What is HLAC?
HLAC is a non-profit organization formed for the purpose of inspecting and accrediting laundries processing healthcare textiles for hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The fee-based inspection process is entirely voluntary, but the Council anticipates leading healthcare laundries, both for- profit and non-profit, will seek accreditation.

What is HLAC’s mission?
The HLAC mission is to publish high standards for processing healthcare textiles, and to provide an inspection and accreditation process that recognizes those laundries meeting or exceeding these standards.

Does it have members?
No. The Council is solely a Board of Directors (volunteers) and a small administrative staff for day to day operations of the Council.

Who are its board members?
The 12-member Board of Directors is an independent group of professionals, representing a broad array of interests. They include commercial laundry operators, association executives, co-op and on-premise laundry operators, and representatives of federal government organizations. See our Board of Directors page for their names and affiliations.

What does “Accreditation” mean?
When HLAC accredits a laundry that processes healthcare linen, it warrants that the organization has successfully passed an inspection of its facility, policies and procedures, training programs, and its relationships with its healthcare customers. The inspection is based on Accreditation Standards for Processing Reusable Textiles for Use in Healthcare Facilities. These Standards have been developed and are published by the Council, and are based on federal regulations and guidelines, as well as best industry practices. A copy of the Standards is available on this web site.

Accreditation by HLAC means that the facility has met or exceeded the high standards published by the Council.

What do the Standards cover?
The Accreditation Standards for Processing Reusable Textiles for use in Healthcare Facilities cover the complete textile processing cycle, from handling and transporting soiled healthcare textiles, to in-plant processing and delivery back to the customer. The Standards also cover many basic considerations, such as facility layout, personnel training, and customer service. Special attention has been directed to OSHA required practices, including Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Standards.

Is Accreditation by HLAC required?
Not at this time. Accreditation is an entirely voluntary process.

How much does it cost to become accredited?
The current fee is $5,000 per plant, with a non-refundable application fee of $1,000 due upon registration, and the balance due 30 days before the inspection date. Multiple plants owned by the same organization receive a 20% per plant discount for each plant after the first one. Note that to qualify for the multi-plant discount all of the applications must be submitted at the same time. Lastly, the inspector's travel expenses are also the responsibility of the applicant, and will be charged after the inspection at actual cost.

Is there a time limit after application to schedule the inspection?
The application is valid for one year after receipt of the initial fee. You must schedule your inspection before the one-year expiration, or you could possibly forfeit the application fee. If there are extenuating circumstances HLAC can consider an extension, however the balance of the inspection fee must be paid before the one-year expiration date in order to file for an extension.

How long does the inspection take?
The inspection will take one day. The laundry will receive a pre-inspection packet outlining the documents needed for review, so they can be ready on inspection day. The inspector will provide a brief verbal summary immediately after the inspection, and a formal written report will follow within 10 days. If the laundry passes the inspection it will immediately be accredited by HLAC.

How long does accreditation last?
Accreditation is for three years.

What happens if I fail the inspection?
HLAC is committed to working with each laundry that is inspected. If the initial report shows too many discrepancies to allow for accreditation, we allow 45 days for them to be corrected, and will assist in explaining what needs to be done and how to do it. Only if the laundry continues to have major discrepancies after 45 days will we withhold accreditation.

Who are the inspectors?
The HLAC board has interviewed and approved a select few professionals in the healthcare laundry industry to act as inspectors. They are not employees of HLAC, but are independent contractors who have wide-ranging experience in the industry, and are distinguished in skill, temperament, and integrity. The Council provides in-depth training in our Standards and our inspection guidelines before allowing the inspectors to begin their work.

What about conflicts of interest?

HLAC takes great care to ensure that each inspection is objective and fair. The inspector may not already be a consultant to or affiliated with the laundry to be inspected, and may not use the inspection process to arrange future work with the laundry. Failure to follow this protocol will result in the inspector being dropped from further work with HLAC, and the facility will not be accredited.