Organizations and Main Roles Involved in Green Key Certification
Division of Roles: International Headquarters, Japan's Operational Window, and Certification Body
International
- Ownership and development of the Green Key program
- Provision of support materials and training resources
- FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), established in 1981, is one of the world's largest environmental education organizations with over 110 member organizations in more than 85 countries.
- The Green Key program is operated under FEE.
- Japan's exclusive National Operator
- Primary contact point for certified and applicant facilities
- Acceptance of domestic applications and provision of information
- Promotion of environmental education and sustainable tourism understanding through training and study sessions.
- Management of the certification process
- Coordination and assignment of audits
- Evaluation of application documents and audit reports
- Final certification decisions and certification management
- Approval, training, and appointment coordination of auditors
Details
Effective October 1, 2026, Green Key has appointed the Audit Independer Group as an independent certification body. This is intended to strengthen the independence, transparency, and integrity of the certification system, as well as enhance the framework to adapt to changing regulatory environments.
| Organization | Main Role |
|---|---|
| FEE / Green Key International (International Headquarters) FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), established in 1981, is one of the world's largest environmental education organizations with over 110 member organizations in more than 85 countries. | Ownership and development of the Green Key program, provision of support materials and training resources |
| Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies JARTA is Japan's sole National Operator for Green Key, accredited by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education). | Continuing to serve as the primary contact point for certified and applicant facilities as Japan's National Operator |
| Audit Independer Group | Management of the certification process, coordination and assignment of audits, evaluation of application documents and audit reports, final certification decisions, certification management, and approval, training, and appointment coordination of auditors |
In Japan, facilities participating in the Green Key program deal with JARTA as the contact point for registration and audit application procedures, and with the Audit Independer Group as the contact point for procedures ranging from on-site audits to certification.
- Acceptance and management of registrations
- Review and acceptance of application documents
- Notification of certification results to the facility
- Issuance and mailing of certification certificates
- Review of application contents
- Execution of document reviews and on-site audits
- Evaluation of compliance with criteria
- Determination of certification eligibility
Introduction: To Participate in the Green Key Certification Program
1. Registration: To begin with Green Key, registration is required. Please contact JARTA.
2. Review: JARTA checks whether the registered contents of the applicant facility meet the conditions of the Green Key certification program.
3. Completion of Registration: Facilities deemed eligible will complete the registration procedure through the following steps:
A) Issuance of the Green Key membership agreement and the invoice for administrative registration fees.
B) Upon submission of the membership agreement and payment of the administrative registration fee, a dedicated account for the online reporting system will be issued.
C) Guidance will be provided on how to operate the online reporting system, criteria, and the certification process, as well as future procedures. Following this, facilities will work on completing their reports.
First-Time Facilities: Audit Flow
- Online reports and evidence documents
- Contracts and agreements
- Payment of participation fees
- Coordination of dates and fees
- Opening meeting and document review
- Facility inspection and closing meeting
- Review of the final audit report
- Determination of full compliance with criteria
- Verification of corrective actions as necessary
- JARTA notifies the facility of the result.
- Issuance and sending of the certification certificate
- Guidance regarding plaques, flags, etc.
Audit Flow Details
To apply for an audit, the following conditions must be met. While application timing varies by country, JARTA accepts audit applications year-round in Japan.
- Submission of reports and evidence documents for each Green Key criterion on the online reporting system.
- Signing and returning the certification agreement.
- Green Key membership agreement.
- Payment of Green Key participation fees.
JARTA reviews the submitted materials to ensure all necessary information has been provided and verifies the scope of certification. Upon confirming the payment of the Green Key participation fee, JARTA requests the certification body to conduct the on-site audit.
After reviewing the application contents, the certification body appoints an auditor and conducts an on-site audit.
The certification body directly invoices the certification and audit fees.
Coordination of Audit Schedule
- The certification body or the appointed auditor will contact the facility to coordinate the audit schedule.
- Subsequently, the certification body will invoice the facility for the certification body fees and auditor fees.
- Prior to the on-site audit, the auditor receives all audit documents from the Green Key operational secretariat.
Audit Process
On-site certification audits are generally conducted according to the following flow:
- Opening meeting
- Document review (may also be conducted in advance)
- Visual inspection of the facility
- Briefing on audit results and closing meeting
The audit duration varies depending on the size of the facility and the number of employees. For details, please refer to "Information Regarding Green Key Fees." After the audit, the auditor compiles the findings into an audit report and proceeds with the tasks in accordance with procedures A, B, and C below.
Expected Results
A: Full Compliance
- The audit report is sent to the certification body for final review and certification decision.
B: 1 to 5 Non-Conformities
- The facility must submit additional evidence (corrective action plan and report) regarding the non-conformities.
