What is ISO 20121?
ISO 20121:2012, Event sustainability management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, is suitable for ensuring that events, ranging from local celebrations to "mega events" such as the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, leave behind a positive legacy. The standard is relevant to all members of the event industry supply chain including organizers, event managers, stand builders, caterers and logistics suppliers.
Conferences, concerts, sporting events, exhibitions and festivals can offer a wide range of public, local community and economic benefits. However staging an event can also generate negative economic, environmental and social impacts, such as material waste, energy consumption and strains on local communities.
ISO 20121 provides the framework for identifying the potentially negative social, economic and environmental impacts of events by removing or reducing them, and capitalizing on more positive impacts through improved planning and processes.
Benefits of ISO 20121
ISO 20121 offers benefits to all actors involved in the organization of an event, at all stages of the supply chain, including the following :
- Event organizers
- Event owners
- Workforce
- Supply chain (such as caterers, stand constructors, transport companies)
- Participants
- Attendees
- Regulatory bodies
- Communities