Our Structure
Green Key has a political structure determining the overall direction of the programme, an administrative structure in charge of the day-to-day programme administration and a conformity assessment structure.
1. Political Structure:
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is the official scheme owner of the Green Key programme.
As the Green Key programme was founded in Denmark before becoming a programme of FEE, the decision regarding the overall development of the programme is determined by a Green Key International Steering Committee consisting of two members of the founders from Denmark and two members of FEE.
2. Administrative Structure:
Like other programmes of FEE, Green Key has an international programme administration at the FEE Head Office (Green Key International) and the Green Key National Operators in more than 50 countries.
Green Key International is in charge of:
The overall administrative development and harmonisation of the Green Key programme
Contact with existing and new Green Key establishments in countries without a Green Key National Operator (initial contact and contact during the certification period)
Contact with existing and new international partners
Contact information for Green Key International can be found here.
In countries with FEE member organisations managing Green Key, their Green Key National Operators are in charge of:
The national administrative development and management of the programme
Contact with existing and new Green Key establishments at the national level (initial contact and contact during the certification period)
Contact with existing and new national partners
Contact information for Green Key National Operators can be found here.
3. Conformity Assessment Structure:
While the Green Key administration (Green Key National Operator, or Green Key International in countries without a National Operator) is having the initial contact with the participating establishments, the Certification Body has the overall responsibility regarding the on-site certification audits and the certification decision.
Auditors used in Green Key:
The Green Key programme only uses independent third-party auditors for the onsite certification audits. On the Auditors Information page, there is more information about the competences and requirements for auditors as well as the work of the auditors with Green Key on-site certification audits.
Certification Body used by Green Key:
The independent Certification Body used by Green Key (Audit Independer) has the overall responsibility in relation to approving third-party auditors and assigning auditors for onsite certification audits in Green Key.
Furthermore, the Certification Body is in charge of the certification decision, issuing the Green Key certificate, ongoing monitoring of conformity during the certification period (surveillance activities, decisions regarding suspension/withdrawal of certificates), and deciding on appeals and complaints.