ISO 20121 Certification: Your Guide to Sustainable Events

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, ISO 20121 certification is becoming more important for companies that plan and execute events. This international standard for event management helps organizations create sustainable events, encompassing environmental, social, and economic considerations. ISO 20121 provides a practical framework for identifying potential negative impacts of events and developing measures to reduce these impacts. It confirms that a company organizes events with consideration for ecological, economic, and social aspects, strengthening the trust of participants and clients. In times when sustainable action is demanded, ISO 20121 certification represents a crucial step for responsible event management.

 

ISO 20121 Certification – Key Information for Your ISO 20121 Certification

What You Can Expect from ISO 20121 Certification by PIAQ:

 

International accreditations guarantee neutral, valuable certificationQuotes within 24 hoursCertification audit achievable within 2-4 weeks
Preferred audit date secured through early coordinationISO 20121 certification starting from €1,970Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
 

Fill out our quote form now! Quick, straightforward, and without obligations – receive your free, personalized, and non-binding quote within 24 hours.

 

ISO 20121 Certification Process

 

 
 
FAQ – Learn More About ISO 20121 Certification

Do you want to learn more about ISO 20121 certification? Our experts have answered the most important questions for you.

ISO 20121, known as "Event Sustainability Management Systems – Requirements with Guidance for Use," was first introduced in 2012. The development of this standard was heavily influenced by the growing global awareness of sustainability, particularly in the event and conference industry. A significant historical milestone for ISO 20121 was the 2012 London Olympics, which served as a pioneer for sustainable large-scale events and comprehensively demonstrated the implementation and principles of ISO 20121. This standard is based on the British standard BS 8901, which was specifically developed for the event industry and later replaced by ISO 20121 to provide an international standard.

ISO 20121 certification provides companies in the event sector with a comprehensive guideline for integrating sustainability into all aspects of their activities. This not only promotes environmentally friendly and socially responsible event planning but also brings significant business benefits.

  • Promote sustainability awareness
  • Improve resource efficiency
  • Reduce waste
  • Minimize energy consumption
  • Reduce carbon footprint
  • Optimize risk management
  • Strengthen employee engagement
  • Build reputation and brand image
  • Ensure compliance with environmental legislation
  • Gain competitive advantage
  • Strengthen stakeholder trust
  • Support long-term profitability
  • Increase innovation potential
  • Highlight social responsibility

The exact cost of your ISO 20121 certification is individual and depends on various factors, primarily influenced by the size of your company and the scope of the certification process. The number of locations and the number of employees play a decisive role. The maturity of your existing system and any previous or current certifications can also affect the costs.

ISO 20121 Certification Cost: Based on our current daily rates, you can expect costs starting from €1,970 for ISO 20121 certification if your company has 1-25 employees. Please note that this estimate may vary, and a more accurate assessment will be provided after receiving your specific information.

To obtain ISO 20121 certification, companies and organizations must implement a sustainability management system that meets specific requirements. This includes developing a sustainability policy that outlines clear goals and measures to improve the environmental, economic, and social aspects of their events. Additionally, they must establish processes for continuous review and improvement of these systems and demonstrate that their event management practices actively contribute to sustainability and are continuously improved.

ISO 20121 is applicable to any company or organization, regardless of size or type, that plans, manages, or executes events. This includes a wide range of actors such as:

  • Event organizers and managers
  • Exhibition and conference centers
  • Hotels and event venues
  • Concert and festival organizers
  • Sports event organizers
  • Corporate event planners
  • Cities and municipalities hosting large events
  • Suppliers and service providers within the event industry

From the initial application to the issuance of the certificate, it takes between 4 and 12 weeks if the audit is conducted without major deviations. The duration may be longer depending on the size of the organization or the complexity of the events and can be adjusted according to customer requirements. It is important that the audit must be completed within 6 months after the order confirmation.

If you submit an application for ISO 20121 certification today, you will receive a non-binding quote tomorrow. After order confirmation, we can conduct the audit within two weeks. If the audit is completed without deviations, the certification committee needs about 2-3 working days for its decision. 1-2 days after a positive decision by the certification committee, the certificate is issued and provided to you as a PDF and in hard copy.

    Yes, ISO 20121 can be well integrated with other management system standards, especially those based on the High-Level Structure (HLS). This facilitates integration with standards such as:

    • ISO 9001
    • ISO 14001
    • ISO 45001
    • ISO 50001
     
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