The Green Key application process consists of three parts

1. Sending the application documents

2. Receiving on-site audits

3. Decision by an independent entity (third-party verification)

For a short video about the Green Key Application Process, click on the image below:

1. Application documents

• Ahead of the first certificate, the applicant establishment sends in a completed application form and all required supplementary documents.

• Ahead of subsequent certificate, the applicant establishment sends in updates to the application material.

2. Audits

• On-site audits to the applicant establishments are as minimum carried out in year 1 (before receiving the certificate), year 2 and thereafter every third year.

• Off-site audits (document evaluation) are carried out in the years without on-site audits.

3. Decision making

• In countries with a national Green Key programme, an independent auditor or a National Jury decides on the Green Key certification.

• In countries without a national Green Key programme, an independent auditor decides on the Green Key certification.

General application process

Application process for new applicants*:

1. The establishment contacts the Green Key representative within the corresponding country.

2. Green Key communicates the application procedures and documents to be handed in.

3. The establishment sends the completed application form (including supplementary documents) and pays the participation fees.

4. The establishment receives an on-site audit by a trained Green Key auditor (or off-site audit in the form of a document check).

5. The application and audit report are presented to the National Jury for certification decision (or decided upon by the independent auditor).

6. If approved, the certified establishment receives the plaque and the certificate.
   (In addition, a Green Key flag can be purchased).

7. The Green Key certificate is valid for 12 months and must therefore be renewed annually.

Application process in the following years with on-site audits* (year 2 and normally every third year):

1. 3 months before the expiration date of the certificate, Green Key sends a reminder to initiate the re-application process.

2. The establishment sends the updated application material at least eight weeks before the expiration date of the certificate to Green Key.

3. The establishment pays the fees and receives an on-site audit.

4. The application and audit report are presented to a third-party entity (National Jury or independent auditor) for certification decision.

Application process in the years without on-site audits*:

1. 2 months before the expiration date of the certificate, Green Key sends a reminder to initiate the re-application process.

2. The establishment sends the updated application material at least six weeks before the expiration date of the certificate to Green Key.

3. The establishment pays the fees and receives an off-site audit.

4. The application report is presented to a third-party entity (National Jury or independent auditor) for certification decision.

*the application process may slightly vary in between countries with different Green Key National Operators.

Handling of non-compliances

• If it is observed during the on-site audit that an applicant establishment has non-compliances with imperative criteria, the establishment cannot be certified or re-certified.

• If the applicant establishment has 1-5 non-compliances with imperative criteria, the establishment must - in order to obtain or keep the certification - send additional evidence in relation to the non-compliances. The information must be sent within three months, and the auditor will check the additional evidence and confirm that the establishment can become certified or re-certified.

• If the applicant establishment has more than five non-compliances with imperative criteria, the establishment must - in order to obtain or keep the certification - send additional evidence and go through a follow-up audit. The information must be sent within three months, and a follow-up audit is organised after Green Key has confirmed full compliance for the establishment. The applicant establishment will have to pay the audit fees and travel expenses again.

Note

Please note that the Green Key application and certification process in general takes three to six months. The exact time depends on the readiness of the applicant establishment in relation to the compliance with Green Key criteria, the delivery of correct material and payment of participation fees by the applicant establishment, Green Key’s management, and the availability of the auditor in relation to audits.