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A common language for cleaning
15th of December 2025 Article by John Griep
John Griep at VSR in the Netherlands tells us about a system that standardises sector terminology.
Standardisation of terminology is a quietly powerful lever for improving safety, efficiency and commercial clarity in any technical service sector. In the cleaning industry the Standaard Informatie Systeem-Terminologie (SIS-T) performs that role: an alphabetical, maintained list of cleaning-industry terms with agreed descriptions so that stakeholders - clients, contractors, facility managers and auditors - use the same words to describe the same things.
A practical case
Before the 2025 refresh, Dutch terms like ‘dagelijks onderhoud (daily maintenance) and ‘dagelijks reinigen’ (daily cleaning) were often used interchangeably in tenders and work programmes, yet interpreted differently in scope and frequency. The SIS-T now explicitly equates these terms and anchors them to a measurable parameter; minimum once per week, which improves comparability across offers and contracts.
When linked to VSR-KMS inspections, the defined scope becomes auditable rather than a matter of interpretation. In regulated environments (eg, food production), pairing SIS-T terminology with VSR practice guidelines/food audits supports consistent verification against agreed methods and acceptance criteria. Embedding SIS-T references in tender texts and cleaning programmes therefore turns vague labels into enforceable, auditable specifications.
From terminology to measurable practice
SIS-T provides the common vocabulary but its real value emerges only when those terms are linked to practical instruments. VSR practice guidelines require that terminology be translated into work instructions and quality criteria, while the VSR Quality Measurement System (VSR-KMS) offers standardised methods for audits. In addition, verification techniques such as ATP or UV testing are recommended to objectively assess cleaning outcomes. In this way, terminology becomes not just consistent but also verifiable in practice.
Recent update: SIS-T (2025)
SIS-T is actively maintained by sector organisations and saw its most recent update in 2025. The refreshes keep the vocabulary aligned with evolving practice and ensure procurement documents, operational work programmes and training materials rely on precise wording that prevents misinterpretation.
The renewed SIS-T list is publicly accessible via an alphabetical search function on the VSR website and is intended for everyone involved in the sector. Whether working in execution, planning, quality control or communications, professionals can use SIS-T as a single reference point: a reliable basis for consistent, professional language that supports clearer procurement, safer operations and verifiable audits. Adopted across documents and systems, SIS-T becomes less a glossary and more an enabling infrastructure for evidence-based, transparent cleaning practice.
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