ABNT, BSI Propose Sustainable Event Management Standard to ISO
June 20, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
The Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) and the British Standards Institution (BSI) submitted a joint proposal to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for a new ISO standard on sustainability in event management.
The proposal suggests the development of a standard that will establish, implement, maintain and improve sustainability management systems for events, according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which is the U.S. member body to ISO.
According to ANSI, guidelines in the proposed standard will enable those involved in event management to minimize and manage environmental, financial and social impacts linked to several issues including:
- Venue selection.
- Operating procedures.
- Supply chain management.
- Procurement.
- Employment.
- Communications.
- Transport.
- Issues linked to post-event management.
The standard could be used by any organization or individual involved in the management of events, enabling these parties to publicly demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, according to ANSI.
Companies that are still developing their systems can follow the guidelines as well to assure sustainable practices.
According to ANSI, the standard would enable self-assurance of conformity with its stated sustainability policy and allow demonstration of conformity to assessors.
This proposal is for a new ISO management system standard; accordingly, an ISO Guide 72 Justification Study for the proposal is available from ANSI.
A draft standard that will serve as the basis for the proposed work is also available.
Source: American National Standards Institute (ANSI).