Double CSR certification coup for DRP Group
08/02/2010 by Ian Whiteling, Joint Editor in Chief
A UK-based events agency has become in first in the world to achieve accredited certification against the combined ISO 14001 (International Standard in Environmental Management) and BS 8901 (the British Standard for a Sustainable Event Management System).
DRP Group has worked closely with environmental events experts EcoEvents to gain certification after just six months of reviewing, developing and installing its environmental policies and procedures. The events agency reported that many clients are demanding hard evidence to back up environmental claims made by potential suppliers. As a result, it is confident that the certifications will lead to increased tender opportunities with new clients, and stronger relationships with current clients, which, in turn, will be able to communicate with confidence that the environmental impact of their events are being reduced.
“The quality of environmental management within a company is seen as one of biggest indicators of the quality of the management in general,” said Sam Wilson, director at EcoEvents.
“Managing environmental and social impact is an essential component of effective event management. This is good business practice first and foremost – if a business is not sustainable it has a limited life.”
DRP Group’s success in achieving these certifications sends out a message that positive change in the events, meetings and conferences industry is achievable with sufficient dedication.
“Without a doubt, sustainability is one of the most important challenges our industry faces,” said the company’s managing director Dale Parmenter.
"As the recession comes to an end and businesses begin to focus on the bigger picture again, sustainability will not only start to become as important as Health and Safety, but it will also get to the stage where businesses will need to account for their environmental impacts in much the same way as they are required to meet their fiscal responsibilities.
“Above all, we as an industry have a moral obligation to reduce any damaging effects to the environment our operations may cause. This certification is great news for the future of the DRP Group.”















