The GreenFlag Association began at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic as a partnership between a leading South African environmental health and safety organisation, Apex Environmental, and enterprise and development agency, Supplier Development Initiatives (SDI). The initiative aimed to increase public awareness of the importance of proper ventilation of indoor spaces in preventing the transmission of Covid-19.
Similar to Blue Flag beach status and the Tourism Grading Council’s issuing of stars to tourism venues, Green Flag certification would signal to clients and customers that a venue is a safe space to visit or work in. By issuing certification to compliant facilities, it was felt that the GreenFlag Association could not only help make public spaces safer, but help them to avert national State of Disaster lockdowns.