In today’s business world, ethics and transparency are more important than ever. Whether it’s ensuring fair treatment of employees, managing supply chains responsibly, or adhering to high environmental standards, companies are under increasing pressure to operate ethically.
This is where Sedex membership comes in. For industries like commercial cleaning, where trust, safety, and ethical practices are paramount, being a Sedex member is a badge of honour that reflects a company’s commitment to doing the right thing.
In this guide, we’ll explore what Sedex membership is, what it means for cleaning companies, and why it should matter to you as a client.
What is SEDEX?
SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) is a global, not-for-profit membership organisation designed to improve ethical and responsible business practices within supply chains. It provides a platform that allows companies to assess, manage, and share information about labour standards, health and safety, environmental practices, and business ethics.
Importantly, SEDEX does not “rubber stamp” companies. Instead, it provides the tools, audit frameworks, and transparency mechanisms that allow organisations to demonstrate how they operate — and where they are improving.
SEDEX is widely used by large corporates, government bodies, and global organisations as part of their supplier risk management and ESG frameworks.
What SEDEX Membership Actually Represents
Becoming a SEDEX member means committing to visibility and accountability. It requires organisations to actively assess their operations and supply chains against recognised ethical standards and to address gaps where risks are identified.
For cleaning companies, SEDEX membership signals a commitment to:
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Fair and lawful treatment of workers
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Safe and compliant working environments
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Responsible environmental practices
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Ethical business conduct and transparency
In an industry where labour practices can sometimes be under-examined, this level of oversight matters.
How SEDEX Evaluates Ethical Practices
SEDEX uses the SMETA audit framework (SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit), which assesses organisations across four core pillars.
Labour Standards
This pillar focuses on fair pay, lawful working hours, freedom of employment, and the prevention of forced or child labour. For cleaning companies, this is particularly important given the physical nature of the work and the prevalence of subcontracting in the industry.
Health and Safety
Health and safety standards assess how companies protect workers through training, equipment, safe systems of work, and risk management. In commercial cleaning, this includes chemical handling, manual tasks, and working in diverse environments.
Environment
This pillar evaluates how organisations manage their environmental impact, including waste, resource use, and sustainability practices. It aligns closely with growing client expectations around ESG performance.
Business Ethics
Business ethics covers integrity, transparency, and responsible conduct across operations and supply chains, helping prevent corruption, exploitation, or unethical behaviour.
Why SEDEX Membership Is Especially Important in Commercial Cleaning
Commercial cleaning is a people-driven industry. It relies on frontline workers who often operate outside standard office hours, across multiple sites, and in physically demanding conditions.
Without strong governance, this can create risks, not just for workers, but for clients as well.
SEDEX membership provides assurance that a cleaning company takes these responsibilities seriously and is willing to be held accountable for how it operates.
What SEDEX Membership Means for Clients
For clients, SEDEX membership isn’t just a credential - it’s a risk management tool.
Confidence in Ethical Labour Practics
Clients can be confident that cleaners are employed under fair conditions, paid correctly, and provided with appropriate training and support. This reduces the risk of reputational damage linked to labour non-compliance.
Greater Transparency
SEDEX requires structured reporting and ongoing assessment. This transparency helps clients meet their own governance, procurement, and ESG obligations.
Alignment with Sustainability and ESG Goals
Many organisations now require suppliers to demonstrate responsible environmental and social practices. Choosing a SEDEX member helps align cleaning services with broader corporate values.
Reduced Supply Chain Risk
SEDEX membership supports due diligence, particularly for organisations audited on supplier ethics, modern slavery risks, or workplace compliance.
The Benefits of Choosing a SEDEX Member Cleaning Company
Partnering with a SEDEX member cleaning company offers practical advantages beyond peace of mind.
Clients benefit from:
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A workforce that is properly trained, supported, and retained
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Safer workplaces and reduced compliance risk
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Environmentally responsible cleaning practices
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Ongoing accountability through audit and review processes
These benefits contribute to more stable service delivery and stronger long-term partnerships.
Cleancorp: A Proud SEDEX Member
At Cleancorp, SEDEX membership reflects how we already operate — with integrity, transparency, and a people-first approach.
Our SEDEX commitment supports our clients by ensuring:
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Ethical labour practices, including fair pay and safe working conditions
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Ongoing training and support for our cleaning teams
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Responsible environmental practices aligned with sustainability goals
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Transparent systems that stand up to audit and scrutiny
We believe commercial cleaning should deliver more than clean spaces. It should contribute positively to people, communities, and the organisations we serve.
How Clients Can Verify SEDEX Membership
How to Verify Sedex Membership
If ethical sourcing and compliance matter to your organisation, it’s reasonable to ask questions.
To verify a supplier’s SEDEX membership, you can:
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Request confirmation of SEDEX membership or SMETA audit participation
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Ask how ethical risks are assessed and managed
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Review how labour, safety, and environmental practices are monitored
A genuine SEDEX member should be open and transparent about these processes.
Why SEDEX Membership Matters Now More Than Ever
Expectations around supplier responsibility continue to rise. Clients are increasingly accountable for the practices of the companies they engage, not just their own internal operations.
Choosing SEDEX member suppliers helps organisations:
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Strengthen ESG and sustainability reporting
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Reduce reputational and compliance risk
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Demonstrate ethical leadership
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Build trust with stakeholders
In this context, SEDEX membership is not just relevant, it’s increasingly essential.
Final Thoughts: Ethics Are Part of Service Quality
Choosing a commercial cleaning provider isn’t only about results you can see. It’s about how those results are achieved.
SEDEX membership demonstrates that a cleaning company operates responsibly behind the scenes - treating people fairly, managing risks properly, and committing to continuous improvement.
At Cleancorp, our SEDEX membership is part of a broader commitment to ethical, sustainable, and transparent service delivery. It’s one of the ways we ensure our clients can trust not just what we do, but how we do it.
📞 Ready to work with a SEDEX member cleaning company?
Call 1300 211 944 or visit our website to learn more about how Cleancorp supports clean, ethical, and sustainable workplaces.