SINGAPORE — The newly launched MICE Sustainability Certification (MSC) is taking Singapore’s business events industry’s sustainability efforts to the next level, with a multi-pronged program for event suppliers.
Developed by the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (SACEOS), the national trade association for MICE, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and in consultation with members and industry players, the Singapore MSC is open to the entire supply chain: event organizers, stand builders, venues (including hotels with MICE venues), food and beverage caterers, transport operators, freight forwarders, and event technology and audio visual providers.
Companies are certified based on a set of eight criteria: management approach, carbon, waste, energy, water management, social, human resource competency and procurement. There are three tiers of certification: Bronze, which represents commitment and implementation of sustainability targets; Silver, which shows both implementation and establishment of internal sustainability initiatives; and Gold, earned by companies with external sustainability initiatives who must report on energy, water, waste and carbon-related metrics.
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Ultimately, the new initiative is “by the industry, for the industry,” Sukumar Verma, Vice President of Industry and Enterprise, SACEOS, and Managing Director, Informa Markets, said. “We have worked with over 30 MICE industry companies who have contributed to focus groups, the public consultation process and the MSC committee. We have incorporated a lot of views to make this as practical and pragmatic as possible. We have also referred to a range of existing global standards to make sure we are aligned with what’s happening internationally, so that when dealing with international clients, there is an alignment as far as their expectations are concerned about what a sustainability initiative should look like.”
Interested companies must follow a multi-step process that includes developing an audit plan, submitting documents and evidence, and taking corrective action, if needed. The length of the certification process can range from four to 20 weeks, with grant funding available.
The certification program was developed to align with Singapore’s already existing and industry-leading MICE Sustainability Roadmap, which called for the development of a set of sustainability standards and a certification framework for the industry by 2023, followed by certification for 80% of SACEOS members and Singapore’s six MICE venues by the end of 2025.
Reach Sukumar Verma at +65 9732 3941
