A number of ‘like-minded’ US associations within the cleaning and restoration segment have created the Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Association (ICRA). Its remit is ‘to work towards the common goal of improving service and education for their members.

‘The concept of creating an organisation like the ICRA has been discussed for quite some time, and is now becoming a reality. ICRA will create new opportunities and member benefits for you as an association member,’ said the mid-January statement.

ICRA was established in December 2011 by seven regional trade associations, including the Society of Cleaning and Restoration Specialists (SCRT), the Cleaning and Restoration Association (CRA), the Professional Association of Cleaning and Restoration (PACR), the Midwest Cleaning and Restoration Association (MCRA), the Mid South Professional Cleaners Association (MSPCA), the New England Institute of Restoration and Cleaning (NEIRC) and the New York Rug Cleaners Institute (NYRCI.

It is said that ICRA will create a venue for these organisations and others to promote the inspection, cleaning and restoration industry goals mentioned above.

‘Through the cooperative effort and shared work of all ICRA members, its existence will enhance each organisation’s member benefits and education of the industry overall. Most of all, its formation gives us a unified voice in an industry that is currently fragmented.

‘With that unified voice, ICRA can help to support and uniformly guide the inspection, cleaning and restoration community.’

ICRA is an association membership organisation and is not part of The Clean Trust (formerly IICRC).

The Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Association can be contacted at ICRAinformation@gmail.com