If a campsite meets the Green Key criteria, it is not far from qualifying for The Flower and vice versa. The most important difference, however, is that The Flower requires that a substantial amount of the campsite’s energy comes from renewable sources and that more than half of the light bulbs are energy efficient, while a Green Key campsite is required to market a certain selection of organic daily commodities and is not allowed to use chemical pesticides. The greatest difference between the two is particularly the way in which the campsite documents its compliance with the requirements. The Green Key is based on inspection and statements while the Flower is primarily based on written documentation.




The Green Key is an eco-label awarded to companies in the accommodation sector, including campsites. To achieve The Green Key, the campsite must comply with the subsequent 72 environmental requirements dispersed over 12 action areas. This means that you are certain to minimise your environmental impact by spending the night at a Green Key campsite. The Green Key does not reduce the campsite’s high level of service, however, so you are still assured of staying at a comfortable campsite.

1) – Environmental management. 
– Someone must be appointed as environmental manager.
– A written environmental policy and written environmental goals must be prepared.
– A file must be started containing relevant information for customers and staff.

2) – Staff involvement. 
– At least one staff meeting per year for reviewing environmental conditions with the staff. 
– The environmental manager must attend courses on environmental matters. 
– The environmental manager must meet with the management at least twice each year to discuss environmental matters.

3) – Information for guests/Conduct. 
– Guests must be required to act in an environmentally responsible manner. 
– Written guidelines for employees regarding environmental matters, to enable them to advise guests. 
– Information on public transport and provision of green activities.

4) – Water.
– Water consumption must be read at least once every 30 days. 
– WC cisterns must not use more than 6 litres of water per flushing.
– No dripping taps, leaking WC cisterns, etc. 
– Water flow in hand showers must not exceed 10 litres per minute. 
– Water flow at taps on wash-hand basins must not exceed 8 litres per minute. 
– Urinals must not use more water than necessary, e.g. by using buttons, motion-detectors, etc. 
– Whenever washing machines or dishwashers are purchased, these must be industrial models unless there is another solution that is more eco-friendly and energy efficient. 
– The ambient temperature of any indoor swimming pools must be 2ºC higher than the temperature of the water in the swimming pool.

5) – Detergents and cleaning agents. 
– Detergents and cleaning agents must not contain substances prohibited in The Green Key’s requirements regarding cleaning agents and detergents. 
– If detergents are made available to guests, posters must be put up to inform them of the correct dosage. 
– Paper hankies and toilet paper must be made of unbleached paper or environmentally labelled paper.

6) – Waste. 
– Recycling must be provided for all categories of recyclable waste collected by the local authority in question. 
– Easily understandable sorting instructions must be provided to enable sorting at source. 
– Guests must have facilities for sorting their waste into a minimum of 4 categories + used batteries at centrally-located collection points. 
– Set up agreements with suppliers regarding collection of transit packaging and, where possible, other types of packaging.

7) – Energy.
– Power consumption must be read at least every 30 days. 
– The campsite must have a visit from an energy consultant at least once every three years. 
– Rooms heated during winter must be double or triple glazed. 
– The heat-exchange surfaces of the ventilation system as well as its hot and cold surfaces must be cleaned at least once a year.
– The ventilation controls in common areas and kitchens must be such that the ventilation is turned down or off when these areas are not in use. These controls may be manual.

8) – Restaurant, Café, Grillbar, Shop. 
– There is a smoke-free zone in the restaurant. 
– When buying new hooded or conveyor dishwashers, machines must be selected that use no more than 3.5 litres per basket. 
– Whenever new washing machines or dishwashers are purchased, these must be industrial models unless some other machine provides a more eco-friendly and energy-efficient solution. 
– Dishwashers must have signs showing how to use the machine most appropriately so as to minimise water consumption. 
– Grease filters in kitchen drainage systems must be cleaned as required but at least once a week. 
– All refrigerators and freezers that do not have an automatic defrost function must be defrosted regularly and at least twice a year. 
– Refrigerators, freezers and drying rooms/airing areas as well as ovens/cookers must be fitted with intact seals. All refrigeration units and evaporation surfaces must be cleaned regularly, at least once a year.

Stock requirements. 
– There must be a selection of at least 10 organic grocery products on sale in the shop (including dairy products, bread products, grain, flour, cornflakes or wine as well as other optional areas). 
– Items stocked may only include detergents and cleaning agents, soaps and shampoos that do not contain substances prohibited in The Green Key’s “Requirements regarding cleaning agents and detergents”. 
– Items stocked may only include kitchen rolls and toilet paper made from unbleached paper or environmentally labelled paper.

9) – Outdoor areas. 
– No chemical weed killers may be used unless there is a legal requirement in the interests of pest or weed control. 
– When purchasing new lawnmowers, these must either be electric or run on unleaded petrol, be equipped with a catalytic converter or be manually operated. 
– Watering using water from a water works may only take place between 6 pm and 7 am. 
– There must be a suitably sized zone for cyclists where there is no access for cars.

10) – Green Activities.
(Purely ideal criteria)

11) – Administration. 
– Writing paper and copier paper must be environmentally labelled (new purchases). 
– Computers and photocopiers must be equipped with an automatic standby function (new purchases). 
– If the campsite enters into new agreements regarding the production of its own stationery, brochures or other publications, this printed matter must either bear the Swan mark or be produced by an environmentally certified or EMAS-registered printing works.

12) – Cabins.
– Possible to read the electricity consumption of individual cabins (applies in the case of new cabins).
– Heat controls must be such that the heat is turned off or reduced to 18°C and the refrigerator is turned off when the cabin is not rented for a period of at least a week.
– Any new refrigerators purchased must have a category A or B energy rating. 
– The windows of cabins that are heated during the winter months must be fitted with double glazing or better. 
– Posters must be displayed urging guests to restrict their usage of lighting and heating. 
– A number of cabins must be non-smoking areas and this must be clearly shown on posters.




The Flower is the official eco-label of the European Union and guarantees that eco-labelled products comply with strict environmental requirements. Today, the eco-label is used in several different product categories – and more are being added all the time.

Overview of all the campsites with the topic ”Green Camping”.