The UK Cleaning ProductsIndustry Association is the leading trade association for companies representing UK producers of cleaning and hygiene products. This includes soaps, washing powders and liquids, household disinfectants, air care and polishes, as well as professional cleaning and hygiene products used in industrial and institutional applications. UKCPI runs awareness campaigns relating to product safety and energy efficiency, and provides materials for schools to teach about effective hand washing.
History
The inaugural meeting of the Society of British Soap Makers was held at 2.30pm on 7 July 1954, at the Queens Hotel in Leeds, and was chaired by Mr RE Huffam of Unilever Limited. Its first AGM was held at the same location, on 19 October 1955. In 1963, the organisation became a member of European body AIS, which later merged with FIFE to become what is now AISE. In 1967 its name was changed to the Soap and Detergent Industry Association. In 1970 the SDIA merged with the Soap Makers Association and, that same year, appointed its first Director General, Mr GV Richardson. In 2001, the merged organisation, which was still known as SDIA, changed its name to UK Cleaning Products Industry Association.
The UKcleaning products industry is now worth an estimated £4.5 billion. £800 million of that is taken up by companies serving the industrial and institutional sector. The remainder of the total amount is taken up by household or homecare cleaning products such as laundry, bathroom and kitchen cleaning and disinfection, surface and air care products. In September 2009, Philip Malpass replaced Dr Andy Williams as Director General.
Function
UKCPI represents the UK-wide cleaning products industry, including companies which make and use products for hygiene, soap, cleaning surfaces, and air fresheners. It is involved with marketing the industry as a whole and regulation. UKCPI represents its members’ interests directly with UK government departments and bodies on the formulation and application of government policy and regulation. As part of this remit, it is a member of the . It also works closely with the Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products, to represent its members' interests with the European Commission and European Parliament. UKCPI is also a member of the government's Chemicals Stakeholders Forum, the Alliance of Chemical Associations and the Confederation of British Industry. In terms of its members, UKCPI provides advice and guidance notes to members regarding forthcoming legislation and regulation, organises regional meetings to keep members up-to-date on technical and regulatory developments and issues. It also identifies non-competitive issues of common interest to its members and seeks their resolution through industry-wide consensus. UKCPI maintains its own website and a members-only extranet.
