BS 8901

What is it and what does it mean?

BS 8901 is the first sector-specific standard for the events industry. It's been created to help the industry manage and develop the environmental, financial and social risks that can impact all aspects of event management. These can include: Venue selection Supplier and partnership selection Operating procedures linked to hosting the event Transportation policies Post event 'end of life' issues such as waste collection, recycling and re-use of materials It can be seen as a ‘road map’ for organisers, service partners and suppliers outlining ideas and offering guidance on how to make their events more sustainable.

Groundbreaking

BS 8901 is the first industry-specific sustainable event management system and resulted in one of the widest stakeholder engagement programmes the British Standards Institute has ever conducted.

The draft of the standard was even circulated for public consultation resulting in over 300 written comments.

Due to EC&O Venues' reputation for leading the way in recycling and sustainability initiatives, the business was asked to take part in the trial during August and September 2007.

After successful completion, it was launched to the press and rest of the industry in November 2007.

Click here to download the British Standards Case Study

What was involved?

Phase 1 – Drafting 

EC&O Venues wrote a Sustainable Development Policy and identified its key stakeholder groups, asking them for their comments and feedback.

This included all EC&O customers, local residents, event organisers, service partners and suppliers and the local authorities – Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea councils.

Phase 2 – Trialling at Olympia

Having received feedback on the policy, key objectives were set for the trial and a plan for ongoing measurement was developed. The standard required the venue to look at the role it plays in hosting events.

As the supplier of ‘space’ we are able to set sustainable targets with regards to energy, water, catering and waste collection. However when organisers host an event with us, their use of the space becomes their responsibility – therefore raising awareness of the standard becomes an imperative.

Raising awareness

Sustainability is now a key factor when making first contact with organisers. When a contract is issued, EC&O’s sustainability opportunities are highlighted.

EC&O’s sustainability advisor is introduced as the main point of contact offering help and ideas to organisers who wish to make their event more sustainable.

We cannot force our organisers to implement our sustainability policy but it is very important to ensure the organisers know the sustainability opportunities available should they wish to pursue them.

Phase 3 – Implementing the standard / sustainability training for EC&O staff

We are now in the implementation stage and this involves making sure stakeholders and EC&O Venues' staff are aware of BS 8901 and what it means to EC&O going forward.

All event and duty managers have been trained in the global issues regarding sustainability.

Certification

EC&O Venues is taking part in a pilot certification scheme and hopes to be fully compliant and certified to BS 8901 at the end of 2008.

BS 8901 – The outcome and the future

Since the launch of BS 8901 many of our new clients are booking our venues for their events due to our sustainability credentials.

Furthermore we are investing in an online tool that will guide them through the standard in a manageable and straightforward way.

See what we do with waste and recycling here

For the full story, and much more on our policies and projects, download our Social, Ethical and Environmental Report for 2007/8 here.