OFT investigation a concern for the accommodation industry
It is vitally important to understand the difference between merely cleaning an object and genuinely sanitising an object.
As a result of a lengthy investigation by a Queensland government department – Office of Fair Trading into potential ‘false and misleading’ germicidal ultra violet light sanitising statements by accommodation and mattress-sanitising providers in Queensland, numerous GUVL sanitising machines were tested by Steve Jenkins & Associates from the National Association of Testing Authorities – Australia and, UVS Ultra Violet Light P/L (both government accredited testing facilities) to assess their GUVL sanitising and technology claims.
Only one of all the sanitising machines tested was accredited by NATA and UVS Ultra Violet Light P/L as a genuine sanitising product – then, substantiated as a bona fide sanitising machine by a Queensland government department – remUVe.
The term sanitisation is clearly defined as: ‘the reduction in human pathogenic micro-organisms (that are found on a mattress), to a level that is acceptable to public health organisations’. In this instance, the term reduction means a 99.9 per cent – minimum 3 log (percentage) reduction.
Human pathogens include all micro-organisms that cause illness in humans and include the terms ‘germ and bacteria’. For example, a claim that a machine can kill 99.9 per cent of all germs (and or bacteria) is a claim to sanitise.
In November 2014, the OFT distributed a warning letter to a large number of Queensland accommodation providers highlighting the investigation outcome. The warning letter stated that the industry must be vigilant and take all reasonable steps to ensure guests and consumers are not being misled.
The OFT indicated that they would conduct a compliance program in the future to ensure that ‘false and misleading representation’ breaches are not being detected.
A number of companies claim to use chemicals and liquids as part (or all) of their sanitisation process – the OFT investigation into the efficacy of chemicals was not progressed with (at this stage) but enquiries with mattress manufacturers revealed that they generally do not recommend the use of chemicals, liquids or steam to clean or sanitise mattresses – some state the use of any liquids could negate the mattress warranty.
This investigation must have been a very arduous task for the OFT and they should be commended for their testing and findings. Sanitisation with the use of GUVL is a very complex process, which has taken many years of research and testing to perfect. Whilst remUVe has been substantiated as a genuine sanitising product, others in our industry have been forced to remove their GUVL bulbs from their machines as they were potentially misleading consumers.
As the accommodation and GUVL service industry has been unjustly involved and misled by a number of unscrupulous service operators, remUVe owners CleantechUV International has heavily invested in resources, testing and comprehensive research and development to rebuild trust and confidence in the industry.
Lee Kelman – general manager, Cleantech UV International P/L has extensive national and international sanitisation and pest control experience. Comprehensively and professionally involved with GUVL mattress sanitising and bed bug infestation eradication for over nine years.
AccomNews is not affiliated with any government agency, body or political party. We are an independently owned, family-operated magazine.
