ISO 20121 Certification – Sustainable Event Management Consultancy (SEMS)

• ISO 20121:2012 is aptly named after the London 2012 Olympics having been developed by members of the Olympic Committee Sustainability team, among others in the event management industry.
• Pressure is increasing on Organisations worldwide to integrate sustainability into business models and event management is no different. ISO 20121:2012 is the internationally recognised standard for ensuring best sustainability practices are implemented throughout the planning and delivery of an event management system. 
• As stated on the International Organisation for Standardisation website: “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.”

• The ISO 20121:2012 framework aids all participants in the event supply chain to consider the triple bottom line approach “environmental, economic and social” when planning events for all sizes and sectors. This can apply to caterers, stage set-up, security, lighting etc.

• No, any type or size of organisation involve in the events industry can apply for ISO 20121 certification. 

• Systematic management ensures all identified issues are addressed consistently.
• Process-led approach develops a culture and competence internally and reassures external clients and their attendees.
• Cost and resource savings – monitoring & measuring is a core component of ISO management systems, what is included in analysis and action is reduced leading to lower overheads.
• Reduced carbon emissions through improved energy and waste management.
• Reduced impact on local communities, helps to avoid objections that could lead to closure / prevent opening the event.
• Reputation for corporate responsibility strengthening relationships with stakeholders.
• Competitive advantage: differentiation from competitors and opens new opportunities with companies who are sustainability oriented.
• Ensure social responsibility and financial success.

• Understand the sustainability issues relevant to your business and subsequently implement controls and procedures to minimise / eliminate these impacts. SWOT analysis, risk assessments and stakeholder interests are a good place to start.
• Develop a sustainable events policy, including reference to the four governing principles of sustainability (stewardship, inclusivity, integrity, and transparency).
• Define the scope of your Sustainable Event Management System (SEMS) and the business values.
• Develop SMART Objectives in relation to sustainability, train staff on best practices and evaluate current performance.
• Communicate to staff and suppliers that sustainability is an integral part of the business, ensure top management are committed and provide the resources required.
• Review the system and book a Stage 1 audit with a UKAS accreditation service. This will highlight the areas that need improvement before the Stage 2 Audit where certification is awarded.
• Continually improve processes through internal audits and Management Review of any non-conformities identified.

• Usually, between 3-6 months, but this depends on the size and complexity of the organisation, the resources available and the current ISO management systems in place.

• UKAS is the ‘United Kingdom Accreditation Service,’ recognised by the British Government to assess the competence of auditing bodies that provide certification, testing, inspection, and calibration services. UKAS audits certification bodies: such as ISOQAR, BSI, NQA and QEC to ensure compliance. Many businesses are sold cheaper quotes for ISO standards by certification bodies / consultancies without UKAS accreditation. Please be aware, without UKAS accreditation potential contracts can be lost as when clients realise the EMS is not valid, they may require you to recertify with a UKAS accredited certification body before signing bilateral contracts. For advice/ consultancy contact an ISO provider certified by UKAS.

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• We have developed an online cost calculator on our LinkedIn page, which provides certification consultancy costs, including certification body costs here.
• You can call 01892800476 or email info@avisoconsultancy.co.uk for further information.

• Leadership in sustainability events management is being demonstrated through ISO 20121:2012 certification by many companies. For example, Sustainable Events Ltd, Manchester United, London 2012 Olympics, Earl’s Court, and Olympia.

• Yes, if you already have ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 14001:2015 you are already half-way there as the fundamental procedures and clauses follow the same Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and the Annex SL high-level structure.
• However, ISO 20121:2012 can also act as a stand-alone standard and doesn’t require integration with other ISO management systems.

• No, you don’t. However, it is worth considering the trade-off between the time and cost of organising an internal team required to set up an ISO standard against an external management consultant providing guidance and support to ensure conformity and certification.

• AvISO have an industry-leading reputation for bringing value and no simply ticking boxes in a checklist. With a 100% certification success rate with the UKAS accreditation service, you can be confident that implementation and maintenance of ISO standards will be completed effectively and efficiently
• All our consultants are certified lead auditors and experts in their field for providing a first-class service, with over 15 years' experience in guiding businesses to success.
• We practice what we preach – proudly ISO 9001, 27001 and Cyber Essentials qualified. 
• Our client-focused approach ensures that bespoke management systems are tailored for your business. We assist your employees with compliance to the clauses of the standard and offer an online platform service ISOvA which makes tracking your progress easier. You can view our clients testimonials and case studies here.

• Our expert consultants are always available for help and advice. Regular visits and communication can be arranged together with an internal annual audit program agreed upon as an ongoing AvISO consultancy service.

• The foundation on which to build an integrated management system commonly starts with (ISO 9001:2015) as this will improve customer satisfaction, introduce the organisation to the process-led approach and improve operational effectiveness through internal feedback.
• However, depending upon your industry and clients, speaking to your clients about what they require and contacting consultants like us to give advice on each standard will help identify your best route.

• The ISOva Toolbox is a bespoke online tool designed by AvISO to record your management system data and information. It is used as an integral part of maintaining all aspects of your management system. Designed by leading ISO consultants ISOvAs intuitive User Interface, facilitates easy navigation of your management system and provides a real-time dashboard where you can track progress towards KPIs (key performance indicators), Objectives and Corrective Actions.
• We ensure that your Legal compliance register is up to date, with quarterly updates on regulation and legislation sent from our parent server. 

ISO 20121 is the international standard for Sustainable Event Management. It helps organisations plan and deliver events that minimise environmental harm, promote social inclusion, and support long-term value creation.

Any organisation involved in events — including organisers, venues, caterers, suppliers, sponsors, and broadcasters. Whether you run physical, hybrid, or virtual events, ISO 20121 applies.

It improves reputation, meets regulatory and procurement requirements, supports funding bids, engages stakeholders, and reduces environmental and social risks. It also builds stronger legacy and impact outcomes.

No. It covers social responsibility, economic impact, accessibility, diversity, and ethical considerations — not just carbon or waste.

ISO 20121 does not require carbon neutrality, but it supports emissions measurement, reduction, and voluntary offsetting. This can be integrated with ISO 14064 or Net Zero strategies.

Most projects take 3 to 5 months, depending on your scale, readiness, and existing systems.

Yes. While it is designed to support continuous improvement, it can be used for single events — provided planning, delivery, and review are documented.

Your SEMS will need policies, impact assessments, stakeholder records, KPIs, training logs, audit reports, supplier evaluations, and post-event reviews.

ISO 14001 focuses on environmental management in general. ISO 20121 applies this thinking to events — but also adds stakeholder engagement, accessibility, and legacy requirements.

Yes. ISOvA supports centralised control of sustainability across portfolios — from regional events to international campaigns.