How to Get the Blue Flag: 33 Criteria to Meet

Every year the FEE, the Foundation for Environmental Education, awards the Blue Flag to all beaches that meet certain parameters and respond to very precise characteristics, according to a strict protocol.

Awarded beaches must meet high standards in terms of sustainability, safety, environmental quality, and accessibility. The criteria are divided into four macro-categories, each of which contributes to guaranteeing a high-quality seaside experience while fully respecting the natural environment.

Here’s how to obtain a Blue Flag and what the 33 international criteria useful for obtaining it are.

Informational and Educational Criteria

These criteria concern the importance of information and environmental education for beach visitors. A Blue Flag beach must, in fact, promote ecological awareness while making easily accessible all relevant information about the place and the surrounding natural environment. Therefore, the informational and educational criteria to be respected to obtain the Blue Flag are:

1. First of all, information relating to coastal ecosystems and natural areas must be posted.
2. Every year at least 5 environmental education activities must be offered.
3. Information on water quality must be posted.
4. Information related to local ecosystems, natural elements and cultural sites must be posted.
5. The beach map with indications of all the services offered must be posted.
6. The conduct code relating to the current regulations on the use of the beach and surrounding areas must be posted.

Water Quality Criteria

The bathing water quality is one of the fundamental requirements to obtain the Blue Flag at an international level. These criteria ensure that the water is clean, safe for bathers, and constantly monitored through analyses and sampling. The water must therefore meet the following criteria:

1. The requirements for sampling and frequency related to bathing water quality must be respected.
2. The standards and analytic requirements related to bathing water quality must be respected.
3. No discharge of wastewater, whether urban or industrial, may affect the beach area.
4. The beach must comply with the values laid down by the Bathing Water Directive for total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and streptococci.
5. It must meet the Blue Flag requirements for physical and chemical parameters regarding oils and other floating matter.

Environmental Criteria

To maintain the balance between tourist use and environmental protection, obtaining the Blue Flag requires complying with a series of parameters linked to sustainable land management. These environmental criteria guarantee the conservation of ecosystems, proper waste management, and compliance with environmental regulations. Here are the environmental criteria:

1. The Local Authority or Beach Operator must establish a beach management committee.
2. The same Local Authority or Beach Operator must comply with all regulations relating to the location and operation of the beach.
3. The sensitive areas near a Blue Flag beach must be managed to ensure the conservation and biodiversity of marine ecosystems.
4. The beach must be kept perfectly clean.
5. Algae and other types of vegetation must be allowed to decompose on the beach unless they cause disturbance.
6. There must be an adequate number of waste bins on the beach.
7. Moreover, there must be separate containers for sorting waste, on the beach or nearby.
8. There must be washrooms or changing rooms in adequate supply.
9. These washrooms and changing rooms must be kept clean.
10. Wastewater must be connected to the sewer system or collected in watertight containers to be emptied appropriately.
11. The ban on camping, on driving motor vehicles, and any type of dumping must be enforced.
12. Access for dogs and other pets to the beach must be strictly controlled.
13. Beach buildings and equipment must be kept in good condition.
14. Health monitoring of coral reefs and all marine habitats near the beach must be carried out.
15. Sustainable means of transport should be promoted in the surrounding area of the beach.

Safety Criteria and Services Offered

The safety of bathers and the quality of services offered are crucial aspects for a beach aiming to obtain and maintain the Blue Flag. Here are all the necessary requirements to ensure a protected, accessible, and well-equipped environment for all users:

1. The beach must have an adequate number of staff, lifeguards, and rescue equipment on site.
2. First aid equipment must be available.
3. Emergency plans for cases of pollution or risk to environmental safety must be prepared.
4. There must be management of the various activities and uses of the beach to prevent conflicts and incidents.
5. Public access must be free, and safety measures for the protection of bathers must be implemented.
6. The beach must have at least one source of drinking water.
7. At least one Blue Flag beach per municipality must have access and services for people with physical disabilities.

There are several Italian Blue Flag beaches, wonderful places to visit, from north to south, from Liguria to the splendid beaches of Sicily.