Antitrust Policy

 Statement of Purpose Home Quarters Warehouse LLC ("the Company") is committed to strict compliance with all federal and state antitrust laws, including the Sherman Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Company provides business coaching, networking chapters, and independent cleaning service accreditation. This Policy ensures that the Company’s operations promote fair competition and never facilitate anti competitive agreements, price-fixing, market allocation, or unlawful exclusion.

 Unbundling and Separation of Services: To ensure complete compliance with antitrust laws governing standard setting organizations:

• Independent Evaluation: The HQW Standard of Cleaning Excellence Accreditation is an entirely independent credential.
• No Mandatory Bundling: A cleaning business is not required to purchase or participate in the Company’s Business Coaching programs or Networking Chapters to apply for, receive, or maintain accreditation.
• Open Access: Accreditation is available to any qualified cleaning businesses that meets the accreditation criteria.  Home Quarters Warehouse avoids criteria for membership which either is unrelated to legitimate purposes of the company or which in any way tend to reduce the level of competition. Home Quarters Warehouse may expel members only for proper substantive grounds (such as nonpayment of membership dues or change in business). 

 Objective Standard-Setting and Due Process: The Company’s accreditation criteria are designed solely to promote workplace safety, operational efficiency, and quality in the cleaning industry.

• No Competitor Review: All accreditation applications are reviewed and processed exclusively by independent Company staff or objective, third-party auditors. Marketplace competitors of the applicant have no vote, influence, or role in the approval or denial process.
• Objective Metrics: Standards are based on clear, measurable, and evidence based criteria (e.g., safety training, chemical compliance, and documented operational procedures). No subjective business metrics will be used to exclude a qualified applicant.
• Appeals Process: Any applicant denied accreditation will be provided a clear, written explanation of the deficiencies and a fair, independent appeals process to contest the decision.

Code of Conduct for Coaching and Networking Programs: The Company’s coaching programs and networking chapters bring industry competitors together for professional development. To prevent unlawful information exchange or collusion, all participants, coaches, and staff are strictly prohibited from discussing or exchanging information regarding:

• Pricing and Rates: Specific consumer prices, commercial contract rates, hourly fees, square foot formulas, price minimums, or planned price increases.
• Labor and Wages: Employee or independent contractor compensation, wage caps, benefit packages, or agreements not to recruit or hire competitors' employees ("no-poach" agreements).
• Market Allocation: Geographic territories, specific client accounts, service boundaries, or agreements to divide the market to avoid competing.
• Group Boycotts: Agreements to refuse to deal with specific suppliers, vendors, or competitors.

5. Enforcement and Compliance: The Company, Home Quarters Warehouse reserves the right to immediately terminate the coaching membership, chapter access, or accreditation status of any business or individual who violates this Antitrust Policy. 

Approved, June 18th, 2026