Current practical guide
Preparing for Green Key Netherlands under the criteria from 1 October 2026
Since 1 October 2026, Green Key in the Netherlands has used international criteria and a revised certification system. For hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks and restaurants, preparation starts with the correct business category and evidence for each applicable criterion. This article covers Green Key Netherlands and the Dutch criteria; reading it in English does not change its jurisdiction.
Direct answer
Open version 1.2 of the Dutch criteria and use Mijn Green Key to determine which requirements apply to your business category and facilities. Then assign an owner and traceable evidence to each criterion. If you already hold a certificate, first check which transition arrangement applies to your audit.
See how PropCentree can help01
Which Green Key processes does this apply to?
This approach is for hospitality businesses in the Netherlands preparing for a first or subsequent audit under the criteria effective from 1 October 2026. The Dutch guide distinguishes hotels and hostels (HH), campsites and holiday parks (CHP), small accommodations (SA), conference centres (CC), restaurants and beach pavilions (R), and attractions or museums (A). Your category and facilities determine the selection. According to the Green Key Netherlands FAQ, an audit under the old criteria that took place before 25 September 2026 may be completed under the existing arrangements. The article describes Green Key Netherlands and Dutch criteria only; the English language does not extend that scope to another country.
02
Record the version, category and audit timing first
Record the criteria version, business category, relevant facilities and audit dates. Green Key states that existing participants do not need to register again; they move to the new criteria when they are certified under the new system. Ask Green Key or the auditor to confirm any different transition arrangement in writing.
- 01
Appoint the coordinator and a deputy
Criterion 1.1 applies to all six categories. Management appoints a permanent member of staff as coordinator and names a deputy. Record their names, contact details and responsibilities.
- 02
Keep the source version visible
Put the criterion number and the version used on every internal instruction. Before the audit, check Green Key Netherlands' current guidance.
03
Build one evidence matrix for the applicable criteria
Create one row for every applicable criterion, with its number, owner, storage location, status and next review date. Refer to the current guide. A tick without evidence that can be found does not help the auditor.
04
Store evidence where the work happens
The coordinator maintains the matrix; the operational team keeps the evidence. Housekeeping can manage product information and cleaning schedules, the kitchen can retain evidence about food waste, and technical records stay with the relevant installation. The matrix points to the source and names the owner of anything that is missing.
- 01
With the team
Have the department doing the work record the date, result and evidence using the terms from the criteria list.
- 02
In the central file
Keep the current matrix, management decisions and links to source files. Remove uncontrolled copies.
05
Check sustainability claims against the certification status
An independent Certification Body issues the new certificate. It is valid for two years, with an online surveillance audit in the intervening year. The bronze, silver and gold levels are being removed under the new system. On websites, booking channels and signs at the property, use only the status and validity period actually awarded. An internal score is not certification.
Practical example
Example of a compact evidence matrix
Four criteria show why applicability, ownership and evidence need separate fields.
| Criterion | Applicability | Owner | Evidence | Status and next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Coordinator | HH, CHP, SA, CC, R and A | Management and Green Key coordinator | Name, contact details, deputy and documented division of responsibilities | Confirmed, or appoint the missing deputy |
| 1.3 Action plan | HH, CHP, SA, CC, R and A | Management with the coordinator | Written plan for the certification period with actions, timeline and responsible person | Record the progress date and any decision still open |
| 1.21 Training | Frequency and content vary by category | Coordinator and team management | Subject, participants, department and date of the training | Schedule the next training under the applicable criterion |
| 6.15 Food waste | Five actions for all categories; an additional plan for HH, CHP, CC, R and A. For SA, that plan is recommended | Kitchen or F&B with the coordinator | Actions completed and suitable evidence; the plan as well where required | Assign missing evidence or an outstanding action to an owner |
PropCentree
Keep tasks and open points with the right location
PropCentree can schedule checklist runs for a location, room or piece of equipment and stores answers, photos and discrepancies with each run. This keeps the internal preparation traceable after your organisation has identified the applicable Green Key criteria.
- Version and runPublish a checklist version and record the location, answers, notes and photos for each run.
- Follow-up stays visibleAn answer that needs follow-up remains visible with the inspection.
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Deviation and follow-up
Treat missing evidence as an open action
Record the criterion number, the discrepancy, its owner, the correction and the review date. Close the point after an appointed reviewer has checked the new evidence. If applicability is unclear, ask Green Key Netherlands or the auditor for an explanation and keep the answer.
- 01
Open the action
Describe the discrepancy, assign the action and note which source or specialist is needed.
- 02
Complete the action
Keep the new evidence, the reviewer's details and any follow-up that remains open.
Additional questions
Additional questions
Which Green Key criteria are currently in force?
Green Key Netherlands publishes version 1.2 for the period from 1 October 2026 through 31 December 2031. Before using it, check the criteria page and Mijn Green Key for changes.
Does an existing Green Key business need to register again?
No. According to the Green Key Netherlands FAQ, the transition takes place when the business is certified under the new criteria. For an audit already in progress, check which transition arrangement applies.
How often should staff receive sustainability training?
Criterion 1.21 varies by category. Hotels and hostels, and campsites and holiday parks, provide annual general training plus department- or role-specific training. Small accommodations, restaurants and cafés, attractions, conference centres and seasonal businesses provide at least one sustainability training session a year. Read the guidance for the target group and audit evidence.
Sources and editorial review
Sources and editorial review
These sources were checked before publication. For operational decisions, always consult the current primary source.
PropCentree editorial team- Green Key - Criteria and guidance, version 1.2
Supports the validity period, business categories, mandatory coordinator and deputy, action plan, training, food-waste measures and the related audit evidence.
Scope: Dutch translation of Green Key criteria version 1.2 for hotels and hostels, campsites and holiday parks, small accommodations, conference centres, restaurants and beach pavilions, and attractions or museums. This source and article concern Green Key Netherlands and Dutch criteria; the English translation does not change the jurisdiction. · Accessed: 2026-11-08 - Green Key and the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive
Confirms that new international criteria and a revised certification process have applied since 1 October 2026, and that Audit Independer Group acts as the independent Certification Body.
Scope: Green Key participants and hospitality businesses in the Netherlands; guidance from the Dutch scheme owner on the revised certification system. This source and article concern Green Key Netherlands and Dutch criteria; the English translation does not change the jurisdiction. · Accessed: 2026-11-08 - Green Key - Frequently asked questions
Supports the transition for existing participants, completion of an audit under the old criteria that took place before 25 September 2026, and the removal of bronze, silver and gold levels under the new system.
Scope: Current transition information from Green Key Netherlands; the individual business's actual audit and certificate status remains decisive. This source and article concern Green Key Netherlands and Dutch criteria; the English translation does not change the jurisdiction. · Accessed: 2026-11-08 - Green Key - Certification steps
Describes the self-assessment, physical audit, role of the Certification Body, two-year validity and the online surveillance audit in the intervening year.
Scope: Certification process for Dutch Green Key applicants and participants under the new system. This source and article concern Green Key Netherlands and Dutch criteria; the English translation does not change the jurisdiction. · Accessed: 2026-11-08 - Digital checklists for hospitality
Supports the product claim that checklist versions, the location of a run, answers, photos and discrepancies can be recorded and followed up with the run.
Scope: Public product information about PropCentree's current checklist and inspection features; it does not cover a Green Key audit or certification. The surrounding article concerns Green Key Netherlands and Dutch criteria; the English translation does not change the jurisdiction. · Accessed: 2026-11-08