Important information for Blue Flag sites in the European Union Directive (EU) 2024/825 – Blue Flag arrangements from 27 September 2026
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), through the Blue Flag Programme, is currently implementing transitional arrangements in response to Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition.
The Directive introduces new EU consumerprotection rules concerning environmental claims and sustainability labels. EU Member States were required to transpose the Directive into national law by 27 March 2026, with the relevant national measures applying from 27 September 2026. EUR-Lex
What this means for Blue Flag
Blue Flag is an international environmental and educational programme operating across different legal and management contexts, including publicly managed beaches and marinas, as well as privately managed beaches, marinas and tourism boats.
Importantly, most Blue Flag sites in the European Union have already concluded, or will have concluded, their 2026 Blue Flag season before 27 September 2026. At these sites, the Blue Flag is no longer being flown as part of the normal seasonal operation of the Programme. The transitional arrangements described here are therefore primarily relevant to the smaller number of sites with longer or year-round operational seasons extending beyond 26 September 2026.
FEE has been working extensively with the European institutions, Blue Flag National Operators and other stakeholders to understand the implications of the new framework and to ensure that appropriate arrangements are available for those sites whose Blue Flag season remains active when the new rules begin to apply.
The clarification received by FEE from the European Commission in September 2026, in response to the parliamentary question submitted on the Blue Flag programme, is particularly relevant to this work (Parliamentary question | Ensuring the continued operation of the Blue Flag Programme under Directive (EU) 2024/825 | E-003031/2026 | European Parliament). The Commission clarified that the application of the EU consumer-protection framework depends on the context in which the Blue Flag is used. In particular, the recognition of a public beach managed by a public authority does not, in itself, automatically constitute a business-to-consumer commercial practice. Where the Blue Flag is used by a trader as part of commercial communications, however, the provisions of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive may apply, depending on the specific circumstances.
Parliamentary question | Answer for question E-003031/26 | E-003031/2026(ASW) | European Parliament
Accordingly, FEE is working with National Operators to apply a proportionate and precautionary approach to the limited number of Blue Flag sites whose operational season continues on or beyond 27 September 2026
Transitional arrangements for the remainder of the 2026 season
FEE is therefore working with Blue Flag National Operators and local sites across the European Union to put appropriate arrangements in place for sites whose 2026 Blue Flag operational season continues beyond 27 September 2026.
For private and commercial sites, FEE will be making available, as soon as possible, an additional independent external verification pathway. Eligible sites may voluntarily undergo an independent third-party desktop audit of their existing 2026 Blue Flag application and supporting evidence.
Where the necessary arrangements have been confirmed, affected sites will receive information directly through their Blue Flag National Operator concerning the continued display and communication of the Blue Flag for the remainder of their operational season.
Where such confirmation has not been provided or finalised, the precautionary measure of Blue Flag International is that affected sites should cease public display of the Blue Flag flag by the end of 26 September 2026, before the Directive becomes active on the 27 of September.
A proportionate and precautionary approach
The Directive itself does not provide an additional grace period beyond 27 September 2026. At the same time, the European Commission has welcomed a common approach by national consumer-protection authorities that recognises genuine transitional difficulties and practical constraints. https://commission.europa.eu/document/264d8c70-2f9a-4955-8e7b-154d55a9b684_en
FEE's approach is therefore intended to be precautionary, proportionate and coordinated: protecting consumers and the credibility of the Blue Flag while avoiding unnecessary disruption to municipalities, local authorities, private operators and other organisations that have already successfully completed the Blue Flag assessment process for the 2026 season.
Blue Flag is continuing
Blue Flag International is strengthening the Programme's governance, assurance and recognition framework to respond to the evolving EU regulatory environment while preserving the environmental, educational and public-interest purpose that has underpinned Blue Flag for decades.
Further information on the future recognition model, including arrangements for upcoming Blue Flag seasons, will be communicated to the Blue Flag network and published as the framework is finalised.
Information for individual sites
Blue Flag sites should follow the instructions provided by their National Operator concerning the display and communication of the Blue Flag from 27 September 2026.
Because the Directive (EU) 2024/825 is implemented through national legislation and the legal assessment of particular practices may depend on the specific circumstances, this notice constitutes general Blue Flag Programme guidance and does not constitute individual legal advice. Questions concerning the application of national consumer-protection legislation to a particular operator or commercial practice ultimately fall within the competence of the relevant national authorities.
FEE and Blue Flag International will continue to work with National Operators, participating sites and relevant authorities to support an orderly transition and the continued long-term operation of the Blue Flag Programme across Europe and worldwide.