Tecna, the leading provider of modular exhibition stands has been awarded Tier 5 Sustainability Accreditation by ESSA, the Events Services & Suppliers Association – the first exhibition stand builder to be awarded this new highest tier (previously platinum).
“We are delighted to be awarded Tier 5 in recognition of our work over several years to move towards net zero. Due to our modular system and recyclable substrates we can offer fully sustainable exhibition stands and in addition we have been reducing waste in all elements of our business”, outlines James Longley, managing director, Tecna.
ESSA H&S Manager, Josh Taylor commented “Tecna’s attainment of Tier 5 within the ESSA Sustainability Accreditation underscores their exceptional dedication to sustainability. This achievement establishes them as an industry leader in sustainable excellence, showcasing their impressive contributions to a more environmentally conscious future.
To get a Tier 5, they had to meet high standards in 12 different aspects of sustainability management. This means they didn’t just talk the talk; they walked the walk and provided tangible evidence of their dedication to sustainability in areas like energy efficiency, waste reduction, and eco-friendly practices.
Tecna’s accomplishment is a notable milestone and an inspiration for others in the industry.”
Frequently asked questions about the ESSA Sustainability Award
What is the ESSA Sustainability Accreditation? The ESSA Sustainability Accreditation is an independently assessed, points-based annual standard that verifies a company’s sustainability performance across 12 management areas, including carbon footprint calculation, waste management, energy management, sustainable procurement, and staff wellbeing. Companies are scored out of 100 points and awarded one of six tiers depending on the strength of the evidence they provide. It is not a box-ticking exercise; it is a rigorous, evidence-led process that demands measurable progress year on year, covering environmental, social, and governance factors across an entire business operation.
What is ESSA Tier 5, and why does it matter? Tier 5 is the highest level of achievement within the ESSA Sustainability Accreditation framework, reserved for companies that have embedded sustainability into every aspect of how they operate and can demonstrate genuine, measurable real-world impact. It is not awarded for good intentions; it requires independently verified evidence across all 12 sustainability management areas. Tecna has held Tier 5 accreditation every year since 2023, making us the first exhibition stand builder in the UK to achieve it and one of a very small number of companies to have retained it consecutively. You can read more about what that means in practice on our sustainability page.
Who runs the ESSA Sustainability Accreditation? The accreditation is managed by ESSA, the Event Supplier and Services Association, the trade body representing suppliers of goods and services to the UK events industry. ESSA is widely regarded as the authoritative voice on standards, health and safety, and sustainability across the UK exhibitions and events sector. The sustainability accreditation process is independently assessed, meaning the scores awarded are not self-reported; they are verified by external evaluators against documented evidence.
What does the ESSA accreditation process actually involve? Companies submit evidence across all 12 sustainability management areas, including documentation, certifications, carbon reports, and records of practical action. Evaluators then assess the strength of that evidence and award points accordingly. The entire process is completed within ten working days, with the option to submit additional evidence if needed before a final score is set. The process is repeated annually, which means companies must demonstrate continuous improvement rather than simply maintaining a previous standard. Full details are available on the ESSA accreditation page.
How does ESSA Tier 5 accreditation benefit exhibiting brands? When you work with a Tier 5 accredited partner like Tecna, you gain access to independently verified sustainability credentials that can support your own ESG reporting and procurement requirements. Every Tecna stand comes with a carbon footprint report as standard, and our approach to reusable systems, recyclable materials, and responsible logistics means that your exhibition activity carries a measurably lower environmental impact. For brands under pressure to demonstrate responsible supply chain decisions, that matters. Find out more about how we embed sustainability into every project on our sustainability page, or explore our work to see it in action.
Is ESSA Tier 5 the same as ISO 20121 certification? They are different but complementary standards. ISO 20121 is an internationally recognised management system standard for sustainable events, focused on how an organisation plans and manages its sustainability processes. The ESSA Sustainability Accreditation is aligned with ISO standards including ISO 14001 and ISO 20121, but goes further in demanding tangible, scored evidence of performance across 12 specific areas. Tecna holds both: we are ISO 20121 certified and ESSA Tier 5 accredited, independently audited and verified annually. Between the two, they represent the most robust sustainability credentials available to an exhibition stand builder in the UK.
How do I know if my exhibition stand partner takes sustainability seriously? Accreditations are a good starting point, but the right questions go deeper. Ask your supplier whether they can provide a carbon footprint report for your project. Request details on how they handle waste from the build and dismantle process, and what percentage of materials are reusable. Ask whether their sustainability claims are independently verified or self-reported. At Tecna, we recycle 92% of project waste, save an average of 4.7 tonnes of CO₂ per project, and carry both ESSA Tier 5 accreditation and ISO 20121 certification as independent proof of those numbers. Our sustainability page sets out exactly what responsible exhibition delivery looks like in practice, and our Insights service means we can track and report on the environmental impact of your specific project.
Can working with a sustainable exhibition partner support our own ESG commitments? Increasingly, yes. Procurement teams and marketing leaders are under growing pressure to demonstrate that their supply chains reflect their organisation’s ESG values. Choosing an exhibition partner with independently verified sustainability credentials, carbon reporting as a standard deliverable, and a transparent approach to waste and materials gives you documented evidence of responsible decision-making. If you are looking to align your exhibition programme with your wider sustainability objectives, we would be glad to talk through how our approach can support that. Get in touch with the team to start the conversation.
