Blue Flag beach

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The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator meets its standards. The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE, which is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation consisting of more than 100 organisations spreading 81 countries.^[1]

FEE's Blue Flag criteria include standards for quality, safety, environmental education and information, the provision of services, and general environmental management. The Blue Flag is hence sought as an indication of high environmental and quality standards.^[2]

Certificates, which FEE refers to as awards, are issued on an annual basis to beaches and marinas of FEE member countries by the Blue Flag international jury.^[3][4] For a beach to be awarded, it must meet at least thirty of the Blue Flag's criteria spanning four categories. Meanwhile, for a marina to be awarded, it must meet at least thirty-eight criteria spanning six categories.^[4] The awards are announced yearly on 5 June for Europe, Canada, Morocco, Tunisia, and other countries in a similar geographic location, and on 1 November for the Caribbean, New Zealand, South Africa, and other countries in the southern hemisphere.^{[citation needed]}

In the European Union, the water quality standards are incorporated in the EC Water Framework Directive.^{[citation needed]}