ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management Systems

ISO 20121: Sustainable Event Management Standard

ISO 20121is an international standard developed to ensure that events are sustainable by reducing their environmental, social and economic impacts. This standard is applied in the planning, organization and evaluation processes of large-scale events such as conferences, fairs, sports events.

Why ISO 20121?

• Sustainability: It reduces the environmental footprint of events, uses resources more effectively and increases awareness of social responsibility.
• Brand Image: It shows companies' commitment to sustainability goals and strengthens their brand image.
• Legal Compliance: Ensures compliance with environmental regulations and social responsibility standards.
• Cost Reduction: It provides cost savings in areas such as waste management and energy efficiency.
• Risk Management: Reduces potential risks associated with events (e.g. environmental accidents, reputational damage).

Scope of ISO 20121

ISO 20121 covers the entire lifecycle of activities. This starts from the planning phase of the event and includes the organization, implementation and evaluation phases. The standard addresses the following topics:

• Environmental effects: Waste management, energy use, water use, emissions
• Social impacts: Community relations, human rights, employee rights
• Economic impacts: Contribution to the local economy, supply chain management
• Risk management: Identifying and managing potential risks related to events

Benefits of ISO 20121

• Environmental sustainability: It reduces carbon footprint and protects natural resources.
• Social responsibility: It contributes positively to communities and attaches importance to ethical values.
• Economic sustainability: It reduces costs and increases revenues.
• Competitive advantage: It differs from its competitors in terms of sustainability.
• Brand reputation: It strengthens the company's reputation.

How to Obtain ISO 20121 Certificate?

To obtain ISO 20121 certification, an organization must demonstrate that its activities comply with this standard. This process is completed with an evaluation by a certification body.

Certification Process:

1. Application: The organization applies to a certification body.
2. Evaluation: The certification body examines the organization's activities and evaluates its compliance with ISO 20121 requirements.
3. Document Issuance: Once all requirements are met, the organization is awarded ISO 20121 certification.

In summary, ISO 20121 is an important standard that enables events to be more sustainable by reducing their environmental, social and economic impacts. This standard helps companies both fulfill their environmental responsibilities and gain competitive advantage.