides some suggestions for improvement. It encourages organizations to execute and sustain good hygiene control practices.
Complete the form on this page to get a copy.
Related Training Courses
SGS Academy provides training courses related to HCMS. Click here to learn more.
Enroll online now to enjoy a 10% discount.
After Certification
Surveillance audits and tests are required in the second and third years after the latest certificate was issued. The certificate must be renewed in the fourth year.
Alternatively, you can take advantage of the following SGS services to ensure commitment to sustainable hygiene practices across your organization:
- Customized online or face-to-face training courses for frontline staff
- Mystery shopping audits against environmental services and products
- Audits, certification and training services against ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
- Audits and training services against ISO 31001 Risk Management
Next Normal Solutions
The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented in the modern era, posing unforeseen challenges to business continuity. At SGS, we are working hard to meet those challenges and support international efforts to beat COVID-19.
Our experts are responding to the challenges our clients face with innovative solutions to help operations now, to ensure business continuity for the duration of the pandemic, and to support the recovery and evolution through each phase of the ‘next normal’.
Units 303 & 305, 3/F, Building 22E,
Phase 3, Hong Kong Science Park,
Pak Shek Kok, New Territories,
Hong Kong, China