Bid advantage
A recognised credential for hosting and supplying events.
Certification support
ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management
Current edition: ISO 20121:2024
The sustainability management standard for events, venues and event suppliers. It addresses the environmental, social and economic impacts of events, from a single conference to a major sporting tournament.
What the standard covers
Requirements, clause by clause
ISO 20121 helps organisations identify the sustainability issues their events create and manage them through planning, delivery and review.
4
Context
Sustainability issues, interested parties, scope and governing principles.
5
Leadership
Commitment, sustainable development policy, roles.
6
Planning
Issue identification and evaluation, objectives, planning of changes.
7
Support
Resources, competence, awareness, communication, documented information.
8
Operation
Operational planning, supply chain management, event delivery.
9
Performance evaluation
Monitoring, internal audit, management review, post-event review.
10
Improvement
Nonconformity, corrective action and continual improvement.
Clauses 4 to 10 follow the harmonized structure shared with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, so the systems integrate cleanly.
Why organisations implement it
What ISO 20121 delivers
Lower impact
Energy, waste, water and travel impacts reduced.
Social value
Accessibility, local benefit and fair labour considered.
Sponsor confidence
Evidence that partners and sponsors increasingly request.
Supplier alignment
Sustainability expectations passed to the event supply chain.
Lasting learning
Post-event reviews that improve the next event.
How we work
Path to certification
One AEC methodology from first assessment to certificate, delivered by registered lead auditors.
- AssessGap assessment against ISO 20121, scope and roadmap
- DesignProcesses, risk register, policy and documented information
- ImplementProcesses embedded with coaching for process owners
- TrainAwareness for all staff and internal auditor development
- VerifyInternal audit, management review and mock certification audit
- Certify & sustainStage 1 and Stage 2 support, then surveillance readiness
Full implementation
We build the system around a flagship event.
Typically 4 to 6 monthsProgramme rollout
We extend the system across a calendar of events.
Typically 3 to 5 monthsVenue system
We set up a permanent system for a venue that hosts many events.
Typically 4 to 6 months
Who certifies
Independent certification, chosen to fit your market
Your ISO 20121 certificate is issued by an independent certification body accredited by UKAS, DAkkS or an equivalent national accreditation body. AEC prepares you for that audit; the certification decision is theirs.
CB-neutral
We are not tied to one certification body and help you select one your stakeholders recognise.
Audit-ready
Mock certification audit and closed corrective actions before Stage 1 and Stage 2.
No guarantees
We prepare you thoroughly and never promise an outcome only an independent auditor can decide.
Where it applies
ISO 20121 by industry
Government · national and city events
Education · conferences and campus events
Food & beverage · event catering
Transport & logistics · event logistics
Related standards
Questions
ISO 20121 FAQ
Does AEC issue the ISO 20121 certificate?
No. Certificates are issued by independent certification bodies accredited by a national accreditation body. AEC prepares your organisation for that audit.
Can a single event be certified?
The certificate covers your management system, which can be scoped to a specific event, a series of events or a venue.
Is ISO 20121 only about the environment?
No. It covers environmental, social and economic sustainability, including accessibility, community and supply chain issues.
Can ISO 20121 be combined with ISO 14001?
Yes. Both use the harmonized structure, so venues and organisers often run them together.
Start your ISO 20121 programme
Tell us your events, venues and partners. We reply with a proposal covering issue identification, implementation and certification support.
Certification decisions are made by independent, accredited certification bodies. AEC prepares organisations for certification and does not guarantee certification outcomes.