RenewableUK achieves double win with ISO certifications for Quality and Sustainable Event Management

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28 July 2023

RenewableUK has achieved two significant milestones in our commitment to excellence and quality: ISO 9001 certification, a globally recognised standard for quality management systems, and ISO 20121 for Event Sustainability Management.

RenewableUK’s CEO, Dan McGrail, said of the achievements: “We are delighted to have successfully achieved both an ISO 9001 and ISO 20121 certification. As the UK aims to be a world leader in renewable energy and a just transition, it is right that we lead by example, ensuring that our operations align with international best practices and adhere to stringent quality standards. We believe that these achievements reflect RenewableUK's ongoing dedication to excellence, quality, and sustainability."

ISO 9001: Ensuring quality management

As the international standard for quality management systems (QMS), ISO 9001 is the most widely used QMS, with more than one million ISO 9001 certificates issued worldwide. ISO 9001 is the principal management system standard, which specifies the requirements for the formulation and maintenance of a QMS and forms the High-level structure on which other standards are based. ISO 9001 focuses on the following areas:

• Customer focus


• Process approach


• Continual improvement


• Evidence-based decision making


• Involvement of people

ISO 20121: Pioneering sustainable event management

By integrating ISO 20121 into our ISO 9001 management system, we are reaffirming RenewableUK's commitment to sustainability and responsible event management. We recognise the importance of conducting our operations in a manner that aligns with the principles of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. By adopting ISO 20121, we strive to contribute to a more sustainable future while delivering exceptional experiences for our stakeholders.

RenewableUK’s COO, Garth Halliday, said: “We are integrating sustainability practices throughout the entire event lifecycle, from planning to post-event activities. We look forward to engaging with our suppliers, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees demonstrating our commitment to sustainability.”

The key areas addressed by ISO 20121 are:

• Stakeholder engagement


• Sustainability policy


• Legal and compliance considerations


• Resource management


• Impact assessment


• Legacy planning

Partnering with Ley Hill Solutions

Supported by Ley Hill Solutions, RenewableUK's journey towards ISO certification has resulted in the establishment of a single management system that is fully integrated into its everyday operations, creating a focus on continuous improvement throughout the organisation.

Ley Hill Solutions’ Managing Director, Graham Hull, said: "Both standards play essential roles in promoting efficiency, customer satisfaction, and responsible business practices. We are proud to have worked with RenewableUK to help implement an integrated management system that will allow other standards to be added if desired in the future. RUK’s commitment and total focus on achieving these standards made them a pleasure to work with and the recognition is well deserved."

Comment from Global Certification body, NQA

NQA President Kevin Beard said: “We congratulate RenewableUK on achieving both ISO 9001 and ISO 20121. Their success demonstrates a strong and credible management system, alongside a clear commitment to driving sustainability improvements through accountability and action. We look forward to seeing what doors open next for RenewableUK, and how their certifications help along the way.”

Thanking our supporters and suppliers

We would like to thank Ley Hill Solutions, ExCeL London, Global Exhibition Services (GES), JL Group (JLL), Inside Events, the RenewableUK team, our members, and stakeholders for their support. Your encouragement and collaboration have enabled us to drive change at RenewableUK, and we are excited about the positive impact these certifications will have on our organisation and the industry. We would forward to working together on a greener and more sustainable future.