FREE BUSINESS FORUM TO HELP BUSINESSES ACROSS THE CAPITAL BOOST EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Posted by Louise Mapp [25 May 2010] | Category: Event release | Business Press Releases

BSI is warning that organisations without sustainable and environmentally friendly practices risk losing out to more resource efficient competitors

The London Development Agency (LDA), backed by Ł300m funding from the Mayor and the European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) programme, is urging hundreds of businesses in London to go green (1). The LDA is offering funding and consultancy services to organisations, helping them reduce costs, manage their carbon footprint and reduce their environmental impact in aid of increasing sustainability and efficiency in the capital.

In line with this initiative BSI announces a free regional business forum that will take place at The London Hilton Metropole Hotel on 10 June 2010. The event will provide organisations with an insight into how they can build a more sustainable business by implementing management systems.

Andrew Morris, Business Development Director at BSI explains why sustainable development is of such high importance, “We agree with the London Development Agency that successful businesses will be those that balance good environmental and social housekeeping so they can protect their reputation, mitigate the risks, improve profitability and produce better returns on investment.”

“Management system standards are an ideal way for organisations to do this since they offer a framework that can be tested and checked by independent auditors to ensure that the business is actually managing these issues effectively.”

The agenda for the day includes information about new standards such as the highly topical standard for energy management, BS EN 16001, and case study presentations from organisations that have benefited from some of the main standards such as ISO 9001 for quality and ISO 14001 for environmental management. The event is also an ideal platform for business networking opportunities.

An optional breakfast briefing focuses on how smaller businesses can manage and mitigate supply chain compliance risks, improve and share sustainable supply chain practices; and respond more proactively to external pressures.

“We have seen action from sustainable development already leading to tangible gains including health and employment benefits and efficiency savings. The Government is also increasingly adopting regulatory measures that businesses must comply to. We have received excellent feedback from previous Regional Business Forums, and we hope businesses can learn about the benefits of implementing sustainable working practices at the forthcoming London event,” concludes Morris.

The event is being held on Thursday 10 June 2010 at The Hilton Metropole, London. To register for this free event, simply visit www.bsigroup.co.uk/forum10 where you can sign up to any or all of the forums for the coming year.

-ENDS-

About BSI

BSI is a global independent business services organisation that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to over 80,000 customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world’s first national standards body, BSI has over 2,400 staff operating in over 120 countries through more than 50 global offices. BSI’s key offerings are:

• The development and sale of private, national and international standards and supporting information that promote and share best practice
• Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification in all critical areas of management disciplines
• Product testing and certification of services and products including Kitemark®, one of the one of the world’s most recognised quality symbols
• Certification of high-risk, complex medical devices
• Performance management software solutions
• Training services in support of standards implementation and business best practice.

For further information please visit www.bsigroup.co.uk

1) South London business goes green with help from Mayor – 13 January 2010