Building Credibility
Globally, the new gold standard for events is green, with world events like the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, as well as rock concerts and tours, all going green and being certified as such.
South Africa is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, with our own locally developed certification system.
EGF Certification is the EGF’s official assessment and recognition system for events that comply with South Africa’s Minimum Standards for Sustainable Events, first published by the EGF in 2017 and refined through national trials.
Why Certification Matters
Unlike basic checklists or self-declared “green” labels, EGF Certification measures how fully an event meets the EGF’s Minimum Standards for Sustainable Events. It provides:
- Verified performance against a fixed benchmark
- Gold, Silver, or Bronze recognition for achieving the Standard
- No certification for events that do not meet minimum requirements
- Clear insights into strengths and improvement areas
- Independent, accredited assessors to ensure fairness and credibility
The result is a transparent, defensible system that avoids greenwashing and rewards genuine sustainability leadership.
How Certification Works
Certification is awarded after an event has taken place, ensuring that all actions and impacts can be measured accurately.
Steps to Certification:
- Plan sustainably: Implement sustainability practices from the start. The EGF strongly recommends appointing a sustainability consultant during planning to maximise your outcome.
- Contact the EGF: Reach out to begin the Certification process.
- Select an Accredited Assessor: Choose an independent assessor from the EGF’s accredited database.
- Event Evaluation: The assessor reviews documentation, evidence, and performance, then submits a full report to the EGF.
- EGF Review & Outcome: The EGF reviews the report and issues your Certification level: Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Not Certified.
The Benefits
For Event Owners:
- Strong reputational credibility
- Demonstrable sustainability achievements
- Potential long-term cost savings
- Enhanced community and stakeholder engagement
For Organisers & PCOs:
- A differentiated, value-adding service
- Evidence-based sustainability reporting
- A competitive edge for tenders and proposals
For the Tourism & Events Sector:
- Clear, consistent national standards
- Increased trust among international buyers
- Reduced risk of greenwashing
- Alignment with national regenerative tourism goals
Who Can Apply?
Any event can pursue EGF Certification, including:
- Conferences and exhibitions
- Corporate meetings and large-scale gatherings
- Public and civic events
- Festivals
- Sporting events
Become an Accredited Assessor
Sustainability professionals can apply to join the EGF’s network of assessors.
Requirements:
- Submission of an application form, which you can download here.
- Portfolio of evidence demonstrating experience
- Completion of official system training with Sustainability Benchmark Solutions
Accredited assessors uphold the integrity of the Certification and support the industry’s transition toward genuine sustainability.
Get Started
Ready to certify your event or become an accredited assessor? We’re here to help. Contact us:
📞 +27 82 891 5883
Watch: The Road To Certification (webinar)
Join Greg McManus—founder of Sustainability Benchmark Solutions (SBS) and co-developer of both the EGF Minimum Standards for Sustainable Events and EGF Certification label—in this webinar, as he unpacks the full EGF Certification journey, from applying the standards to achieving certification.