After the first tranche of certification received last May during the first day of the event, Made in Steel obtains the prestigious ISO 20121:2012 certification for the sustainable design and management of the 2023 edition.

ISO 20121:2012 sets internationally recognised parameters and being certified for the sustainability of the event is synonymous with trustworthyness. It is an objective recognition, attained so far by few trade fair organisers, that certifies that the entire planning and organising process of an event complies with the standard.

"The certification issued by RINA for the sustainable design and management of Made in Steel 2023  fills us with satisfaction and encourages us to continue in this direction. For us this is not the final goal, but a starting point towards continuous improvement and awareness, also with regard to the exhibitors and all visitors to the event. We are fully aware that the organisation of an international trade fair can make responsible and sustainable choices, which are also fundamental for safeguarding the environment, and we want to do our part," says Francesca Morandi, Made in Steel Content Manager.

For the X EDITION we decided to engage in a process of analysis and improvement of Made in Steel organisational dynamics, with the aim of making the International Conference & Exhibition a responsible and sustainable event. For this reason we have drafted our Sustainability Policy, a document that summarises our commitment to the principles of stewardship, inclusiveness, integrity and transparency suggested by UNI EN ISO 20121:2012.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme - UNEP 2009, an event is sustainable if it is 'designed, planned and implemented in a way that minimises its negative impact on the environment and leaves a positive legacy to the hosting community'. With this in mind, we have implemented a sustainable event management system compliant with the standard in order to have a more responsible approach to the environment and the stakeholders, and to better manage the environmental, social and economic risks and opportunities associated with our event. At the same time, the aim is also to raise exhibitors' and visitors' awareness of sustainability issues, setting a concrete example and providing stimuli for a more sustainable participation in our event.

The main aspects we focused on in the 2023 edition were:

• communication of the event's Sustainability Policy and raising the awareness of our stakeholders with regard to the issues addressed
• promotion of sustainable mobility during the event (carpooling, use of public transport to get to the fair, avoidance of air travel if possible)
• monitoring and reducing waste with appropriate disposal processes (separate waste collection, use of recycled or recyclable materials for the construction of the stand and for communication; restricting the use of promotional gadgets)
• energy consumption monitoring (reduction of consumption through the use of energy from renewable sources, when possible, use of energy-efficient lighting systems);
• dematerialisation of printed communication (online ticketing, event app to consult the exhibitors' list, events programme, etc.; reduction of printed materials and use of recycled paper);
• promotion of inclusiveness through events and conferences addressing the issues of new generations and gender equality;
• promotion of in-house and external training through the provision of a scholarship to a young student through the I.S.E.O. Summer School.

The analysis and monitoring of these parameters allowed us to create a baseline to measure the event's environmental impact. The data collected will be used for improvement and as a starting point for new activities in view of Made in Steel 2025.

ISO 20121:2012 certification of Made in Steel 2023

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