BLUE FLAG CRITERIA FOR BEACHES
The Blue Flag for Beaches is valid only during the bathing season. The Blue Flag season coincides with the bathing season. Any beach is potentially eligible for the Blue Flag. Local authorities interested in participating should begin by examining the level of current use as well as projected use of the beach in the context of its existing infrastructure and services. This should be done both to assess the need for additional services and infrastructure but also to assess the long term impacts, especially in the case of natural beaches where nature and landscape protection should be high priorities.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
IMPERATIVE
o Bathing water quality and Blue Flag information must be published on the beach
o Five environmental education activities must be offered to the public
o There must be information posted or published on protected sites or species in the area of the beach
o There must be prompt public warnings in case of gross pollution or other dangers
o The beach regulations and code of conduct must be posted on the beach
GUIDELINE
o The community should offer visitors and the local population an environmental interpretation centre, ecology centre or similar permanent public or school environmental education facility.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
IMPERATIVE
o There must be an environmental plan for the development and use of the coastal area of the community
o There must be sufficient litter bins on the beach to keep it clean o The beach must be cleaned on a regular basis; daily in the peak season
o Recreational activities on and in the vicinity of the beach must not interfere with nature protection
o There should be an emergency plan covering response in the case of pollution incidents
GUIDELINE
o There should not be any algae or other vegetation left to decay on the beach
WATER QUALITY
IMPERATIVE
o Compliance with the standards and requirements corresponding to those of the EU Bathing Water Directive concerning the parameters of faecal coliform and faecal streptococci. These standards cover fortnightly sampling during the bathing season and compliance with both guideline and imperative values
o Compliance with the EU Waste Water Directive
o The beach area must not be affected by industrial or sewage related wastewater
o There must not be any signs of gross pollution from oil, human waste or other sources in the beach area
SAFETY AND SERVICES
IMPERATIVE
o The beach must have easy and safe access
o There must be sufficient and clean public toilets by the beach, the sewage disposal of which is controlled
o There must be sufficient lifeguards or lifesaving equipment to ensure response to an emergency anywhere on the Blue Flag beach
o Recreational activities in the beach area must not endanger any beach user
o First aid must be available on the beach
o The access of dogs and domestic animals to the beach must be restricted and controlled
o There must not be any camping or unauthorised driving on the beach
GUIDELINE
o There should be a free source of drinking water
o There should be public telephones available by the beach
o There should be access and facilities for people with disabilities
o The beach facilities should be properly maintained. The National Blue Flag Jury and the European Jury reserve the right to refuse the Blue Flag to beaches in communities where the authorities are responsible for current violations of environmental regulations or otherwise act or allow conditions contradictory to the objectives and the spirit of the Blue Flag Campaign.
