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Sustainability in Event Management
Tuesday, 11 Jun, 2010
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ISO to launch Green ISO/PC 250 for events industry
MPI, industry leading organizations advance key standard under development
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in conjunction with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and other industry experts have decided to advance the development of the standard for sustainability in event management by empowering the ISO project committee – ISO/PC 250.
The decision to advance to the third of five steps of the ISO process was made during the project committee’s second meeting in Paris, held between the 26 and 28 of April. The meeting included input from experts based in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.
Experts present from the organizations in liaison with the committee including MPI, The Green Meetings Industry Council and The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI).
There are more than 30 countries involved as participants and observers who can participate in the development of the various drafts and submit comments, which are addressed by the committee. Each country can create a mirror committee of experts who will review and contribute to the work done during the meetings.
“It is fantastic for MPI and our members to be at the table in developing a global event standard, it’s a pivotal moment for our industry demonstrating our commitment to sustainable business to the next level,” Roger Simons, MPI Manager of CSR and Sustainable Events said, “It’s vitally important that our members are ahead of the curve of increasing government regulation, scrutiny and demand from shareholders for sustainable business practices and using standards is one way of formally addressing this.”
As the standard is still in the development process, Simons and MPI are actively seeking members to engage and provide feedback on the initial draft. Simons added, “This is our opportunity to ensure the standard is practical and applicable whether you are located in the US, Europe or Asia, there are national mirror committees working on the document across the globe which can be bolstered by our members expertise".
The standard (ISO 20121) is applicable to any organization working within the event industry and takes a management systems approach that requires identification of key sustainability issues like venue selection, operating procedures, supply chain management, procurement, communications, transport, and others.
“The international experts have made significant contribution to the development of ISO 20121 and the general consensus is that ISO 20121 will be a strong, useful international standard,” said Fiona Pelham, Chair of ISO/PC 250.
The creation of ISO 20121 used the British Standard (BS 8901) as a foundation and other national standards have been referred to during the development of the International Standard.
National Standards are developed within a geographical boundary, while sometimes calling on broader consultation, and are highly relevant to a region/sector. ISO is the global standards developer, bringing together all of its member bodies and their experts to developed relevant standards via a well established consensus processes. Both National and ISO standards support each other and there are examples of national standards being the seed for international standardization and consensus building across the globe.
Said Erika Harms CEO of the Tourism Sustainability Council: “We are very aware of this process and have been in contact with the organizers. It has a comprehensive approach to the event management component. While I have not personally reviewed the criteria it is an important step forward, particularly in the US.
It is expected that the standard will increase transparency through the event management industry. ISO 20121 is expected to be finalized in 2012 to coincide with the London Olympics.
Valere Tjolle
Source Maria Lemos
Valere
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