ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management

Ensure sustainable event management with ISO 20121 certification by RoyalCert.

ISO 20121 is the International Standard for Sustainable Event Management. It provides a clear framework for organizations planning and executing events to minimize environmental impact, enhance social responsibility and leave a positive legacy. The standard is flexible and can be applied to events of all sizes and types—global conferences, sports events, exhibitions or local gatherings.

Who Should Purse

ISO 20121?

ISO 20121 applies to any organization involved in the event industry, including;

responsible for planning and executing events of all scales

Involve all relevant stakeholders (employees, suppliers, clients, participants and local communities) to build consensus around sustainability goals

Establish a policy outlining your organization’s commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability

With the sustainability policy in place, your organization needs to implement the necessary processes and procedures. This includes setting specific goals for energy efficiency, waste reduction, responsible procurement, and ethical labor practices. Ensure these processes are well-documented, as they will form the basis of the audit for certification.

Ensure that everyone involved in the event management process, from internal teams to external suppliers, understands the new sustainable practices. Regular training and communication will foster a culture of sustainability within your organization and among your stakeholders.

To ensure compliance and improvement, it’s critical to monitor and measure your sustainability performance. This involves tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), conducting internal reviews, and assessing progress toward your sustainability goals. This evaluation process allows you to identify areas for further improvement and demonstrate your commitment to the continuous enhancement of your system.

Before proceeding to the formal certification audit, conduct an internal audit to verify that your event management system fully complies with ISO 20121. This internal audit serves as a rehearsal, allowing you to identify any issues and address them before the final audit.

Engage an independent certification body, such as RoyalCert, to conduct the official audit of your event management system. The audit will assess your system’s compliance with ISO 20121, and once all requirements are met, your organization will be awarded the certification.

After certification, your organization is required to maintain the standard by continually reviewing and improving its sustainability practices. Regular surveillance audits ensure that your event management system remains effective and compliant with ISO 20121 over time

Benefits of

ISO 20121?

Achieving ISO 20121 certification positions your organization as a sustainability leader in the event industry. It demonstrates commitment to reducing environmental impact, supporting local communities and practicing responsible resource management benefits include:

Certification provides a clear, independently verified statement that your organization is serious about sustainability.

Sustainable practices lead to more efficient use of resources such as energy, materials and manpower, resulting in cost reductions.

Certification reassures sponsors, participants and clients that your events meet high sustainability standards and are independently verified.

Demonstrates adherence to global sustainability principles and compliance with relevant regulations

Encourages ongoing evaluation and enhancement of processes, keeping your organization at the forefront of sustainable event management

Promotes consideration of how events affect local communities and the environment, leaving a lasting positive impact

Steps to Achieve of

ISO 20121 Certification

Obtaining ISO 20121 certification involves a structured process.

Evaluate current event management practices and conduct a gap analysis to identify necessary improvements

Involve all relevant stakeholders (employees, suppliers, clients, participants and local communities) to build consensus around sustainability goals

Establish a policy outlining your organization’s commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability

With the sustainability policy in place, your organization needs to implement the necessary processes and procedures. This includes setting specific goals for energy efficiency, waste reduction, responsible procurement, and ethical labor practices. Ensure these processes are well-documented, as they will form the basis of the audit for certification.

Ensure that everyone involved in the event management process, from internal teams to external suppliers, understands the new sustainable practices. Regular training and communication will foster a culture of sustainability within your organization and among your stakeholders.

To ensure compliance and improvement, it’s critical to monitor and measure your sustainability performance. This involves tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), conducting internal reviews, and assessing progress toward your sustainability goals. This evaluation process allows you to identify areas for further improvement and demonstrate your commitment to the continuous enhancement of your system.

Before proceeding to the formal certification audit, conduct an internal audit to verify that your event management system fully complies with ISO 20121. This internal audit serves as a rehearsal, allowing you to identify any issues and address them before the final audit.

Engage an independent certification body, such as RoyalCert, to conduct the official audit of your event management system. The audit will assess your system’s compliance with ISO 20121, and once all requirements are met, your organization will be awarded the certification.

After certification, your organization is required to maintain the standard by continually reviewing and improving its sustainability practices. Regular surveillance audits ensure that your event management system remains effective and compliant with ISO 20121 over time

Conclusion

ISO 20121 certification is a key step toward transforming events into sustainable, responsible and impactful experiences. Adopting this globally recognized standard reduces an organization’s environmental footprint and sets a benchmark for ethical event management. RoyalCert provides transparent, ethical and independent certification to validate your sustainability efforts

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