I was thinking about the comments about ES, BBB, BNI,
IICRC Cert Firms.
Yes, anyone can join for a price.
BNI may be a networking group but there is still a strict code of ethics that one agrees to when they join and they can be kicked out as easily as they joined.
Apparently the BBB has heard the cry of the critics and they are changing the way they assess members. Hopefully they police it a lot better.
Cert Firms, the criteria is to have insurance, have cert in the field you want to work in, and have enough money. I would imagine there are quite a few Cert Firms that aren't ethical.
ES, you agree to abide by a code of ethics in order to join. I don't know how it is policed or if it is.
Hec, even this board has a code of ethics, and it costs $60 to join.
Unfortunately there is probably one unethical cleaner for every ethical one. People need some where to look, somewhere to thin the herd. Fortunately, most unethical cleaners wouldn't even be bothered to join all these organizations. I would think every ethical cleaner would love to have a place to list their name. Gee, it only cost me about $40, one time fee, to have my name listed. How much have I wasted on coffee?