RADCHENKO, V and ALEYEV, M., 2011. Blue Flag Program Implementation Prospective in Ukraine. In: Micallef, A. (ed.), MCRR3-2010 Conference Proceedings, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 61, pp. 52–59. Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy, ISSN 0749-0208.

Blue Flag is one of the well known programs of ecological certification leading its participants to an internationally-recognized eco-label award. The program is targeting promotion of sustainable development of the beaches and marinas through the introduction of water quality, environmental education and information dissemination, safety and security, and also ecological management set of criteria based on EU 2006 Bathing waters quality directive requirements. The program has big potential in Ukraine and particularly in the Crimea as a famous recreational region. The longevity of the Ukrainian Black sea coast is approximately 2500 km, with roughly 10% of it being situated in the Crimea. There were about 1007 beaches functioning in Ukraine in 2008 - in Crimea, Donetsk, Zaporozhiye, Nikolayev, Odessa and Kherson regions and in Sevastopol. Among them 881 are sea coast beaches and 126 are located on rivers. However, not all of them comply with national and with Blue flag standards. Due to non-compliance some of them are closed during part of the season. In accordance with national legislation in Ukraine, fresh and marine water quality is monitored by certified sanitary laboratories of the Ministry of Healthcare. There are particular national legislative documents and governmental authorities that are dealing with the issue of drinking water quality (GOST 2874-82, SDSS 383 (186/1940)). Among problems in the field of beach management one could mention problems with the identification of bathing waters itself. There are attempts to introduce ecological management that is regulated by the Law of Ukraine “On environmental protection”. In accordance with this law, the aims of State regulation in the area of environmental protection are implementation of national legislation, control of ecological safety regulations compliance, ensuring that all measures necessary for environmental protection are taken, along with sustainable use of natural resources. The set of safety and services criteria is one of the easiest to comply with. The Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency is responsible for the enforcement of safety standards. However, the national legislation on ecological management is undeveloped. That's why the Blue Flag meets great support in Ukraine at a regional level. In 2008 two Crimean cities expressed interest in the Blue Flag program implementation and as a result, four beaches have participated in pilot stage of the Blue Flag program. After the 2009 season monitoring results, these beaches became participants at full stage of the program in 2010.