Fespa has achieved ISO 20121:2012 certification for sustainable event management, solidifying its commitment to implement environmental best practices in its own operations, minimise the environmental impact of its events, increase positive community engagement with regard to sustainable manufacturing practices, and motivate print businesses to take concrete steps towards more sustainable operation. Fespa’s 2025 events in Berlin will be the first in the speciality print sector to be run under the certification.

To achieve the certification, Fespa implemented policies and procedures to address key, measurable objectives, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, carbon emissions reduction and stakeholder engagement. These activities and the system were independently audited and verified by the British Standards Institute (BSI) certified awarding body under certificate number SEMS 799937.

Fespa has also measured its carbon footprint at its UK-based headquarters for three consecutive years, without a regulatory obligation, and is installing solar panels to generate renewable energy.

CEO Neil Felton said: “We are thrilled to have achieved the ISO 20121:2012 certification, which proves our dedication to delivering environmentally responsible events and championing the need for the sectors we represent to make continued progress on sustainability. Our team recognises the importance of operating our events in a manner that delivers exceptional value to our attendees and exhibitors, while also prioritising environmental responsibility and community engagement. We look forward to delivering our 2025 events in accordance with the certified sustainable events management system, and we hope our example inspires our community to look at ways of optimising their sustainability performance.”

The following commitments form the basis of Fespa’s sustainability objectives, as well as targets for events within the scope of the certification:

Planning: recognising that sustainability must play a key part in the process and should be considered throughout the decision-making activities in the event management cycle.

Environmental: seeking to prevent negative impacts such as pollution by giving purchasing preference to products and services that have sound sustainable credentials, as well as implementing reduce, reuse, recycle.

Transportation: reducing, wherever possible, the need for transportation (of sourced products) or seeking to reduce the length of the journey.

Packaging: committing to the reduction and elimination of packaging wherever possible, seeking to use reusable or recycled packaging where it is required.

Product criteria: researching the origins and manufacturing processes of key products to identify any process, ingredient or part which has a negative environmental impact, in order to assess the necessity, find an alternative and ensure that it can be disposed of within sustainability guidelines.

Purchasing criteria: committing to responsible, sustainable procurement practices and ensuring that all employees, whether permanent or freelance, are aware of and abide by specified purchasing criteria.

Social: committing to only collaborating with companies that share Fespa’s values with regard to the treatment of their workforce. Also, considering the local community in the planning and implementation of any event.

Energy: committing to improving energy use, consumption and efficiency and, whenever possible, using energy from renewable sources.

Hazardous products: committing to avoiding the use of hazardous products wherever possible. Where this is unavoidable, following the guidelines laid out in the UK COSHH regulations and ensuring that use of hazardous products is monitored and used within a controlled environment.

Occupational health and safety: taking a responsible attitude to all aspects of occupational health and safety.

These commitments are also aligned with Fespa’s principles and values – aspiration with stewardship, authenticity with integrity, authority, inclusivity and transparency.

Fespa, and its member associations, continues to guide and encourage members of its community with its Sustainability Guides (including three new guides covering sustainability certification schemes, carbon calculation, and a glossary of sustainability terms), its Sustainability Spotlight live event feature, providing speakers for seminars and conferences that have already benefitted more than a third of its member associations events, and by openly sharing insightful, educational and inspirational content on this topic online.