Bunzl Canada Sets Global Standard with In-House Verification Experts

BURLINGTON, Ontario – March 25, 2026 – In a move that establishes a new global benchmark for the professional cleaning and hygiene industry, Bunzl Canada has announced the appointment of the world’s first in-house CIMS‑GB Verification Experts. This strategic development not only solidifies the company's leadership position in sustainable business solutions but also signals a significant shift in how corporate environmental and operational standards are validated.

The company revealed that two of its team members, Darrell Campbell and David L. Smith, have become the first individuals anywhere in the world to earn the advanced CIMS‑GB Verification Expert designation from ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. This achievement places Bunzl at the forefront of a growing movement demanding more rigorous, transparent, and credible sustainability practices within facility management.

Decoding the New Gold Standard

For years, the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) has provided a framework for cleaning organizations to structure their operations for maximum quality and efficiency. The CIMS-Green Building (GB) criteria represent a specialized, top-tier level of that standard, focusing on sustainable cleaning practices that directly support clients seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for their buildings.

However, Bunzl's announcement introduces a critical new layer of expertise. While many professionals across the industry hold the CIMS‑GB Certified Expert (CCE) credential, which demonstrates a thorough understanding of the standard's principles, the Verification Expert designation is a significant step beyond. Individuals with this advanced credential are not just knowledgeable; they are authorized by ISSA to conduct formal audits, evaluate evidence, and perform independent third-party assessments of a company's cleaning program. This distinction elevates the process from consultation to verification, providing a level of assurance previously unavailable from an in-house resource.

The significance of this development was underscored by ISSA itself. “This milestone reflects a major step forward in global CIMS‑GB adoption,” said Shane Ferris of ISSA, acknowledging the gravity of the achievement. “Darrell and David’s achievement demonstrate Bunzl’s commitment to raising industry standards.” This endorsement from the standard-setting body confirms that Bunzl is not just adopting best practices but is actively involved in pioneering their implementation.

A Strategic Leap in a Competitive Market

In a market where sustainability claims are common but often difficult to substantiate, Bunzl's move is a calculated strategic gambit. By embedding verification expertise within its own team, the company can now offer a uniquely comprehensive, end-to-end solution that competitors will find difficult to replicate. This new capability seamlessly integrates with the company's existing proprietary platforms, creating a powerful ecosystem for facility hygiene.

The firm's ConfidentClean® program provides a framework for designing customized, site-specific cleaning plans that align with a client's operational and sustainability goals. This is complemented by the CleanWatch™ platform, a proprietary monitoring system that gives customers real-time visibility into program execution and consistency. The addition of in-house Verification Experts closes the loop, bridging the gap between program implementation and formal, independent validation.

“Innovation at Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene has always been about bringing our customers the industry’s most advanced solutions and expertise,” stated Brock Tully, Sr. Vice President at Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene. “By becoming the first organization in the world to bring CIMS‑GB Verification Experts in‑house, we’re building on that legacy... This delivers real‑time insights and continuous improvement to help customers operate more efficiently, while meeting the highest standards of sustainability in their facility cleaning programs.”

This integrated approach allows Bunzl to guide clients through the entire lifecycle of a sustainable cleaning program, a critical advantage as organizations face increasing pressure from stakeholders, investors, and regulators to provide credible Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting.

The Tangible Benefits of Verified Cleaning

The direct beneficiaries of this innovation are the facility managers, procurement officers, and corporate sustainability leaders who are tasked with maintaining clean, healthy, and environmentally responsible buildings. The shift from self-reported compliance to what Bunzl describes as “credible, defensible, third‑party validated performance” offers a host of tangible advantages.

First and foremost is credibility. With in-house experts qualified to perform independent assessments, clients can have a higher degree of confidence that their cleaning programs meet the stringent CIMS-GB criteria. This validated performance provides robust data for ESG reports and strengthens applications for green building certifications like LEED.

Furthermore, the structured approach inherent in the CIMS-GB standard often leads to significant operational efficiencies. By optimizing processes, standardizing product use, and improving workforce management, organizations can reduce waste, control costs, and enhance service delivery. Health and safety are also improved, as the standard emphasizes the use of sustainable products and procedures that contribute to better indoor air quality and a healthier environment for all building occupants.

As David L. Smith, Cleaning Hygiene & Sanitation Director at Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene and one of the newly certified experts, explained, this expertise is about creating systemic change. “With this level of expertise and insight, we can help organizations implement standardized processes, measurable performance metrics, and healthier, more sustainable cleaning programs,” he said.

The Pioneers Behind the Certification

At the heart of this industry-first are Darrell Campbell and David L. Smith. Their achievement in becoming the world's inaugural CIMS-GB Verification Experts represents the culmination of deep industry experience and a commitment to professional excellence. This new role is not simply a title; it signifies a new specialization within the cleaning industry, one that combines deep technical knowledge of cleaning science with the rigorous, impartial mindset of an auditor.

Achieving this designation requires a mastery of the CIMS-GB standard and the advanced skills needed to assess complex operational systems against its strict requirements. Campbell and Smith are now positioned as the foremost authorities in this emerging field, setting a precedent for professional development and specialization.

Their presence within Bunzl transforms the company's role from that of a product distributor to a strategic partner in sustainability and operational excellence. It allows the organization to proactively identify gaps, recommend improvements, and guide clients toward a state of verified compliance. This development elevates the very nature of the client-supplier relationship, embedding a level of expert consultation and validation that will likely become the new expectation for industry leaders.