Press Release 

[Toronto, Ontario] – The Canadian Flooring Cleaning Restoration Association (CFCRA) and the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, have established a formal partnership to help facilities meet the highest levels of cleanliness and safety to minimize risk from coronavirus and other infectious agents.
 
As part of the agreement, CFCRA will act as a strategic partner for two GBAC programs that will help facility managers and cleaning staff in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:

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• GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation Program, which helps public and commercial facilities establish and maintain a cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention program to minimize risks associated with infectious agents and biohazards.

• GBAC Fundamentals Online Course:  Cleaning & Disinfection Principles, an e-learning course that trains cleaning professionals on infection and contamination control measures for infectious disease prevention.  

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“We are pleased to partner with ISSA and GBAC on these programs that will empower our members to incorporate best practices around cleaning and disinfection,” Lee Senter, President of the CFCRA said. “By pursuing GBAC accreditation and training, our customers will have the opportunity to establish themselves as industry leaders in ensuring clean, safe, and healthy environments that instill confidence among building visitors, staff, and other key constituents.”

GBAC Programs Overview
GBAC STAR provides third-party validation that facilities have the proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques, and work practices to meet a higher level of cleanliness and safety. Launched in early May, the performance-based accreditation program has garnered commitments from the hotel and hospitality industry, convention centers, stadiums, and venues, as well as leaders in the aviation industry.
 
To achieve GBAC STAR accreditation, facilities must demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures. Facilities apply online and provide all documentation and supporting evidence with their application.
 
The GBAC Fundamentals Online Course: Cleaning & Disinfection Principles training covers a variety of cleaning and disinfection topics with a special emphasis on SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Participants in the two- to three-hour course learn infection and contamination control measures for infectious disease outbreak situations. Those who complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion from GBAC and can use the term “GBAC-Trained Technician” to distinguish themselves.
 
“We are grateful for CFCRA’s partnership and commitment to GBAC STAR,” said GBAC Executive Director Patty Olinger. “Together, we will help facilities implement strict protocols for biorisk situations that foster clean, safe, and healthy environments now and in the future.”
 
About CFCRA
In 1993, The Ontario Professional Carpet Cleaners Association (OPCCA) joined the FIO to form the CCFCD-Certified Carpet & Fabric Care division.  FIO-CCFCD was a shareholder in IICRC certification for membership.

Proudly launched on March 31, 2015, the CFCRA’s members include custodial services companies, certified carpet, flooring & fabric cleaners, retailers, manufacturers and distributors of carpet, hardwood, resilient, and laminate flooring, and suppliers to the industry. We remain shareholders in the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification). The inclusion of hazmat/restoration members at CFCRA completes the circle of problems related to the installation of floorcoverings. The modern-day consumer’s most popular floor covering choices are products that are often non-permeable and fail due to moisture related problems. These problems are most commonly corrected with the specialized procedures of disaster restoration contractors and specialized sealers from member manufacturers who specialize in this field. 
 
About GBAC, a Division of ISSA
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response and recovery, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. The organization’s services include biorisk management program assessment and training, Forensic Restoration® response and remediation, the GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation program, training and certification of individuals and consulting for building owners and facility managers. For more information, visit www.gbac.org.