The Blue Flag has become the definitive international measure of beaches since it began back in 1985. It is a highly effective monitoring system because it measures everything for accessibility for disabled visitors through to the amount of bins provided and litter left on the beach.

The International Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label awarded to beaches and marinas in 30 countries in Europe along with Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand on an annual basis.

The Blue Flag Campaign is owned and run by the independent non-profit making organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and is administered in the Province by TIDY Northern Ireland .

History of Blue Flag for Beaches

The Blue Flag was born in France in 1985 where the first French coastal municipalities were awarded the Blue Flag on the basis of criteria covering sewage treatment and bathing water quality. The French concept of the Blue Flag was further developed on a European level to include other areas of environmental management such as, waste management and coastal planning and protection. Besides beaches marinas have also become eligible for the Blue Flag.

The Blue Flag Campaign outside Europe

In 2001 FEE became a global organisation by changing the name from Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE) to Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

Several organisations and authorities outside Europe have made applications to FEE with wishes for co-operation on spreading the Blue Flag Campaign to non-European countries. The Blue Flag Campaign is already implemented in the Republic of South Africa, and FEE is currently working on implementing the campaign in 5 countries in the Caribbean. Canada and Chile are about to start the implementation of the Blue Flag Campaign. Further applications have been received from Australia, USA, Argentina and countries in South East Africa.