COSHH register for cleaning companies ,If you operate a cleaning business in the UK, you are legally required to manage hazardous substances under COSHH regulations.
For cleaning contractors bidding on public sector and framework contracts, a structured COSHH register for a cleaning company is not optional. It is a core compliance requirement.
This guide explains what a COSHH register should include and how to structure it properly for tenders and live contracts.
What Is a COSHH Register?
COSHH stands for:
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
A COSHH register is a documented list of all hazardous substances used within your cleaning operations, including:
- Cleaning chemicals
- Disinfectants
- Floor treatment products
- Degreasers
- Specialist solutions
It records how risks are assessed and controlled.
Why Buyers Check Your COSHH Register
When submitting a cleaning framework tender or school cleaning bid, evaluators want to confirm that:
- Chemicals are risk assessed
- SDS sheets are maintained
- Storage is controlled
- Staff are trained
- Exposure risks are minimised
An incomplete or poorly structured COSHH register raises compliance concerns.
What Should a Cleaning Company COSHH Register Include?
A professional COSHH register for cleaning contractors should include:
1. Product Name
Clear identification of the substance.
2. Supplier Details
Name of manufacturer or distributor.
3. Hazard Classification
Based on SDS hazard information.
4. Intended Use
Where and how the chemical is used.
5. Control Measures
Including:
- PPE requirements
- Dilution controls
- Storage method
- Spill response procedure
6. Review Date
Registers must be reviewed periodically.
COSHH Assessments vs COSHH Register
Many contractors confuse the two.
A COSHH register is a master list of substances.
A COSHH assessment is the detailed risk assessment for each chemical.
For framework tenders, you should provide:
- COSHH register
- Sample COSHH assessment
- Reference to SDS management process
Common COSHH Mistakes in Cleaning Tenders
Cleaning companies often:
- Submit a generic spreadsheet with no hazard detail
- Forget review dates
- Fail to show PPE requirements
- Do not reference staff training
- Provide no link between RAMS and COSHH
This weakens your facilities management compliance score.
How to Structure a COSHH Register for Framework Contracts
A strong COSHH register should:
- Be in Excel for easy updating
- Include columns for hazard category
- Include PPE reference
- Include storage location
- Include training confirmation
- Link to your RAMS documentation
If your COSHH system is aligned with your QA and RAMS system, your documentation appears structured and professional.
Need a Ready-Made COSHH Register?
If you are building your documentation for public sector cleaning contracts, the Cleaning & Facilities Framework Toolkit PRO includes:
- Structured COSHH register (Excel)
- COSHH assessment templates
- RAMS library
- QA and KPI system
View the full toolkit here:
If you are starting smaller, see the Cleaning Framework Toolkit LITE:
Both include editable Word, Excel and PDF documentation.
Final Thoughts
A properly structured COSHH register for a cleaning company demonstrates professionalism, compliance and risk awareness.
For framework tenders and school contracts, it can make the difference between passing compliance scoring and losing marks early in the evaluation process.
Clear structure, accurate hazard detail and alignment with your RAMS system are essential.