What is ISO 20121?
ISO 20121 is the internationally recognized standard for Event Sustainability Management Systems (ESMS). It provides a framework for organisations to identify, manage, monitor, and enhance their sustainability performance in event planning and delivery. By implementing a robust ESMS, organisations can minimize their environmental impact, meet legal and stakeholder requirements, and foster a culture of sustainability and continual improvement in their event operations.
An ESMS consists of policies, processes, plans, practices, and records that define the principles and procedures for how your organisation integrates sustainability into event management. ISO 20121 offers a flexible framework, enabling organizations to tailor their ESMS to align with specific sustainability objectives, legal obligations, and the unique nature of their events, services, and stakeholders.
Achieving certification to ISO 20121 is not a mandatory step for organizations to benefit from its principles. Many businesses align their ESMS with ISO 20121 and opt for certification at a time that aligns with their strategic priorities and resources. This approach allows organizations to embrace the benefits of a structured and effective ESMS without the immediate commitment to certification costs.
What are the benefits of ISO 20121?
Streamlined Sustainability Efficiency: Optimise event management processes to minimize waste, conserve resources, and enhance overall sustainability performance.
Improved Sustainability Outcomes: Deliver environmentally and socially responsible events that meet regulatory requirements and surpass stakeholder expectations.
Proactive Risk Management: Identify, evaluate, and mitigate sustainability risks, leveraging data-driven strategies to prevent adverse environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Engaged and Empowered Teams: Cultivate a culture of sustainability by clearly defining roles, enhancing team morale, and encouraging ownership of event sustainability goals.
Sustainable Growth and Innovation: Drive continuous improvement in event management practices, enabling adaptability to sustainability challenges and fostering long-term value creation.
Steps to getting ISO 20121 certification
Every organisation has their own unique way of implementing ISO 20121, tailored specifically to their business. However, there are some common steps to achieving certification.
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Carry out a Gap Analysis to asses your current management system against the requirements of ISO 20121. Develop an action plan to address the gaps and bring your practices in line with the standard. |
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Develop and implement an action plan aligned with ISO 20121 by setting strategic sustainability objectives, creating and enacting a comprehensive sustainability policy, identifying and managing significant sustainability aspects and impacts, and integrating responsible event management practices across all areas of your organization. |
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Stage 1 Certification Audit - your chosen certification body will review the scope of your management system and assess your readiness for certification. |
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Address any areas of improvement identified at Stage 1 Certification Audit and continue to implement your management system, building up evidence of compliance. |
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Stage 2 Certification Audit - your chose certification body will evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of your management system, and will make a recommendation for certification |
Once your have gained certification, you need to continue the implementation and development of your ESMS. You will typically be subject to an annual surveillance audit carried out by your certification body to ensure your ESMS continues to meet the requirements of ISO 20121.
ISO 20121 Certification is awarded for a period of three years; your certification body will carry out a full certification audit after three years to full examine the EMS.
Remember to promote your ISO 20121 certification - it demonstrates a commitment to best sustainable practices and continual improvement, helping you win new business and gives assurance to stakeholders.
ISO 20121 FAQ's
A: ISO 20121 is founded on the essential principles of leadership and commitment, adopting a risk based approach, taking a life-cycle perpective, engaging stakedholders to ensure inclusivity in sustainabilty practices and continual improvement.
A: Adopting ISO 20121 enables organisations to deliver sustainable and responsible events by minimizing environmental impacts, enhancing social responsibility, and improving operational efficiency. It fosters stakeholder trust, ensures compliance with regulations, and promotes cost savings through resource optimization. By addressing sustainability risks and opportunities, it enhances resilience and drives innovation. Organisations benefit from a framework that supports continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement, and global recognition, leaving a positive legacy and strengthening their reputation in the event industry.
Implementing ISO 20121 opens up more opportunities for business growth, allowing you to access more potential clients and new sectors. Achieving ISO 20121 means your business has a well-documented ESMS, and you are able to address questions during the tendering process easily.
A: Complying with ISO 20121 can be self-proclaimed when you have implemented all the requirements of the standard to the best of your ability. To give assurance to this claim, Applaud can carry out an assessment of your ESMS against the requirements of ISO 20121.
Certified to ISO 20121 means that an independent certification body has assessed your ESMS against the requirements of ISO 20121 and has provided written assurance of compliance.
A: To achieve ISO 20121 certification, you must engage an ISO 20121 certification body and pass an audit that looks for evidence that your ESMS is in place and meets the certification standards. Applaud can help you select a certification body that meets the needs of your business.
A: The time taken to achieve ISO 20121 certification can vary from a few weeks to a year or more, depending on the size and complexity of your organisation and the readiness of your organisation at the start of the process. Typically Applaud work on a six to nine month timescale, but this can be shortened or may be lengthened based on factors such as the size of the organisation, your existing management processes, the resources available to work on the management system and number of locations the organisation has.
A: A certification body provides independent third party recognition of your compliance with ISO 20121. When choosing an certification body, you need to consider if they are accredited by UKAS or not. Be aware that some supply chains insist on UKAS accredited awarding bodies for ISO 20121 certification.
A: UKAS-accredited certification bodies are officially recognised in the UK to provide ISO 20121 certification, ensuring compliance with rigorous international standards and delivering globally trusted credentials. Certifications from UKAS-accredited bodies are more credible, widely accepted, and often required for regulated industries or government contracts. Non-accredited certification bodies, while often cheaper, lack oversight from recognised authorities, leading to inconsistent auditing quality and limited acceptance by clients or markets. Choosing a UKAS-accredited body reduces risks and enhances the value and recognition of your ISO 20121 certification.
A: Certification lasts for three years (subject to the outcome of surveillance audits). During those three years you will need to carry out internal audits of your ESMS and be subject to surveillance audits by your certification body. At the end of the three year period, you will go through a re-certification audit similar to the stage 2 certification audit.
A: ISO 20121:2024 Event Sustainability Management System