At PSI 2021 sustainability will take centre stage

Sustainability is one topic that the current corona pandemic has by no means relegated to the background; on the contrary, it has further increased awareness of sustainable consumption. Sustainability and responsibility have been playing a decisive role on the promotional products market for years, and are also increasingly demanded by customers and end consumers. For our CEO Steven Baumgärtner, products which are sustainable throughout the entire value chain have always been important. "The consumer should be able to learn about the history of the product, its components and the composition of the materials. They should also have access to information about the production facilities and the people who make the goods. And, of course, about the product's ecological footprint and the journey it takes to reach its destination".

For this reason Steven Baumgärtner, together with the PSI Association, has developed a new category within the existing PSI Sustainability Awards. As of 2021 Category 8 - "Innovator of the Year" - will be established as a special new category. This category deals with sustainable products and their history, and not just with pure results. The focus will be on the motives behind sustainability, as well as the ecological and social responsibility that the partner companies assume for their production and manufacturing facilities with all their employees. The new special award category therefore not only honours the individual sustainable product, but also the sustainable context in which it is embedded.

Companies can now apply separately for the category "Innovator of the Year" by sending an email to awards@psi-network.de by 1 October 2020.  Valid certifications in the areas of quality management, environmental management and social management must be submitted with the application. The application should consist of a sustainable product and documentation of both its history and the sustainable value chain involved. The companies in the value chain also have to show corresponding certificates in the fields of economy, ecology and social management.

The presentation of the awards is also moving closer to the industry. The sixth edition of the PSI Sustainability Awards will for the first time be celebrated under the umbrella of the world of promotion and sales. PSI will thus become the major stage for sustainability, because on 12 January 2021, the first day of the trade fair, the winners will be officially presented during the trade fair. All award-winning submissions will also be on display on all three days of the fair. "In this way we are responding to the wish of many participants that the awards should be brought closer to the industry," says Michael Freter, Managing Director of the PSI.