• This Campaign was founded in 1987, European Year of the Environment and is managed in the various countries by the FEE, Foundation for Environmental Education.
  
  The Blue Flag acknowledgement for beaches is awarded for: water quality, quality of the shore, safety facilities and measures and environmental education.
  
  The Blue Flag for yachting facilities is assigned for: quality of the facility, safety facilities and measures and environmental education and information.
  Main criteria for beaches:
  • absolute quality of bathing water
  • no release of industrial or sewage waters in the vicinity of beaches
  • drafting of municipal authority plans for handling environmental emergencies
  • drafting of municipal authority plans for the environmental development of the coastal area
  • water free of traces of superficial pollution (oil slicks, dirt, etc.)
  • beaches equipped with an adequate number of litter bins
  • beach kept clean at all times
  • availability of bathing water test data
  • ready availability of information on the European Blue Flag Campaign
  • environmental initiatives involving tourists and residents
  • adequate number of public toilets in the vicinity of the beach
  • provision of life jackets and rescue craft
  • absolute ban on car access to beaches
  • absolute ban on fly-camping
  • ban on taking dogs on beaches not dedicated to them
  • easy access to beaches
  • observance of bans on activities constituting a hazard for bathers
  • equilibrium between beach activities and respect for the environment
  • efficient beach services
  • facilitated access for handicapped users
  • drinking water fountains
  • public telephones positioned close to the beach

Main criteria for yachting facilities: 
            • waters in the marina and adjacent area free of visible pollution 
            • sewers do not flow into the marina 
            • presence of equipment for collecting the residues of oil, paint and chemical products 
            • life jackets and rescue equipment 
            • environmental information provided by the management 
            • information on the Blue Flag Campaign provided by the Management 
            • possibility of disposing of vessels’ bilge and toilet water 
            • facilities for the disposal of boatyard work residues 
            • electricity and drinking water on the quayside