- The required documents must be submitted within 2 months.
- After the auditor reviews the additional evidence, the audit report is submitted to the certification body for a final decision.
C: 6 or More Non-Conformities
- The facility must submit additional evidence and undergo a re-audit, which may include a repeated on-site audit.
- The required documents must be submitted within 2 months.
- After reviewing the additional evidence and conducting the audit, the auditor submits the audit report to the certification body.
- In this case, the facility is required to bear additional audit fees and travel expenses such as transportation costs.
The certification body reviews the final audit report and determines whether the facility fully complies with the Green Key criteria.
Upon receiving the report from the certification body, JARTA notifies the facility of the decision result.
If it is proven that the facility fully complies with the Green Key criteria, certification is granted, and JARTA will send a certification certificate valid for two years. Additionally, JARTA will provide guidance on Green Key merchandise, such as display plaques and flags.
2nd-Year Facility: Surveillance Audit (Periodic Audit) Implementation
Document-based periodic audit to verify continuous compliance after obtaining certification.
- Conducted in years without an on-site audit
- 8 to 14 months after obtaining certification
- Verify maintenance and improvement of certification
- Specified criteria items
- Submit latest evidence documents
- Demonstrate continuous compliance
- The certification body verifies compliance
- Non-conformities are resolved promptly
- Handle inquiries regarding complaints
What is a Surveillance Audit (Periodic Audit)?
Certification does not end once it is acquired; continuous maintenance and improvement are required, and this audit is conducted to verify that. Between 8 and 14 months after obtaining certification—in years when an on-site audit is not conducted—facilities must undergo a surveillance audit (periodic audit). This audit involves submitting the latest documents demonstrating ongoing compliance with specified Green Key criteria items.
Maintenance of Continuous Compliance and Handling of Complaints
During the certification period, facilities are required to continuously maintain compliance with Green Key requirements. If any non-conformities are identified during a surveillance audit (periodic audit) or other checks, the facility must promptly take corrective action. If compliance cannot be maintained or until it is restored, certification may be temporarily suspended.
If any complaints regarding compliance are received against the facility during the certification period, the following responses are required:
- The facility must respond to inquiries from the certification body.
- If the content of the complaint is verified, the facility must rectify the non-conformity.
- Certification may remain suspended until compliance is restored.
Associated Fees
JARTA: Green Key annual membership fee
Certification Body: Certification fees only. Auditor fees do not apply.
For details, please refer to "Information Regarding Green Key Program Fees."
3rd-Year Facility: Renewal of Certification
Approximately6 to 8 monthsbefore the expiration date of the certification, JARTA will contact the facility and guide them through the renewal procedure.
To renew the certification, facilities must complete Steps 1 through 4 once again, following the "First-Time Facilities: Audit Flow."
Upon renewal, facilities are required to meet the target achievement rate for optional criteria established according to the number of years they have participated in Green Key.
Facilities in the 4th Year and Beyond
Through the periodic audits and certification renewals conducted each year, we hope you will continue to develop your initiatives and contributions to stakeholders—including guests, the local community, employees, and the supply chain—and further enhance your value as a facility promoting sustainable tourism. Sustainability comes from your mind, hospitality comes from your heart!
1. Registration (JARTA)
2. Submission of Application Documents (JARTA)
3. Audit (Certification Body)
4. Certification Decision (Certification Body)
5. Notification of Results (JARTA)
Time Required from Audit Application to Certification Procedures
Certification Procedures The Green Key certification process typically takes 4 to 6 months.
Details
Factors Affecting the Duration
- Status of preparation for compliance with the criteria
- Timely submission of complete documents
- Status of payment for fees required for the certification application
- Processing time by JARTA
- Availability of auditors capable of conducting on-site audits
- Corrective actions taken in case of non-conformities
- Time required for the final decision by the certification body
Transition Period(October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027)
With the introduction of the new certification methodology, Green Key is changing the validity period of certification from 12 months to 24 months,while also revising the audit frequency. During the transition period (October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027), the following cases apply:
During the transition period (October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027), the following cases apply:
Case 1: New Applications
- Compliance with the new criteria is required.
- The certification body conducts an on-site audit.
- The certification body grants certification.
- Certification period: 2 years.
Case 2: Facilities already holding Green Key and requiring renewal with an on-site audit
- Compliance with transition requirements regarding new criteria and optional criteria standards is required.
- The certification body conducts an on-site audit.
- The certification body grants certification.
- Certification period: 2 years.
Case 3: Facilities already holding Green Key and requiring renewal via a surveillance audit (periodic audit) without an on-site audit
- The certification body conducts a surveillance audit (periodic audit).
- The certification body confirms the continuation of certification.
- Certification period: 1 year. (Special measure applied during the 2026–2027 transition period)
