GBAC STAR™ Service Accreditation
The GBAC STAR™ Service Accreditation program provides third-party validation of a building service contractor's cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention protocols and procedures.
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GBAC STAR Service Accreditation gives service providers a competitive advantage in two ways:
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Frequently asked questions about the GBAC STAR Service Accreditation Program.
Who qualifies for the program?
The GBAC STAR Service Accreditation Program is for building service contractors and other outsourced cleaning service providers that want to demonstrate their commitment to building occupant health and safety through a respected, third-party accreditation.
GBAC STAR Service Accreditation validates a cleaning company's cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention program to help its facility customers prepare, respond and recover from biohazards and infectious agents, such as SAR-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
NOTE: Facilities and in-house cleaning service providers are not eligible for GBAC STAR Service Accreditation, but rather qualify for the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation Program.
What is the program like?
The GBAC STAR Service Accreditation program is designed to complement the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation program for buildings and is based on the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation's 20 program elements. The program's focus is to validate cleaning service providers' protocols, procedures, and work practices to prepare for, respond to, and recover from infectious disease outbreaks.
GBAC STAR Service is a performance-based program that is based on quality management system principles and is similar in approach to other relevant industry programs like ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 35001. It is designed to complement other cleaning-industry programs like the ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS), which outlines the primary characteristics of a well-run, quality cleaning organization.
What is the application process?
To apply for GBAC STAR Service Accreditation, a cleaning service company must verify it (1) Has been in business for a minimum of three years; or (2) At least one of its principals has owned/operated a cleaning service company for at least three years.
The timing varies and depends on how prepared a firm is with its documented work practices and in relation to the 20 program elements. Additionally, the accreditation review time depends on the completeness of your documents. GBAC expects that the program will take weeks, not months, to complete for a committed service provider.
How long does accreditation last?
The Accreditation Council is the accrediting body of the GBAC STAR Service Accreditation Program, and the council determines the status of all GBAC STAR service providers. Volunteers are appointed to serve in roles related to the accreditation process.
Does the program include a worker training requirement?
Yes, the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course: Cleaning & Disinfection Principles is the baseline requirement for all GBAC STAR Service accredited firms. At a minimum, firms must have five per cent of their frontline cleaning staff – including all subcontracted cleaning staff – complete the course and provide proof of their completion during the GBAC STAR Service Accreditation process. Additionally, one (1) frontline supervisor per every 10 frontline cleaning workers must complete the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course to achieve accreditation. As part of the accreditation fee, applicants will receive an allotment of courses to meet the baseline requirements based on their number of frontline cleaning workers and supervisors as express in the application. For example, in a firm with 1000 frontline cleaning staff and 100 frontline supervisors, the firm would receive 50 courses allotted to frontline cleaning workers and 100 to frontline supervisors for a total of 150 courses included in the accreditation fee. Additional courses will cost $75 per person for members and $300 per person for non-members.
Additionally, as part of the GBAC STAR Service element on Continuous Improvement, firms must demonstrate how they will manage this baseline training component throughout the year.
Does the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course count toward the minimum training requirement?
Yes. Current GBAC-Trained Technicians – the designation for those individuals who successfully complete the GBAC Fundaments Online Course – may be applied to the minimum training requirement by providing proof of their course completion during the accreditation process. Note that the training requirement applies only to frontline supervisors and frontline cleaning workers; training completed by management and those not directly involved in the supervision or provision of cleaning services does not apply to the minimum training requirement for GBAC STAR Service Accreditation.
