When British Standard 8901 was launched by the British Standards Institute (BSI) in it polarised the UK events industry. The green camp heralded the BSI industry standard as a sign the UK was leading the way in sustainable events. However, its detractors claimed it was overly complex and an administrative nightmare for clients.

Fast-forward two years and many of its harshest critics appear to have been silenced. This autumn saw the release of the revised standard – BS8901:2009 – a streamlined version of its predecessor. Gone are the controversial 28 sustainability categories. In their place is a more comprehensive set of guidelines on how to achieve compliance.

However, there is early controversy because planners need to buy the package again, even though it’s a revision of the earlier standard. Andrew Williams, managing director of Seventeen Events says: “I think the amount of money BSI is charging for the standard is out of synch with current economic conditions.

At US$225, smaller organisations will be put off buying BS8901, especially when many have already paid for the earlier version. I think it would be a gesture of goodwill if BSI was to offer some kind of discount, at least to companies that have already bought BS8901.”

MORE ACCESSIBLE
Williams concedes the new version has made the standard more accessible. Indeed, Seventeen Events says clients are increasingly focused on sustainability and more are using its online tool, Eventberry. Schroders uses the tool for larger events which require suppliers, a hotel, dinner and entertainment. Events manager Viki Stapleton comments: “If we’re significantly investing in an event, we should think about what comes out the other end. Sustainability is the way forward and we will see the difference.”

It’s a view shared across the sector, with Greater London Authority head of events Patrick Loy forecasting that all clients will soon include BS8901 in tenders. The London authority refers to BS8901 in its tender documents and awards 10 per cent of points in its tender process to the sustainability performance of contenders, says Loy.

GOOD SUPPORT
This year, the standard has gained some high-profile supporters, with the UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs secretary of state Hilary Benn praising the nation’s events industry for taking the lead in sustainability. “The BSI standard will help people attending events around the country to do the right thing with their waste and businesses will be rewarded for taking the initiative,” she says.

While agencies aren’t being directly encouraged to adopt the standard, many are embracing the tool for their own events. One early adopter, World Events, reinforced its green credentials this year by focusing its annual conference on BS8901 and sustainability.

In addition, Logistik managing director Dirk Mischendahl points to sustainability as one of the key focuses for the agency in 2010. “BS8901 is akin to the industrial revolution in terms of where this industry is going. When the country comes out of the recession, it will be back on top of the agenda.”

REVISED STANDARD
BS8901’s latest adopters are clearly happier with the revised standard. It may not be enshrined in legislation yet, but its future growth around the world looks promising. BSI standards director Mike Low says BS8901 has been submitted to the international organisation for standardization for consideration as a proposed international standard on sustainable events. “Enthusiasm for BS8901 has spread beyond the UK, with organisations throughout the world realizing the benefits of implementation.”

Yasmin Arrigo is editor of Conference & Incentive Travel based in the UK