ISO 31031: Managing risk for youth and school trips
Learn how this new international standard, developed with Society expertise, ensures safer youth and educational trips overseas.
ISO 31031:2024 is a new international standard that provides a framework for managing the risks associated with youth and school trips.
It is primarily intended to support organisers in countries where nationally recognised standards for educational visits are less established than those in the United Kingdom.
The development of this global guidance was informed by the deep expertise of Fellows of the Society, drawn from the technical committee responsible for the UK's own world-leading standard, BS 8848. The Society's contribution to ISO 31031 is part of our wider, ongoing commitment to establishing and promoting good practice in field safety and risk management for expeditions and field projects worldwide.
By applying ISO 31031, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to providing safe, enriching experiences for young people. It offers a common framework that can help streamline planning processes, reduce potential liabilities, and ultimately lead to more successful and rewarding trips for all involved.
Key benefits of implementing ISO 31031
- Enhanced safety and security measures for young people and their organisers.
- Improved risk assessment and management processes.
- Clearer communication and coordination among all stakeholders.
- Greater focus on the educational and developmental value of trips
- Increased confidence and support for parents, guardians, and participants.
- Alignment with international good practices in risk management.
Who is ISO 31031 for?
This standard is designed for any organisation that runs trips for young people, defining ‘youths’ as individuals who have not yet reached their twenty-fifth birthday, in line with the United Nations' definition.
International organisers
For organisations running youth and school trips outside of the UK, particularly in regions without their own national standards, ISO 31031 provides a robust and credible framework for managing risk. Adopting it demonstrates a commitment to internationally recognised good practice.
UK-based organisers
Providers within the UK already have access to a range of well-established accreditation schemes and standards. Therefore, there is no expectation that UK providers will need to use ISO 31031 directly for their domestic operations. Experienced UK providers should find they already conform to the principles within this standard. For UK providers organising overseas visits, the British Standard BS 8848:2014 remains the most relevant and useful benchmark for good safety management practices.
Overseas third-party providers
ISO 31031 is particularly relevant for overseas partners and local operators who work with UK-based travel providers. For these third-party providers, conforming to ISO 31031 is an effective way to demonstrate that they have robust risk management provisions in place, which is a key part of the due diligence process required under BS 8848.
How to purchase a copy of ISO 31031:2024
The full ISO 31031:2024 standard is a copyrighted document available for purchase from the following official bodies:
BS 8848: the British Standard for overseas ventures
The definitive framework for operations, field safety and risk management in ventures and activities outside the UK.
Off-Site Safety Management (OSSM)
The foundational field safety training course for off-site visit coordinators and expedition leaders.
Health and safety policy for field-based activities
The Society helps you ensure that you can undertake field-based activities in a safe and responsible manner.