What is BS EN ISO 20201-1:2012?

BS EN ISO 20201-1:2012 is a technical standard that provides guidelines for event sustainability management systems. It is designed to help organizations in the events industry implement effective practices to minimize their environmental impact, promote social responsibility, and ensure economic viability. This standard focuses on addressing sustainability issues throughout the lifecycle of an event, from planning and execution to post-event activities.

The Key Principles

This standard emphasizes several key principles that organizations should adhere to when implementing event sustainability management systems:

Integration of sustainable development principles into all stages of event planning and execution.

Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders to identify and address sustainability issues.

Consideration of social, environmental, and economic impacts of events.

Evaluation and continuous improvement of performance through monitoring, measurement, and analysis.

Compliance with relevant legal requirements and regulations.

Benefits of Implementing BS EN ISO 20201-1:2012

Implementing BS EN ISO 20201-1:2012 can bring various benefits to organizations in the events industry. Firstly, it helps reduce the environmental footprint of events by minimizing energy consumption, waste generation, and carbon emissions. Secondly, it promotes social responsibility by ensuring health and safety of attendees, supporting local communities, and fostering diversity and inclusion. Thirdly, it contributes to the long-term economic viability of events by identifying cost-saving opportunities and enhancing reputation and brand value.

How to Implement BS EN ISO 20201-1:2012?

Implementing BS EN ISO 20201-1:2012 requires a systematic approach. Organizations should start by establishing a sustainability policy and objectives that align with their broader business strategy. They should then identify relevant stakeholders and engage them in the process to ensure inclusivity and effectiveness. Next, organizations need to assess the impacts of their events and develop strategies to mitigate risks and enhance opportunities for sustainability. Implementation also involves monitoring and measuring performance against set objectives, conducting audits, and periodically reviewing the system for continuous improvement.