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ESGlogic
Voluntary framework

ISO 20121 Certification

ISO 20121 is the international standard for event sustainability management systems. ESGlogic supports you in achieving certification, with an approach tailored to your organisation, your sector and your specific needs.

Start your certification process

What is ISO 20121?

ISO 20121 is the international standard for event sustainability management systems, helping you to:

  • Minimise negative environmental, social and economic impacts
  • Promote sustainable practices throughout the supply chain
  • Leave a positive legacy for the community and stakeholders
  • Ensure an exemplary and innovative organisation

To help businesses achieve ISO 20121 certification, ESGlogic offers an approach fully tailored to your organisation, your sector and your specific needs.

Start your certification process
Eco-responsible event organised according to ISO 20121

The objectives of ISO 20121

  • Waste reduction : minimise waste production and optimise recycling
  • Resource optimisation : efficient use of energy, water and materials
  • Social responsibility : promote inclusion, equity and stakeholder wellbeing
  • Environmental impact : reduce carbon footprint and ecological impact
  • Continuous improvement : ongoing assessment and improvement of sustainable practices

Is your organisation concerned?

Your organisation could consider ISO 20121 certification if:

You organise or manage events, whether one-off or recurring, such as conferences, trade shows, festivals, seminars, sporting or cultural events

Your clients, partners or institutions expect concrete evidence of responsible event management

You respond to public or private tenders requiring a sustainable event approach

Your activity involves a reception venue, a public-facing site, or an event-related service such as catering, logistics, stands or audiovisual production

Organisations concerned range from event agencies to local authorities, associations and reception venues. There is no size or sector requirement, the standard applies to any organisation involved in designing, organising or delivering events.

Our structured approach

Phase 1: Diagnostic and scoping

Before starting the process, we assess:

  • Your level of maturity against the standard's requirements
  • What still needs to be implemented to achieve certification
  • Kick-off meeting, training on the standard and project scoping

Objective: get a complete overview and start off on the right track.

Phase 2: Action plan

We define:

  • The priority actions needed to meet the standard's requirements
  • The responsibilities and implementation timeline
  • The resources required, on both your side and ESGlogic's

Objective: have a clear, validated roadmap before deployment.

Phase 3: Operational deployment

We translate the action plan into concrete initiatives:

  • Raising awareness and training teams on the standard's requirements
  • Drafting the required formal documentation, procedures, policies and records
  • Implementing the necessary actions, processes and tools on the ground

Objective: meet all the standard's requirements ahead of certification.

Phase 4: Audit and certification

We support you through to official certification:

  • Preparation for the internal audit, carried out by an ESGlogic partner, and correction of non-conformities
  • External audit and certification, issued by a recognised third-party body

Objective: achieve formal recognition and public credibility.

Benefits for your organisation

Provides a lasting structure for your events and your organisation's approach

Strengthens credibility with clients, partners and stakeholders

Meets the growing requirements of public and private tenders

Reduces operational, social and environmental risks

Generates real savings through better management of resources, waste, energy, transport and purchasing

Anticipates the tightening of the European regulatory framework on ESG matters

Strengthens your organisation's standing in a rapidly evolving event industry

Let us discuss the benefits tailored to your business!
ESGlogic workshop on responsible event management

Frequently asked questions

Yes. It applies to events of any size and type, from a local seminar to an international event such as the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup or a climate COP.

No. The standard does not impose fixed performance criteria. It imposes a working method, it is up to you to identify your impacts and set your own improvement targets.

Any player in the event value chain, organisers, agencies, reception venues, service providers, caterers, as well as local authorities and associations organising public events.

An environmental label often assesses a single event on criteria such as recycling or catering. ISO 20121 assesses the entire management system of the organisation behind the event, from purchasing policy to human resources management.
Estelle Methens, ESG Consultant, Head of ESG Policy

Estelle Methens

ESG Consultant, Head of ESG Policy

Ready to structure the responsible approach to your events?

Estelle will guide you!

Start your certification process