Green Key – sustainability program and certificate for tourism establishments

Green Key is an international sustainability certification programme for tourism establishments. Since 1994, it has supported the tourism sector in improving environmental performance and promoting more responsible and sustainable operations.

The programme is operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) together with its national member organisations. In Finland, Going Green ltd is responsible for the Green Key programme. Green Key is open to a wide range of tourism businesses: hotels and hostels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centres, restaurants and cafés, and attractions (museums, visitor and interpretation centres and amusement parks).

Green Key provides a structured framework to help establishments manage and improve their sustainability practices, including environmental, social, and operational aspects. Conformity with the Green Key requirements is assessed through documentation and on-site audits carried out by independent third-party auditors. The final certification decision is taken by an independent Certification Body within the certification system.

The Danish Accreditation fund DANAK has evaluated the Green Key certification scheme and found it to be aligned with ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and suitable for accreditation.

The Green Key certification scheme meets the requirements of EmpCo, the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive.

Once certified, establishments may communicate their Green Key certification during its validity period. For guests, the Green Key certificate indicates that the establishment has been assessed against defined sustainability criteria and is working to improve its environmental and social performance.

The Green Key certificate is recognised by the Sustainable Travel Finland program.

 

In Finland, Green Key is represented by Going Green Ltd, which is a social enterprise fully owned by FEE Finland.

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 criteria

To be granted the Green Key certificate, an establishment must comply with stringent sustainability requirements. In order to monitor their fulfillment, a set of criteria divided into 7 chapters has been developed, and the required criteria may differ according to the type of establishment. The criteria are updated regularly. The current set came into effect on 1.10.2026.

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

GUEST AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT

WATER

ENERGY AND CARBON

WASTE

PROCUREMENT

LIVING ENVIRONMENT

The Green Key criteria are divided into two categories:

IMPERATIVE CRITERIA

The imperative criteria define the basic requirements that the applicant must meet already when first applying for the certificate. However, if some activity described in the imperative criteria is not included in the services offered by the establishment, the criteria related to it may be excluded.

GUIDELINE CRITERIA

Starting from the first re-application, the establishment must meet all the imperative criteria as well as an annually growing number of guideline criteria.

Glossary

The English glossary (pdf file) contains explanations of the most important terms used in the new criteria.

The Green Key programme structure

Going Green ltd 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), the Audit Independer Group, 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.

Step-by-step application process

The Green Key certification process progresses from programme registration to application submission, an audit and a decision by an independent Certification Body. Once certified, the establishment continues to operate in accordance with the criteria, reports the required information and prepares for certification renewal. The process from initial registration to receiving the certificate typically takes 4–6 months. The timeline depends on factors such as the establishment’s readiness, the completeness of the application, audit arrangements and the correction of any non-conformities.

The certification process consists of five stages:

  1. Submitting the application documents
  2. On-site certification audit
  3. Certification decision
  4. Ongoing conformity during the certification period
  5. Renewal of the certification

1. Submitting the application documents

Register for the Green Key application process in order to apply for the Green Key certificate for your establishment.

Going Green will evaluate the eligibility of the applicant by assessing:

  • Location of the establishment
  • Appropriate contact person within the Green Key programme
  • Applicable category/categories
  • Any risks associated with the on-site audit
  • If the establishment is in operation (in order to hold the certificate, no more than 50% of the establishment should be closed for renovation.)

Eligible establishments receive:

  • information about the criteria and certification process
  • details about the required documentation
  • access to the online application form

The establishment must:

  • Complete the online application form
  • Submit the required supporting documents
  • Sign and return the certification agreement
  • Pay the Green Key levy (participation fee)

Green Key Management reviews the submitted materials to ensure that all required information has been provided and to confirm the scope of certification.

2. On-site certification audit

Once the application has been reviewed, a third-party auditor is assigned to conduct an on-site certification audit. An auditor is chosen by Audit Independer.

The auditor contacts the establishment to schedule the audit date.

The applicant establishment pays the annual Certification Body fee and the auditor costs.

Before the on-site audit, the auditor receives all application documents from Going Green.

The on-site certification audit typically includes:

  1. Opening meeting
  2. Document verification (may also be conducted in advance)
  3. Visual inspection of the establishment
  4. Audit summary and closing discussion

The audit usually takes 2–6 hours, depending on the size and number of employees of the establishment.

After the audit, the auditor prepares an audit report describing the findings.

A – Full conformity

  • The audit report is sent to the Certification Body for final review and decision.

B – 1–5 non-conformities

  • The establishment must submit additional evidence addressing the non-conformities.
  • Documentation must be submitted within two months.
  • The auditor reviews the additional evidence and sends the audit report to the Certification Body for final review and decision.

C – More than 5 non-conformities

  • The establishment must submit additional evidence and undergo a follow-up on-site audit.
  • Documentation must be submitted within two months.
  • The auditor reviews the additional evidence, conducts the follow-up audit and sends the audit report to the Certification Body for final review and decision.
  • Please note that the establishment must cover additional audit and travel costs.

3. Certification decision

An independent entity (Audit Independer) reviews the final audit report and takes a decision as to whether the establishment fully conforms with the required Green Key criteria.

Going Green informs the establishment about the decision.

If certification is granted, Going Green sends the certificate valid for two years.

4. Ongoing conformity during the certification period

During the certification period, the establishment must continuously conform with Green Key requirements.

If the establishment cannot maintain conformity, it must inform Green Key immediately so the certification can be temporarily suspended.

If complaints are received during the certification period:

  • The establishment must respond to enquiries from the Certification Body (Audit Independer).
  • If the complaint is confirmed, the establishment must correct the non-conformities.
  • Certification may remain suspended until conformity is restored.

Between 8–14 months after certification, the establishment must undergo surveillance activities.

This includes providing updated documentation demonstrating ongoing compliance with selected Green Key criteria identified by Green Key.

If surveillance activities reveal non-conformities:

  • The establishment must correct the issues.
  • Certification may remain suspended until compliance is restored.

Certified establishments must also pay the annual Green Key levy (participation fee) and annual Certification Body fee to maintain certification.

5. Renewal of the certification

Approximately 6–8 months before the certificate expires, Going Green contacts the establishment to encourage renewal.

To renew certification, establishments must again complete:

  • Step 1: Application
  • Step 2: Audit
  • Step 3: Certification decision

The establishment must continue to meet all applicable imperative criteria. In addition, the minimum proportion of guideline criteria to be met increases as participation in the programme continues.

You can also see the Green Key certification timeline document for an overview of the process.

Liability notice

When establishments are certified with Green Key, it is because these establishments have demonstrated to third-party auditors that they conform with the Green Key criteria at the time of the audit based on a representative sample of evidence. The Green Key certification is subsequently confirmed by an independent Certification Body.

During the certification period, the establishments accept full responsibility to ensure continued conformity with the Green Key requirements.

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), its officers, members, or partners do not have any responsibility to any person in the event of non-conformities with the Green Key criteria in a certified establishment. FEE excludes liability for all such matters to the fullest extent permitted by law.”