Green Key Criteria and Processes to be renewed on 1.10.2026
In order to meet the requirements of the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (2024/825), Green Key has updated its criteria and application process. The changes will come into effect on 1 October 2026. The most significant change is the gradual extension of the certificate validity to two years. There will also be a change to the audit cycle: in future, audits will be carried out every two years. In the intervening years, only consumption figures and other essential information will be reported.
On this page we present the new criteria and certification process, according to which certification will take place after October 1, 2026. Certifications issued before this date follow the old criteria and certification process.
(You may read Green Key International’s full statement on the accreditation process here.)
The New Green Key Certification Process
The certification process has been defined in more detail than before:
As before, Going Green Oy represents Green Key in Finland and is responsible for managing the certificate and orienting applicants to the application process. External auditors approved by the Certification Body (see below) conduct the audit, which is carried out on-site in connection with each application.
The certificate will now be issued by a certification body (Certification Body = CB) which takes the decision based on the audit. The renewal of the audit model follows the ISO17065 and ISO19011 standards.
The certificate is issued for 2 years at a time, but monitoring activities are carried out halfway through the certification period to check the timeliness of certain information reported annually.
The entire certification process is described in detail in the diagram below.
1. Pre-screening
Green Key will evaluate the eligibility of the applicant by assessing:
- Location of the establishment
- Appropriate contact in Green Key
- Applicable category/categories
- Any risks associated with the on-site audit
- If the establishment is open (In order to hold the certificate, no more than 50% of the establishment should be closed for renovation.)
2. Application
The Green Key team will:
A. Send information to the applicant establishment
– Criteria, process, application form, certification agreement, costs, support material.
B. Receive information from the applicant establishment
– Completed application form, supplementary documents, signed certification agreement, payment of Green Key levy.
C. Readiness check
– Ensure that all the required information and documentation to be shared with the CB and auditors have been provided.
3. On-site certification audit
- The CB will select an auditor considering competence, availability, cost, and distance* factors. The CB will furthermore assess the possibility of “pooling” audits (to save time and costs).
- The auditor will contact applicant establishment to organise the time for the on-site audit
- Auditor and establishment will receive all application material from Green Key
- Applicant establishment will pay the auditor costs directly to the assigned auditorThe audit organisation:The auditor will:
– contact the applicant establishment to agree on the time for the on-site audit
– receive all application material from Green KeyPlease notice: The applicant establishment will pay the auditor costs directly to the assigned auditor.
5. The auditor will perform an on-site certification audit:
– Opening meeting
– Document verification (can be checked by the auditor before the on-site audit)
– Visual inspection
– Closing meetingFinally, the auditor will fill out the audit report using the Green Key’s standard online format and share it with the CB.
4. Review and decision
4 A: Review
The Certification Body will then assess either:
A. Full conformity with required criteria:
-> Certification decision
B. Non-conformity with 1-5 required criteria:
-> Establishment must rectify non-conformities and send proof -> Certification decision
C. Non-conformity with >5 required criteria:
-> Establishment must rectify non-conformities and send proof -> A follow-up audit is organized with the auditor -> Certification decision
4 B: Decision:
The CB takes the final decision: yes or no to certification.
4 C: Information about the decision:
Green Key shares the final decision with the establishment together with:
Green Key certificate*
Copy of the audit report
Copy of certification agreement*
Access to audit satisfaction survey
Information about requirements during the certification period*
Information about suspension/withdrawal**
Information about complaints/appeals
* in case of “yes” to certification
** in case of “no” to certification
5. Surveillance activities
Between 8 and 14 months after the certification:
A. Green Key contacts certified establishment 8-14 months after certification
– Delivery of documentation on selected criteria
– Payment of annual Green Key levy
B. Green Key makes initial check of received material
C. CB makes final decision of received material
– Full conformity: Certification continues
– Non-conformity: Certification is suspended until full conformity is reached
Site categories
Starting from 1 October 2026, Green Key certification is available in Finland for companies in the following categories. IMPORTANT: The definitions of most categories will change slightly from before. We will be in touch with companies whose categories will change due to the new definitions during spring 2026.
