Standardization News

A collection of eight new ASTM International standards will provide meeting and event planners and their suppliers with specific guidelines and performance measurements for creating environmentally sustainable or "green" events.The standards have been in development since 2007, when Subcommittee E60.02 on Hospitality, part of ASTM International Committee E60 on Sustainability, partnered with the Convention Industry Council through its Accepted Practices Exchange initiative to address the tremendous need for uniform standards that measure environmental performance in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. APEX promotes the development of industry-wide accepted practices to enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings industry."This is a major accomplishment representing collaboration among ASTM International, the Green Meetings Industry Council, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and hundreds of volunteers across North America and Europe," says Sue Tinnish, Ph.D., chairman of Subcommittee E60.02. "Sustainability is a strategic concern for planners, suppliers and the organizations they represent."

The approved standards cover the evaluation and selection of the following topics as they relate to sustainable meetings, events, trade shows and conferences:

• E2741, Specification for Evaluation and Selection of Destinations for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows and Conferences.

• E2742, Specification for Evaluation and Selection of Exhibits for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences.

• E2743, Specification for Evaluation and Selection of Transportation for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences.

• E2745, Specification for Evaluation and Selection of Audio Visual (AV) and Production for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences.

• E2746, Specification for Evaluation and Selection of Communication and Marketing Materials for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences.

• E2747, Specification for Evaluation and Selection of Onsite Offices for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences.

• E2773, Specification for Evaluation and Selection of Food and Beverage for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences.

• E2774, Specification for Evaluation and Selection of Venues for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences.

A ninth standard (WK22056, Guide for Standard Practice for the Evaluation and Selection of Hotel and Meeting Accommodations Related to Meetings, Events, Conferences, Conventions and Trade Shows) is still under development and will be available at a later date. To gain more information, including the scopes of the standards, visit the E60.02 page on ASTM's website. "The level of specificity required and accountability of both the planner and supplier that is built into these standards is unprecedented. The standards provide planners and suppliers a path to jointly support more environmentally sustainable meetings," says Tinnish. To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585).

CONTACT Technical Information: Sue Tinnish, Kendall College • Chicago, Ill. • Phone: 847-394-9857 | ASTM Staff: Stephen Mawn • Phone: 610-832-9726 | Upcoming Meeting: April 17-19 • April Committee Week • Phoenix, Ariz.