Hospitality
Hospitality Certification
About the certification
Friend of the Earth Hospitality Certification applies the shared Friend of the Sea and Friend of the Earth Tourist Facilities Standard to the accommodation facility and activities included in an agreed audit scope. The assessment examines documented evidence relating to the site, management arrangements, energy and water use, waste, purchasing, guest information, community support, biodiversity, animal welfare and relevant sports activities.
Certification applies only to the facility, services and activities identified in the approved scope. It does not automatically cover every property operated by a hotel group, every external supplier or activities delivered outside the assessed facility. Any certification claim must identify the property covered by the valid certificate.
What can be certified
Hotels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts and other tourist accommodation facilities may be assessed. Certification applies to the named property and the accommodation services and activities included in the approved scope. Facilities or services outside that scope are not automatically covered.
What the standard covers
The facility must follow the applicable route for development on or near critical habitats. Evidence may relate to an environmental impact assessment or equivalent review, the compensation route specified in the standard, or confirmation that the facility was not built on a critical habitat.
Maintain a written policy covering the matters addressed by the standard, appoint a staff member responsible for implementation and issue the required performance report within 12 months of certification.
Commit to annual improvement in energy efficiency, train employees to reduce consumption and provide evidence of efficient electrical systems across the proportion of the facility specified in the standard, together with the required implementation plan for the remaining areas.
Install water-saving devices across the required proportion of the facility and maintain a written plan for the remaining areas. Operate a towel-reuse and bed-linen-change programme and train employees to reduce water consumption.
Maintain a plan to reduce waste generation, separate suitable materials such as cardboard, plastic, glass, metals and food waste, and document disposal in accordance with applicable national requirements. Staff must receive relevant waste-reduction training.
Document the selected purchasing routes for cleaning materials, food products, staff uniforms and other goods and services. The standard includes staged purchasing targets and implementation plans. Supplier or product evidence supports the facility assessment but does not automatically certify the supplier or each purchased product.
Provide guests with information on reducing impacts during their stay and on local biodiversity and ways to support its conservation.
Provide evidence of support for relevant local communities, traditions, biodiversity or conservation projects. The standard also addresses animal welfare and does not permit the facility to keep animals in captivity.
Where sports activities form part of the facility’s services, maintain an annual plan to reduce their impacts and follow the commitment specified in the standard for the applicable Friend of the Sea or Friend of the Earth sports certification route.
Assessment and certification
A qualified independent auditor appointed by the certification body examines the facility, activities and evidence included in the agreed scope. The certification body reviews the audit findings and any required corrective actions before making the certification decision. The approved certificate identifies the facility and scope that may be presented as certified.
How certification works
Step 1 — Submit the application: Identify the organisation, facility, location, accommodation capacity, services and activities proposed for assessment.
Step 2 — Confirm scope and costs: Agree the applicable property and activities, evidence requirements, audit arrangements and quotation before proceeding.
Step 3 — Complete the assessment: Provide the required records and access to the facility, relevant areas, staff and activities included in the agreed scope.
Step 4 — Address findings: Respond to non-conformities and submit the corrective actions, plans and evidence required by the certification body.
Step 5 — Receive the decision: The certification body reviews the assessment evidence and determines whether the agreed hospitality scope can be approved.
Step 6 — Maintain certification: Keep records and improvement plans current, complete required follow-up assessments and report changes affecting the facility, services or approved scope.
Certification costs
Audit costs and any applicable annual fee or royalty for use of the Friend of the Earth logo are calculated separately. Request a written quotation for the proposed facility, services and activities and confirm the applicable charges before proceeding.
Downloads
Provide direct links to the current Tourist Facilities Standard, the Preliminary Information Form and the Friend of the Earth logo-use rules. Each download should display its title, language, version or revision date and file format.
Verify certification status
Check the certificate holder, facility, approved scope and current status in the certification register. Contact Friend of the Earth if the public record does not make the property or service scope clear.
Frequently asked questions
No. Certification applies only to the facilities, services and activities identified in the approved scope. Other hotels, resorts or properties in the group are not automatically covered.
Hotels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts and other tourist accommodation facilities may be considered. The certification team confirms whether the proposed facility and activities fall within the standard’s scope.
No. The current standard requires evidence of compliance with at least one proposed option for each requirement. The certification body confirms which route and evidence apply to the facility.
The standard contains specified starting proportions, implementation periods and improvement plans for different purchasing areas. The auditor assesses the facility against the applicable requirement and its documented plan.
Only when they form part of the agreed facility scope and the relevant requirements are included in the assessment. Externally operated services are not automatically covered by the facility’s certificate.
No. The Tourist Facilities Standard states that the facility must not keep animals in captivity.
No. Certification approval and the applicable logo-use agreement must be in force before the logo is used. Any claim must accurately identify the facility and activities covered by the approved scope.
Use the application link below and describe the facility, location, number of rooms, guest capacity, services and relevant activities. The team will confirm the required evidence, assessment route and quotation.
Apply for Hospitality Certification
Submit the organisation and facility names, location, accommodation type, number of rooms, guest capacity, services and activities proposed for assessment. Include available evidence relating to site development, management arrangements, energy, water, waste, purchasing, guest information, community support, biodiversity, animal welfare and sports activities.
