CSA STANDARDS ANNOUNCES NEW STANDARD FOR MANAGING SUSTAINABLE EVENTS BASED ON
VANCOUVER OLYMPIC GUIDELINES

TORONTO, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - CSA Standards, a leading standards-based solutions organization, today officially announces the availability of a new standard for use by event organizers seeking to plan and execute sustainable events. The new CSA Z2010-10 Requirements and guidance for organizers of sustainable events standard integrates the management and sustainability practices recommended by a number of sources into a practical application for a wide variety of cultural, business, and sporting events and festivals.

The standard was built on the work of The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and the VANOC Sustainability Management and Reporting System (SMRS) and the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology's (AISTS) Sustainable Sport and Event Toolkit - a collaboration with VANOC.

"Implementing this standard will help to make an event more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable in an ethical and transparent manner," says Bonnie Rose, President, CSA Standards. "CSA is committed to helping preserve the environment and building on the important work of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. By using those events as an example for others to emulate when organizing events with the health of the environment and society in mind, CSA is helping to ensure the legacy of the Games lives on through this standard."

Where all applicable requirements specified in the standard are implemented, event organizers may use conformance to support public claims of greater sustainability. A sustainable event entails incorporating considerations of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of hosting an event into all areas of event planning and management.

"Sustainable development is broad and means different things to different people. With Z2010, emphasis is placed on an integrated approach that addresses stakeholders' interests, regulatory requirements as well as environmental, social and economic impacts and opportunities throughout the life-cycle of an event," says Ann Duffy, Technical Committee Chair and former Corporate Sustainability Officer, VANOC. "By minimizing negative impacts on the environment, augmenting the positive benefits, and creating positive legacies for present and future generations, this standard will help event organizers plan and execute events that encompass a common set of principles and the spirit of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games."

When organizing a sustainable event, the overarching goal for an organization is to maximize the value and experience of the event while striving to support a high quality of life, environmental health, and economic prosperity.

The principles of a sustainable event include: ethical behaviour, accountability, and transparency; engagement of the community and local stakeholders; positive benefits for the environment and society; accessible and inclusive setting; safe and secure atmosphere and facilities for spectators, participants, and workers; excellent customer/client experience; and a positive legacy.

The standard's requirements and guidance for leadership, planning, operations, employee and supplier engagement, communications and reporting are particularly relevant for medium and large scale events - though it can be scaled for small event organizers, as well. Z2010 is consistent with international norms of behaviour. In this context, environmental concerns include the natural surroundings in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, and people, as well as their interrelationships. Social and economic concerns include labour practices, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.

The Z2010-10 Requirements and guidance for organizers of sustainable events standard will be sold in PDF only at the introductory rate of $50 to encourage widespread use. It is available for purchase in English at www.shopcsa.ca or by contacting CSA Standards Sales at 800-463-6727.

About CSA Standards
CSA Standards is a leading standards-based solutions organization serving industry, government, consumers and other interested parties in North America and the global marketplace. Focusing on standards and codes development, application products, training, advisory and personnel certification services, the organization aims to enhance public safety, improve quality of life, preserve the environment and facilitate trade. CSA Standards is a division of CSA Group, which also consists of CSA International, which provides testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more information visit www.csa.ca

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For further information:

Marco Ouji
Media Relations Officer
CSA Group
T: 416-747-2615
E: [email protected]