Hotels & Hostels
The Green Key Hotel and Hostel criteria are applicable to fully operational hotels and hostels offering regular hospitality services. Establishments undergoing major construction/renovation works can only obtain the certificate when works are finalised. While establishments offering temporary/occasional services do not fall under the scope of this category, seasonal establishments may be eligible if they are fully operational during the time of the audit. The hotel/hostel is located in one permanent setting, has more than 20 bedrooms or 40 beds, and offers its services to the general public.
Campsite and Holiday Parks (CHP)
The Green Key Campsite and Holiday Parks criteria are applicable for campsites, eco-camps, desert camps, parks composed of chalets, cottages, lodges, or mobile homes, apartments within holiday parks, etc., often with central facilities such as shared toilet/shower facilities, communal kitchen and outdoor recreation areas. Establishments undergoing major construction/renovation works can only obtain the certificate when works are finalised. While establishments offering temporary/occasional services do not fall under the scope of this category, seasonal establishments may be eligible if they are fully operational during the time of the audit. The campsite/holiday park is located in one permanent setting and offers its services to the general public.
Small accommodations
The Green Key Small Accommodations criteria are applicable to fully operational serviced accommodations. These accommodations could include small hotels/hostels, guest houses, bed & breakfast establishments, eco-lodges, eco-farms, etc. offering regular hospitality services. Establishments undergoing major construction/renovation works can only obtain the certificate when works are finalised. While establishments offering temporary/occasional services do not fall under the scope of this category, seasonal establishments may be eligible if they are fully operational during the time of the audit. The small accommodation is located in one permanent setting, has a maximum of 20 bedrooms or 40 beds, and offers its services to the general public.
Conference Centres (CC)
The Green Key Conference Centre criteria are applicable for fully operational conference centres located in one permanent setting or located within another Green Key category that is entirely externally managed offering regular conference services. Establishments undergoing major construction/renovation works can only obtain the certificate when works are finalised. While establishments offering temporary/occasional services do not fall under the scope of this category, seasonal establishments may be eligible if they are fully operational during the time of the audit. The conference centre is located in one permanent setting, can have auditoriums, lecture halls and/or meeting/conference rooms, and offers its services to the general public.
Restaurants/Cafés (R)
The Green Key Restaurant/Café criteria are applicable for fully operational restaurants and cafés in stand-alone locations or located within another Green Key category but entirely externally managed, offering regular restaurant services. Establishments undergoing major construction/renovation works can only obtain the certificate when works are finalised. While establishments offering temporary/occasional services do not fall under the scope of this category, seasonal establishments may be eligible if they are fully operational during the time of the audit. The restaurant/café is located in one permanent setting, has minimum 4 tables or 8 seats for guests, and offers its services to the general public.
Attractions (A)
The Green Key Attraction criteria are applicable to fully operational museums, visitor/interpretation centres and theme parks. Sites that are undergoing major constructions/renovation work can only obtain the certificate once they have finalised their works. While establishments offering temporary/occasional services do not fall under the scope of this category, seasonal establishments may be eligible if they are fully operational during the time of the audit. The attraction is located in a permanent setting and offer services to the general public.
The new criteria
Instead of the previous 13 chapters, the new criteria set will be divided into seven chapters, which will however include the same areas as before. The total number of criteria is smaller for both basic and point criteria. The new criteria set presented here will enter into force on 1 October 2026.
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
GUEST AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT
WATER
ENERGY AND CARBON
WASTE
PROCUREMENT
LIVING ENVIRONMENT
As before, Green Key requirements are divided into two categories:
IMPERATIVE CRITERIA
The imperative criteria set a baseline that an applicant must achieve when applying for Green Key. If a company does not have operations related to a specific area of the criteria, the requirements for that area are omitted.
GUIDELINE CRITERIA
In connection with re-application, the site’s operations must meet all imperative Green Key criteria as well as an annually increasing number of guideline criteria. The required number of guideline criteria is presented in the table below.
