Why We Charge Businesses to Access Our Content – and Where the Money Goes

At the UK Centre for Mould Safety (UKCMS), we are committed to one clear mission: protecting people’s health by raising the standards of mould assessment and remediation across the UK.

We’ve had a hugely positive response to our launch, and with it a very fair question: why do we charge businesses to access our guides?

The answer lies in the way we’re set up, and in the role we want to play.

A Public Health Mission

Mould is not just an inconvenience—it’s a public health issue. It worsens asthma, increases the risk of respiratory infections, and fuels avoidable NHS costs. Poor remediation practices can make things worse: spores spread, chemicals linger, and families are left in unsafe homes.

That’s why UKCMS has been established to become a Community Interest Company (CIC). Unlike a profit-driven firm, a CIC is legally bound to serve the community. Any surplus we generate is locked back into public benefit.

Free for the Public, Paid for by Industry

Our content is freely available to members of the public. Households facing mould need trusted advice they can act on immediately - without cost being a barrier.

For businesses and service providers, however, access to our task sheets and detailed technical guides comes with a subscription fee. This is not about gatekeeping knowledge; it’s about ensuring that those who earn a living from remediation contribute fairly to raising the standards of their own industry.

By charging businesses, we can:

• Keep public guidance free of charge

• Fund the continual improvement of our standards

• Train and accredit workers, so that competence is assured

• Campaign for policy change to embed health and safety into housing and construction policy and practice

• Support independent testing, research, and oversight

Where the Money Goes

Every pound that comes into UKCMS is reinvested into our mission. Subscription fees support:

• Development of task sheets (M0–M27 and beyond), written to international best practice and tailored for UK homes and buildings.

• Subsidised training and accreditation for professionals who want to demonstrate competence and win public trust.

• Public awareness campaigns that empower households to demand safe, lasting remediation rather than short-term sticking plaster fixes.

• Research and evidence gathering to highlight the real costs of mould to health and the NHS, and to advocate for stronger protections.

Because we are set up to become a CIC, our financial reporting is transparent, and our community benefit is audited.

Building a Fairer, Safer Industry

In short: businesses pay because businesses benefit. By raising standards together, we create an industry where cutting corners is no longer tolerated, and where families, landlords, and organisations can trust that remediation is done properly - first time, for the last time.

That is the change we’re working towards. And with your support - whether as a household, professional or membership organisation, we can make it happen.

Learn more and get involved at www.ukcms.org