Guide to ISO 20121

What is ISO 20121?

ISO 20121 is a standard about your way of working and how you consider your economic, environmental and social impacts within your way of working. It is not a checklist of actions you must do but a collection of processes which you need to implement across your business. ISO 20121 is suitable for all members of the event industry supply chain and any size of business.

How was it created?

In 2007 the first version of BS 8901 was launched in the UK. Soon after launch there was evidence of BS 8901 being used around the world so it was proposed that an international standard be created from the starting point of BS 8901. Over 30 countries and 4 liaison bodies were involved in the creation of ISO 20121. Three representatives from each country meet over a period of two years to create an international standard. These representatives were mainly from the event industry so this is a standard created for the event industry by the event industry. The countries and liaison bodies who provided significant contribution to the development of the standard included: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, Spain, Sweden, UK, US and Meeting Professionals International.

What does it mean for the event industry?

ISO standards are recognised around the world. The event industry now has its own international standard for the implementation of sustainability. This means there is now a way for all event organisers and suppliers in the event industry to demonstrate that they are considering their economic, environmental and social impacts with every decision they make. It is possible that around the world, sponsors and event organisers will start requiring this best practice, and venues, production companies and other suppliers will start implementing ISO 20121 with the aim of showing leadership.

Can you tell me how to implement ISO 20121 in five easy steps?
1. Identify your issues - in other words where do you have a negative economic, social or environmental impacts which you have some control over? 2. Create an action plan - what needs to happen to address your negative impacts, who needs to do what and when? 3. Allocate resources to this action plan - for example take time and budget to get educated on what sustainability means. 4. Engage those who are interested in what you are doing and listen to their input. This would include your staff, suppliers, top management and local community - what do they think are your issues and how can they support your action plan? 5. Monitor and evaluate your progress - what is working? What needs to change?

Where can I find more information?

For more information on ISO 20121 and event sustainability, visit the Positive Impact website: www.positive-impact-events.com