To improve the standards and professionalism of the UK chimney sweeping industry ensuring the longevity of the chimney sweeping profession for chimney sweeps while safeguarding both the public and trade from the risk of chimney fires and CO poisoning.
The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps was established with the goal to improve standards within the industry by introducing professional training and assessment for sweeps.
Today, the Guild is both nationally and internationally recognised for its efforts and achievements in improving standards for both chimney sweeps and their customers.
The Guild is also a member of the 'Europaische Schornsteinfegermeister Föderation' or the European Federation of Master Chimney Sweeps (ESCHFOE). Some countries take chimney sweeping more seriously than others for example, in Germany, it is a legal requirement that chimneys are swept once a year. This has resulted in Germany having a drastically lower number of chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisonings than the UK.
Sweeps within the UK are still not legally obliged to pursue any training or gain any qualifications in order to trade. However, for a chimney sweep to become a member of the Guild they must meet and adhere to strict criteria while also achieving the highest minimum standards in the industry.
For chimney sweeps this means that they can provide the highest level of service to their customers while having the support and experience of a national trade organisation. Many Guild members go on to gain further qualifications within the chimney sweeping industry.
