-The Viparis group has obtained ISO 20121 certification for all ten venues and all its business activities.
-Viparis is the first global player in the events sector to obtain this demanding certification for all its venues and operations.
-This is a significant achievement for the Group and constitutes a distinct competitive advantage, which will improve the visibility of its offer and allow it to further improve its business practices.
Viparis launched the ISO 20121 certification process in 2013, as part of its pioneering and proactive CSR policy. Viparis is acutely aware of its position as a lead player in the sector, welcoming more than 9 million visitors to its venues every year; sustainable development is one of its core values and has always formed a key part of its strategy.
An ambitious group-wide application – three key challenges
ISO 20121 certification was awarded by Bureau Veritas following an audit which was conducted between 9 and 16 October 2014. The conclusion of an 18 month process, its scope was ambitious: all 10 venues managed by the Group were audited, as were all its activities.
Viparis has a common, structured management system which is consistent with the main international principles: due diligence, diversity and inclusion, integrity and transparency.
Viparis implements a concrete CSR policy organised around three key challenges, corresponding to the Group’s three main business areas:
· Property management > improving the energy efficiency of our buildings;
· Space rental and operational event management > developing a responsible purchasing policy;
· Visitor management > promoting responsible behaviour by all visitors.
Renaud Hamaide, Viparis’ CEO, explains: “in 2013 I decided to add an extra dimension to our CSR policy in the form of ISO 20121 certification, as this is the international benchmark standard in our sector. This demanding standard raises the visibility of our CSR policy for our stakeholders and also enables us to improve our current programmes.”
ISO 20121: an international standard for sustainable events
ISO 20121 was developed by event industry specialists and its objective is the implementation of a CSR management system throughout the industry, at all levels. It is recognised worldwide and is symbolised by the example of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
