Enhancements to cleaning business licensing framework are part of overall efforts to drive capabilities and raise public health standards
Singapore, 20 December 2023 – From 1 January 2024, cleaning businesses will be differentiated into three classes of licences with a 2-year licence validity [1]. The enhancement comes amid rising demands for quality cleaning services, and growing manpower challenges in the cleaning sector. The changes will uplift public health standards in Singapore, as cleaning businesses deepen competencies, adopt productivity solutions, and create better employment opportunities.
2 New requirements include bizSAFE certification and a minimum paid-up capital or net worth. The bizSAFE certification supports the national thrust in workplace safety and ensures that cleaning businesses inculcate a culture of workplace safety for its workforce. A minimum paid-up capital or net worth ensures that the cleaning businesses are committed and have the financial bandwidth to pay Progressive Wage Model wages and invest in equipment and/or new technologies. Service buyers will be able to make better informed decisions based on licence classification when procuring the cleaning services.
3 Existing cleaning businesses that are unable to meet the new licensing requirements and do not qualify for Class 1 or 2 Licences can apply for a non-renewable Class 3 Licence. The Class 3 Licence will also serve a transitory function and provide additional two years for cleaning businesses to grow their capabilities without imposing any new requirements. More information on the revised cleaning business licensing framework can be found on go.gov.sg/cleaning-business-licence.
4 The enhanced cleaning business licensing framework was introduced as part of the Environmental Public Health (Amendment) Bill in parliament on 9 January 2023 and passed on 6 February 2023 [2]. To ensure smooth transition towards the enhanced framework, NEA, together with key stakeholders and partner agencies engaged cleaning businesses via multiple channels including circulars, electronic direct mailers, and several rounds of industry engagement sessions to address queries from cleaning businesses. As of 30 November 2023, there are more than 1,480 licensed cleaning businesses and 54,500 cleaners.
5 NEA will continue to reach out to cleaning businesses to share relevant initiatives and programmes under the Environmental Services Industry Transformation Map that will enable the cleaning sector to grow competencies and develop a skilled and resilient workforce.
[1] Refer to Annex A for more information on the revised licensing requirements.
[2] Refer to the media release here: https://go.gov.sg/9jan2023-mediarelease-cbl
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ANNEX A
Requirements under the Revised Cleaning Business Licence Framework
a. Class 3 Licence is a non-renewable tier: It is available to new businesses and existing licensees as of 31 Dec 2023 (once only upon licence expiry), including licensees that cannot immediately meet the Class 1 or Class 2 licence requirements. Cleaning businesses with Class 3 licence must upgrade and attain a Class 1 or Class 2 licence within the two-year period in order to continue operating their cleaning business.
b. Class 2 Licence (Basic tier in steady state): Businesses need to meet paid-up capital ($25,000) and bizSAFE certification (level 3) requirements.
c. Class 1 Licence (Enhanced tier): Cleaning businesses must show at least one cleaning contract in the past 12 months, and all their cleaners must be trained in at least three WSQ training modules. They also need to meet a higher paid-up capital ($250,000) and be free from any conviction(s) in the past 24 months.
* For Class 3 Licence, renewal is only applicable to licensed cleaning businesses as of 31 December 2023. Currently licensed cleaning businesses will be able to renew their licences one time to the Class 3 Licence when their licences expire.
# Requirement enhanced from 2 training modules
(Note: ACRA refers to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, ROS refers to the Registry of Societies, WSH refers to Workplace Safety and Health, WSQ refers to the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications.)