Sustainable Spa Association launches to champion ethical spas

A new association is gearing up to launch this spring, with the aim of accrediting and championing spas that meet high standards of sustainability.

The Sustainable Spa Association (SSA) will be a not-for-profit, member-based, association.

It is being establish by spa professionals Lucy Brialey, distributor of nutrition brand Hech and former group head of spa for Aspria, and Robert Cooper, managing director of eco towel manufacturer Scrummi Spa.

The aim is to educate spa and salon members, as well as brand partners, on their environmental impact and promote successful and profitable, long-term operational sustainability strategies.

Members can gain SSA Accreditation, graded from standard through to platinum, by using the association’s sustainability self-assessment tool, which highlights areas for improvements and methods for implementing change. 

Once the self-assessment is complete, there is an option for members to achieve an industry standard grading that will be audited by the SSA.

“The SSA-recognised certification will increase a spa or salon’s profile to consumers as a responsible and environmentally aware business,” said Brialey.

“Consumers will be able to research and access sustainability information on spas in the UK that have achieved accreditation, enabling them to make informed choices on how they prefer to spa for their own health and the health of the environment.

“For consumers, The SSA will be a place for trusted and up-to-date information on the sustainable integrity of spas where they can choose to restore their wellbeing in an ethical way.”

In addition to educational events, SSA members will have access to an ethical buying guide of product houses and suppliers that have met SSA criteria.