BS 8901 Pilot implementation programme finishes on a high

8th April 2009

The Sustainable Events Group (SEG) have delivered the final workshop in their groundbreaking BS 8901 Sustainable Event Management programme, bringing to a close the first major implementation of the new standard. Ten organisations from across the industry participated in the programme which began in July of last year.  David Stubbs, Head of Environment and Sustainability for LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympics Games) spoke congratulating the participants on their vision in embracing the standard. He went on to say that following the launch of the LOCOG Sustainability Sourcing Code, LOCOG will be seeking to be compliant with BS 8901 and will be actively encouraging suppliers to do the same.

Anne Hayes, Head of Market Development at BSI British Standards, who is responsible for the roll out of BS 8901, was also in attendance and expressed thanks to the participating organisations for their commitment and leadership in taking up the standard and for the feedback that they had provided.   “We focussed the programme on turning BS 8901 into a reality for all the organisations taking part”, said Tim Sunderland from SEG. “By doing this we could understand what worked well and what didn’t.  The learning from our programme is being used by BSI to improve the standard with the intention of launching a new amended version early in 2009”.

The participant organisations were reassured by Patrick Loy, Head of Events at the Greater London Authority (GLA), who explained that BS 8901 is referenced in GLA tender documents and that a hefty 10 per cent of points awarded in the tender process for GLA events is based upon sustainability performance. He went on to say that he felt it was only a matter of time until all major event clients referred to BS 8901 within their tender documents as it presented a measurable benchmark of competency and commitment to sustainability in the event industry.

The organisations involved in the programme including ExCel London, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Marylebone Cricket Club (Lord’s Cricket Ground), Limelight Sports, 15 Hatfields, Eden Catering and innovision are all on their way to third party certification. Hugh Walker of Eden Caterers welcomed the fact that third party certification was now available as it means that organisations really need to demonstrate that they are taking BS 8901 seriously. Hugh went on to say “Through the SEG programme we now understand what BS 8901 requires and the effort needed to achieve compliance.  Third party certification will establish the credibility of those organisations that have really made the extra effort and are genuinely working to BS 8901”.

The Sustainable Events Group is building on the success of this pilot programme and has commenced a second programme already with a third due to commence on 18th  March as well as a half day seminar on 26th of February for those who wish to know more about BS 8901 and whether it is applicable to their organisation.  The Sustainable Events Group would be please to hear from anyone interested in attending either of these – see www.thesustainableeventsgroup.com for more information.

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