Our climate is changing with potentially substantial implications for governments and industries. The events industry is no exception. Anyone involved in organising and managing events needs to understand these trends, the implications on their businesses and then implement strategies to enable their business to respond in a more sustainable way.
BS 8901 has been developed specifically for the events industry with a purpose of helping the industry to operate in a more sustainable manner. The standard defines the requirements for a sustainability event management system to ensure an enduring and balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress relating to events.
It requires organisations to identify and understand the effects that their activities have on the environment, on society and on the economy both within the organisation and the wider economy and put measures in place to minimise the negative effects.
BS 8901 shares many of the common management principles of other management system standards such as ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and BS OHSAS 18001 (Health and Safety Management) including the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach.
Using BS 8901 to help improve the sustainability of your events will give you the following benefits:
• A clear direction understood by all relevant parties through the development and sharing of a Sustainability Policy.
• Fewer complaints through better engagement with key stakeholders.
• Reduced risk of reputation damage through better management of suppliers.
• Reduced operating costs, waste management costs and carbon emissions and improved resource efficiency of the entire event supply chain.
• Improved process efficiencies through process mapping.
1 – ENQUIRY
Initial telephone followed by information pack containing costs, assessment process and details of commitment scheme.
3 – ASSESSOR CONTACT
Initial agreement/discussion, agree onsite dates/timescales.
4 – STAGE 1 ASSESSMENT
always held at your premises. The Stage 1 aims to establish that your occupational management system meets the requirements on ISO 8901. This also includes a detailed review of the site and adjoining areas. We are also looking at the related processes taking place. The assessor will feedback findings throughout the assessment and leave a detailed report that clearly identifies any gaps that need to be addressed.
5 – ANY GAPS IDENTIFIED ARE ADDRESSED AT THIS STAGE BEFORE THE STAGE 2 ASSESSMENTS.
The Assessor develops for the Stags 2 assessment plan and forwards to you prior to the assessment.
2 – COMMITMENT
Welcome pack, commitment certificate & initial contact.
6 – STAGE 2 ASSESSMENT
Carried out onsite – The Stage 2 Assessment verifies that you are working to the occupational management system and you are meeting the requirements of ISO 8901. We will be assessing your onsite practices and the records that support your activities.
7 – FINAL VERIFICATION
Your application is submitted to an external panel for approval. Certification process: Approved application receive: Award Letter, Certificate, CD ROM containing the Certification Marks Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire
8 – ANNUAL SURVEILLANCE
All organisations certified for ISO 8901 are required to undergo annual surveillance visits. The assessor will agree the date with you at the end of your stage 2 assessment. We will remind you 1 month prior to that visit. The assessor will also contact before the onsite visit. We will notify you of ongoing communication & invite you to events and updates NB Organisations that do not meet the requirement of ISO 8901 during the Stage 2 Assessment are required to have a revisit to verify the gaps have been addresses.
