ISO/TS 13811:2015

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 13811
First edition
2015-12-15
Tourism and related services —
Guidelines on developing
environmental specifications for
accommodation establishments
Tourisme et services connexes — Lignes directrices pour l’élaboration
de spécifications environnementales pour les hébergements
Reference number
ISO/TS 13811:2015(E)
©
ISO 2015

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ISO/TS 13811:2015(E)

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ISO/TS 13811:2015(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Terms and definitions . 1
3 Principles . 2
3.1 General . 2
3.2 Reduce the negative impacts and strengthen the positive impacts of tourism on
the environment . 2
3.2.1 Conserve the natural environment and biodiversity . 2
3.2.2 Reduce the consumption of resources . 3
3.2.3 Reduce pollution . 3
4 Recommendations . 4
4.1 General recommendations. 4
4.2 Recommended criteria to maximize positive impacts to the environment and
minimize negative impacts . 4
4.2.1 Applicability . 4
4.2.2 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and landscapes . 4
4.2.3 Conserving resources . 5
4.2.4 Reducing pollution . 5
4.2.5 General criteria . . . 5
Bibliography . 7
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ISO/TS 13811:2015(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment,
as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee ISO/TC 228, Tourism and
related services.
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ISO/TS 13811:2015(E)

Introduction
Accommodation establishments exist in nearly every habitat in the world. While many impacts, such
as energy and water consumption, are universal, the location of the accommodation establishment
determines the priority and type of impacts to be considered. A hotel in the desert, on a small island or
in a traditional resort can have greater impact on water resources than one in a rain forest. A building
in the Arctic needs to consider protection of the permafrost from melting beneath the buildings. A lodge
in the African savannah needs to consider its effect on wildlife, just as a resort hotel on the beach needs
to consider the effect of its lighting on nesting sea turtles.
Because of the diversity of habitats in the world, these effects are not detailed in this Technical
Specification. This Technical Specification is intended to be used as a guideline for the development of
national and private specifications that are oriented towards the special conditions prevailing in each
country, while considering the general impacts of tourists and accommodation establishments. In order
to reduce their environmental impacts, accommodation establishments are encouraged to follow good
practices which do not compromise health and safety practices and requirements.
The aim of this Technical Specification is not to create a new label, but to harmonize existing criteria.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has contributed to the development of this Technical
Specification. The criteria specified in 4.2 are based on the environmental part of the GSTC Criteria for
Hotels and Tour Operators.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 13811:2015(E)
Tourism and related services — Guidelines on developing
environmental specifications for accommodation
establishments
1 Scope
This Technical Specification provides guidelines for developing specifications aimed at reducing
the negative impacts and increasing the positive impacts of accommodation establishments on the
environment.
This Technical Specification does not apply to campsites.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
accommodation
provision of at least sleeping and sanitary facilities
[SOURCE: ISO 18513:2003, 2.1.1]
2.2
accommodation establishment
establishment providing tourist accommodation (2.1)
2.3
additionality
difference between what an individual consumes at home and in an accommodation establishment (2.2)
2.4
environment
surroundings in which an accommodation establishment (2.2) operates, including air, water, land,
natural resources, flora, fauna, humans, and their interrelationships
Note 1 to entry: Surroundings in this context extend from within an accommodation establishment to the
global system.
[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.1, modified]
2.5
environmental aspect
element of an accommodation establishment’s (2.2) activities or products or services that can interact
with the environment (2.4)
Note 1 to entry: A significant environmental aspect has or can have a significant environmental impact (2.6).
[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.2, modified]
2.6
environmental impact
change to the environment (2.4), whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an
accommodation establishment’s (2.2) environmental aspects (2.5)
[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.4, modified]
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ISO/TS 13811:2015(E)

2.7
grey water
waste water from household baths and showers, handbasins and kitchen sinks but excluding waste
water and excreta from water closets
[SOURCE: ISO 6107-7:2006, 21]
2.8
specification
document stating requirements
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.8.7, modified]
3 Principles
3.1 General
This clause provides guidelines for new and, when reviewed, existing specifications, which:
— should consider the principles of this Technical Specification;
— should emphasize the importance of taking actions to implement these principles;
— may contain explanations for exceptions where parts of this Technical Specification have not been
adopted and/or applied.
3.2 Reduce the negative impacts and strengthen the positive impacts of tourism on
the environment
3.2.1 Conserve the natural environment and biodiversity
Biological diversity and the integrity of landscapes can be affected by tourism positively or negatively.
Accommodation establishments can contribute to conservation or can damage the natural resources.
a) Positive impacts can be produced by:
— conserving or restoring natural areas and areas of scenic beauty, whether owned by the
accommodation establishment or not;
— extractive activities that are sustainable and increase the viability of natural populations,
relative to traditional extractive activities;
— environmental education of individuals, staff, and neighbouring communities.
b) Negative impact can be produced by:
— inappropriate earth movement or destruction of natural habitats during construction;
— destruction or alteration of scenic landscapes;
— direct or indirect extractive activities (inappropriate harvesting, use, display, or sale of plants
and animals);
— blocking migratory paths for animals;
— light and noise pollution;
— physical pollutions (air, water and soil pollutions);
— introduction of invasive species or species that compete for resources with the natural habitat;
2 © ISO
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