ISO 20121: Event Sustainability Management Systems
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Whether large festivals or small business events, every event can have an impact on the environment and society. ISO 20121 provides a structured framework for making events more sustainable while promoting responsible use of resources. The standard is aimed at organizations and individuals of all types and sizes.
ISO 20121 describes a management system for events or event series. A single event itself cannot claim conformity with the standard – rather, conformity is based on the underlying management system. This can either apply organization-wide or specifically to certain events.
Thanks to its flexible structure, ISO 20121 can also be easily combined and integrated with other standards such as ISO 9001 (quality management) or ISO 14001 (environmental management).
Objectives of ISO 20121
The standard pursues several key objectives:
- Introduction of best practices in sustainability management for events
- Consideration of economic, ecological, and social aspects for a holistic approach to sustainability
- Promotion of a continuous improvement process
- Systematic identification and management of risks and opportunities
The focus is on fundamental sustainability principles with an emphasis on three core areas: environment, society, and economy.
Advantages of ISO 20121
The implementation of ISO 20121 offers a wide range of advantages:
- Seamless integration into existing management systems
- Cost reduction through increased efficiency and optimized resource utilization
- Increased transparency in performance evaluation
- Early risk detection and active risk minimization
- Strengthening of the continuous improvement process
- Improved environmental performance as a visible sign of sustainable responsibility