Blue Flag's criteria
The Blue Flag programme establishes requirements for beaches, marinas and tourism boats covering environmental management, environmental education and information, bathing water quality where applicable, biodiversity, climate action, safety, services and accessibility.
Sites participating in the programme must demonstrate compliance with the requirements applicable to their site category and maintain compliance throughout the applicable award period.
Blue Flag requirements are periodically reviewed and updated with input from relevant experts, stakeholders and the international Blue Flag network to reflect developments in environmental management, education, safety, accessibility and other areas relevant to the programme.
The full Blue Flag requirements and accompanying explanatory guidance for each site category are available below.
Explore the Blue Flag criteria for water quality, environmental management, biodiversity, education, safety, services and accessibility, and learn what beaches, marinas and tourism boats must do to receive the Blue Flag.
Continuous improvement and periodic review
Blue Flag requirements are periodically reviewed to ensure they remain relevant to the programme's objectives and the different environmental, regulatory and operational contexts in which Blue Flag sites operate.
Applicable legislation remains the responsibility of the relevant site operator and competent authorities. Compliance with Blue Flag requirements does not replace or constitute confirmation of compliance with all applicable legal requirements.
Evaluation and monitoring
Blue Flag applications and participating sites are subject to defined evaluation and monitoring procedures designed to assess compliance with applicable Blue Flag requirements and support consistent implementation of the programme internationally.
Criteria – Six Key Areas
Blue Flag criteria vary according to whether the applicant is a beach, marina or tourism boat. The criteria below are grouped into six key areas to provide an overview of the main requirements across the Programme. The formal criteria and explanatory notes remain specific to each site category.
1. Education, Information and Stakeholder Engagement
Environmental education and information are central components of the Blue Flag Programme. Depending on the type of site or operator, requirements include:
Providing information about the Blue Flag Programme and its criteria.
Providing information about local ecosystems, sensitive natural areas, environmental features and, where relevant, cultural sites.
Displaying or communicating codes of conduct that encourage responsible behaviour.
Offering environmental education activities to visitors, users, staff and/or local communities.
Training and informing staff about Blue Flag and relevant environmental issues.
Encouraging cooperation with local stakeholders and relevant organisations in environmental management and education.
The current criteria require environmental education activities across all three categories, with the number and format adapted to the type and scale of the site or operation.
2. Resource Management and Environmental Action
Blue Flag criteria encourage sites and operators to manage resources responsibly and continuously improve their environmental practices. Depending on the type of site or operator, requirements include:
Developing environmental policies, plans and environmental objectives.
Monitoring and managing water and energy consumption.
Taking measures to reduce unnecessary resource use.
Promoting more sustainable transport options where applicable.
Considering environmental performance when maintaining, renovating or developing facilities.
Implementing additional environmental measures appropriate to the operation and local context.
For example, marina criteria require an environmental policy and plan covering areas such as water, waste and energy consumption, while current criteria also include measures relating to water efficiency, transport and environmental management.
3. Biodiversity and Sensitive Area Management
Blue Flag criteria recognise the importance of local ecosystems, biodiversity and environmentally sensitive areas. Depending on the site or activity, requirements include:
Providing information about local ecosystems, wildlife, habitats and sensitive natural areas.
Consulting relevant conservation authorities or experts where sensitive areas require special management.
Managing visitor and recreational activities to avoid damage to sensitive habitats and species.
Respecting requirements applying to protected areas.
Managing natural features such as dunes, coastal vegetation, seaweed and other natural debris appropriately.
For tourism boats, following specific requirements for responsible operations around wildlife where relevant.
For beaches, sensitive natural areas requiring special management must involve appropriate consultation and management measures, while tourism boats include a dedicated category on responsible operation around wild animals.
4. Water Quality, Pollution Prevention and Waste Management
Blue Flag establishes requirements for bathing water quality, pollution prevention, cleanliness and waste management, according to the type of site or operation. These include:
Meeting Blue Flag bathing water quality requirements at beaches, including sampling, analysis and public communication of results.
Ensuring wastewater, sewage and other discharges do not compromise applicable water quality requirements.
Maintaining appropriate cleanliness standards.
Providing appropriate waste collection and disposal facilities.
Providing facilities for waste separation and recycling.
Ensuring hazardous waste is appropriately stored, handled and disposed of.
Providing appropriate facilities and procedures to prevent and manage pollution associated with sewage, fuel, oil, chemicals and other potentially polluting substances.
Blue Flag beaches must meet the Programme's bathing water quality requirements, including defined sampling and analytical standards, while marina and tourism boat criteria include detailed requirements on waste, hazardous materials, recycling and pollution management.
5. Accessibility and Visitor Facilities
Blue Flag criteria address access and the availability of appropriate facilities and information for visitors. Depending on the site and applicable criteria, requirements include:
Providing information about available facilities and services.
Identifying accessible facilities and access points on site maps where applicable.
Providing access and facilities for people with disabilities in accordance with applicable Blue Flag requirements.
Maintaining appropriate sanitary facilities.
Providing drinking water where required.
Ensuring facilities are properly maintained and appropriately signposted.
For beaches, the information map must indicate facilities including accessible toilets and access points where applicable.
6. Safety and Services
Blue Flag criteria require appropriate safety measures, emergency arrangements and visitor services according to the characteristics of the site or operation. Depending on the type of site or operator, requirements include:
Providing appropriate lifesaving, rescue, first-aid and fire-fighting equipment.
Providing lifeguards and/or public rescue equipment at beaches as required by the applicable criteria and local conditions.
Providing clear safety information and instructions.
Maintaining emergency procedures for pollution, fire, accidents and other relevant emergencies.
Managing different recreational activities and users where necessary to reduce risks and conflicts.
Ensuring relevant staff and personnel are appropriately trained or qualified.
Maintaining required sanitary and other service facilities.
At beaches, public rescue equipment may replace lifeguards in specified low-hazard and low-use circumstances unless legislation or the safety risk assessment requires otherwise, and first-aid equipment must be available. Marinas likewise require lifesaving, first-aid and fire-fighting equipment and emergency plans.