AGF Certification ASSESSMENT

ARENA T&CS

APPLICATIONS

Upon AGF receipt of application, the Greener Arena self-assessment form will be provided for completion by the arena. All data provided by the Applicant must be truthful and accurate to the best of their knowledge. AGF certification depends upon the accuracy of the information provided for the provision of a consistent and appropriate certification. AGF reserves the right to revoke or refuse to grant certification should it transpire that misleading evidence has been deliberately provided.

It is necessary to complete the self-assessment form at least 4 weeks prior to the AGF assessors site visits, in order to be eligible for the certification. Failure to submit the self-assessment prior to the   site visits could mean a delay in the completion of the certification and potentially also the need to cover any travel expenses already incurred by the assessors, if not possible to reschedule or reclaim.

Supporting evidence must also be submitted within the timeframe agreed with AGF, otherwise it will not be included in the years’ assessment. Any late evidence can instead be considered in the subsequent years’ assessment.


ASSESSMENTS

Each AGF certification is granted annually. It is necessary to carry out an assessment each year to receive the subsequent annual certification. There are three pathways to Greener Arena certification, one of which is compulsory in the first year and optional subsequently. The other two are optional however, one option must be chosen in order to maintain an certification with AGF.

YEAR 1 PATHWAYS:

Option 1: The full AGF Certification Assessment

  • Use of AGF self assessment template and materials.

  • Two site visits by 2 AGF assessors, including meeting with relevant contractors.

  • Arena to provide supporting evidence (e.g. waste fractions and annual quantities, utilities, such as annual energy consumption, water volumes if applicable, spectator / participant survey data...) for assessor review.

  • Certification grade and Certification based on audit (Greener Arena Certification)

  • If certified, inclusion in press and socials relating to AGF certified organisations and automatic applicant entry to the International AGF Awards.

  • Become members of AGF, and join the community meetings plus discounts to AGF events such as GEI.

Option 2: Option 1 + Feedback Report 

  • All of Option 1 above plus...

  • Feedback report giving score across all areas assessed, with actions and observations from assessors, and recommendations in each section for improvements.

Option 3: Option 2 + Carbon Footprint Analysis Analysis

  • All of Option 2 above plus ...

  • Carbon Footprint Analysis methodology and report, setting Benchmarks and Key Performance Indicators to identify key areas for action and targets for annual improvements.

  • Support with templates for data gathering (e.g transport surveys)

  • Recommendations for removals and net zero strategy.


YEAR 2 PATHWAYS:

  • Option 1: Basic renewal – maintain Year 1 certification level, receive Review Report.

  • Option 2: Full assessment (same options as Year 1) – opportunity to improve certification level.

NOTE: Pricing for Year 2 basic renewals are lower cost than full audit.

In Year 2 a Carbon Footprint Analysis can be carried out by the AGF Carbon Analysts separate to the AGF assessment, or it can be combined with the Basic Renewal Option. 

Please enquire for further information on the different combinations of Options available.


ASSESSOR EXPENSES

Where applicable, any travel and accommodation costs for assessors must be covered and reimbursed by the Applicant. AGF will use reasonable efforts to ensure these costs will be kept to a minimum and must be agreed with the Applicant prior to the site visits.

AGF requests that where applicable; meals are provided for assessors if they are within the  for more than 6 hours.

Generally, two AGF assessors will visit an arena, and AGF will seek to source local assessors wherever possible to reduce costs and emissions.

PAYMENT TERMS

To participate in the AGF Greener Arena certification we will require 100% payment of fees upfront by the arena, within 30 days of invoice or 21 days prior to the site visit date, whichever is sooner.

Assessor’s expenses are submitted directly to the arena by the assessor along with receipts, unless alternative arrangements are made with AGF in advance.

VAT is chargeable in addition on UK application fees, and also upon EU application fees unless a valid VAT number is provided.

CANCELLATIONS 

There is a cooling off period of 14 days. If the arena cancels their application within this period there is a £150 administration fee and the remaining fee will be cancelled. 

After 14 days the arena will be liable for 100% of the certification fee.


LATE CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations made more than 8 weeks prior to the event - subject to a £75 admin charge, plus any incurred assessor expenses.

Cancellations made 4 to 8 weeks prior to the event - a non-refundable 50% deposit is payable on all certification assessment fees, plus full payment of any incurred assessor expenses.

Cancellations made less than 4 weeks prior to the event - 100% of the application fee is payable, plus full payment of any incurred assessor expenses.


CONFIDENTIALITY

A Greener Festival Ltd t/a A Greener Future are regularly entrusted with client’s sensitive operational information. All AGF staff and assessors are required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement prior to completing an assessment of any applicant to the AGF certification process.

Any information and data gathered by A Greener Festival Ltd t/a A Greener Future in relation to the Applicant’s arena remains the property of the Applicant and will not be disclosed to any third party unless specifically requested by the client or agreed in writing.

Only headline certifications are released publicly by AGF (i.e. Improvers / Commended / Highly Commended / Outstanding). Should an arena fail an application this will not be announced publicly, but will be communicated to the Applicant to aid improvement for future editions. More detailed scores kept confidential by AGF, unless the Applicant themselves chooses to release these publicly.

Scores and data will only be used by AGF to create anonymous aggregate analysis of all applicants to provide stats and benchmarks for the sector.


INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All AGF assessment materials, processes, procedures, all collated and/or anonymised data and feedback reports (and the Report) remain the Intellectual Property of A Greener Festival Ltd t/a A Greener Future. The AGF logo Is protected by Copyright Law. The AGF certification logo is a registered European Community Trademark. The name and mark A Greener Festival, A Greener Future and the certification logos cannot be used without express written permission.


DISCLAIMER

AGF Feedback Reports and Recommendations are produced based upon information and data provided by the Applicant to A Greener Festival Ltd t/a A Greener Future and the independent assessor(s). Whilst every effort is made to present a current and accurate report based upon that information, AGF makes no guarantees of any kind as to the nature or accuracy of the Report or the data. The report provided by AGF to the Applicant may offer general recommendations based on the data provided, AGF’s analysis of that data, and current good practice. However, specific professional advice tailored to the Applicant should always be taken on matters referred to in the Report. AGF makes no representations or warranties, express or implied. A Greener Festival Ltd t/a A Greener Future accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or liability or damage caused or alleged to be caused by the use of the data herein and/or the report or any reliance thereon by the Applicant or any third party.